BARRHEAD — Fun fact: did you know that you don’t require a licence to go fishing on the Family Day long weekend in Alberta?
Those wanting to take advantage of that fact and maybe participate in a fun, family-friendly event may want to sign up for the Lac La Nonne Enhancement and Protection Association’s (LEPA) annual fishing derby on Sunday, Feb. 19.
“If you’re not a big fisherman, and you want to get out and try it, that’s a good opportunity if you can grab ahold of some (fishing gear),” said LEPA president Rod Kause.
As explained on LEPA’s website (www.lepa-ab.com), the annual derby hosted on the frozen surface of Lac La Nonne is a catch-and-release event designed to promote lake education and family fishing, as well as serve as a fundraiser for LEPA.
“It’s all about getting the kids out and having a good time,” Kause added.
Registration opens at 9:30 a.m. at the Lac La Nonne Education Centre at Klondike Park. Those who catch a perch or pike between the hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. are entered into a draw for items donated by local businesses and individuals.
Kause said they have a group of folks that like to donate to the fishing derby each year and they have some pretty good prizes up for grabs. The draw for prizes will take place at 2:30 p.m.
The full list of rules for the derby can be found at the LEPA website, though it should again be stressed that this is a catch-and-release event, so you need to be prepared to return the fish to the lake.
To enter, every participating family must purchase a $20 LEPA membership and pay an additional $5 for every family member who wants to fish.
Typically, they get a couple hundred people out to each year’s fishing derby, Kause indicated.
When asked if the warm weather will pose any safety issues, Kause said he was just out fishing over the Feb. 4-5 weekend there was still about 18 inches to two feet of ice on the surface of the lake.
That said, if the temperature suddenly drops to an unbearable degree or a storm blows up, the derby might need to be postponed. Kause said they had to delay the derby for a week in 2022 due to freezing temperatures.
On a final note, he said they plan to have a food truck on site selling burgers, hot dogs, pop, coffee and other items.
LEPA is a not-for-profit association dedicated to projects and activities that improve Lac La Nonne and educating members/the public about the importance of responsible management.
.jpg;w=120;h=80;mode=crop)
