SARATOGA SPRINGS — The annual Father’s Day Kids’ Fishing Derby returns to Lake Lonely this year, offering a chance for fathers and their children to bond while competing for prizes.
Held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Father’s Day, June 18, the derby is free to attend, and is for children aged 14 and under, to be accompanied by an adult guardian. Free hot dogs, chips, and beverages will be served, and prizes will be awarded.
The derby is sponsored by a variety of local organizations and businesses, including the Saratoga Basspointers Club, the Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 2586, Saratoga Springs Professional Firefighters Union No. 343, Saratoga Springs Recreation Department, Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge No. 161, D&D Marine Services, Saratoga Tackle, Wiggly Worm, and more.
Stuart Mintzer, a co-founder of the Saratoga Basspointers Club, said the club began assisting the Fraternal Order of Eagles with running the derby, and currently helps with marketing, advertising, promotion, and running the event. Bruce Jones and John Huppuch are also co-founders of the Basspointers Club.
Mintzer said the derby seems to get “bigger and bigger” each year.
“I think the last year, we had over 100 people between parents and kids in attendance,” said Mintzer. “Maybe more (this year), but certainly close to that for sure. It takes place rain or shine.”
The derby offers prizes for several categories: pike, sunfish, bass, and pickerel. Mintzer said prizes are given out by age group, with the three largest catches in each age group receiving a prize.
“It’s all catch and release, and we give prizes out for age groups for the first, second, and third-biggest fish,” Mintzer said. “We try to make sure as many kids walk away with something (as possible).”
Fathers and guardians are not allowed to fish, instead assisting their children. Mintzer said a majority of children who participate are between the ages of five and ten, saying, “They just get a thrill out of it.”
Members of the Basspointers Club volunteer to help run the derby on Father’s Day. The derby also features appearances from the Saratoga Springs Fire Department, who bring a firetruck, and the Saratoga Springs Police Department, who bring their horseback team for photos and interaction with the children.
Mintzer also mentioned that the New York State Office of Environmental Conservation has been involved in recent years, promoting the philosophy of “fishing as a sport with conservation in mind.”
“Which is why we want to do catch and release and promote catch and release. Artificial bait rather than live bait,” Mintzer said. “We just love spreading the word about fishing and conservation, and just how nice our local waters are.”
The derby offers a chance for a unique experience on Father’s Day, with Mintzer saying, “People are really looking for something different to do.”
“I mean, what better thing for a father to do than to take his kid fishing?” said Mintzer. “It kind of panned out that there’s more people than we thought that are looking for something like this. More and more came as we helped promote the event. It’s just become this event that we’re really proud to be a part of.”
The Father’s Day Kids’ Fishing Derby will be held June 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Lake Lonely, at 373 Crescent Ave in Saratoga Springs. For more information, call 518-587-3421.
