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   Today we had the most youth we have had in a long time.  And conversely, a new record, the least number of fish per youth. We had 153 youth catch 154 fish. At one fish per youth, it is well below the average of 3 per youth. Even though the fish were not cooperative, the weather was. The sun was shining and the wind was a relief from the heat.

   We had a 3-way castoff for the casting contest, and two 2-way castoffs for ties for most fish in the 0-5 and 6-9 age groups. Emersyn was the castoff winner in the 6-9 year old group, but came up to us before prizes were given and she wanted to keep the winner certificate, but make sure the other castoff participant Emery received the tackle box prize. What a gracious winner!

   This year some of the members of the Hackensack Chapter of the Izaak Walton League will be attending the contests on June 24, July 22, and August 12 to raise awareness of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s ‘Get the Lead Out’ program. Please go through your tackle boxes and bring all your lead tackle to them. They will turn it in and in return give you a sample of lead-free tackle.

   The hot dog sponsor this week was Gallery of Homes Real Estate Group in Pine River, MN (galleryofhomesmn.com). Thank you for your help cooking and serving hot dogs.

The dates for this year are every Tuesday, June 10th – August 12th, 2025 from 11am - 12:30pm. Be early to register before it starts. We look forward to seeing everyone that can make it.

Grand Prize Winner

Ethan S. of Golden Valley, MN took home top honors from the July 1 Children’s Fishing Contest. Photos submitted.

Kids fishing contest ages 0-5

At the Hackensack Kid’s Fishing Contest Tuesday, July 1, 43 kids in the 0-5 year old group, caught and released 16 fish. Bryson M. caught the largest fish (3.0 oz.); Arthur D. reeled in the first fish; Jace E. landed the most fish (6); and Sutten G. hooked the smallest fish (4.5 inches).

Kids fishing contest ages 6-9

51 kids in the 6-9 year old group, caught and released 40 fish. Donavan G.. caught the largest fish (5.5 oz.); Reva R. reeled in the first fish; Emersyn A. landed the most fish (6); and the smallest fish award went to Beau D. (3.06 inches) .

Kids fishing contest ages 10-15

59 kids caught and released 98 fish. Tanner P. hooked the largest fish (24 oz.); the first fish was caught by Iris A., Eli P. caught the most fish (18) and the smallest fish (2.5 inches) was landed by Cullen E.

Minnow Racing Winner

Noelle V. of Grand Rapids, MN was last week’s minnow race winner.

Casting Contest Winner

Isaac A. of Minneapolis took home top honors in the casting contest.

   Visit our Facebook page to view the weekly photos. You can search Facebook for “Hackensack Children’s Fishing Contest” and click on the Photo Album link on Facebook. Once on the photos page, you can select Album and go to the week you would like to look at.

   If you are interested in helping as a volunteer or in sponsoring our contest next year, contact Bill Kennedy at 218.838.9468 or [email protected].

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