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 Beautiful weather provided 51 youth and their families with a great opportunity to catch fish. Birch Lake was calm, but fish were definitely biting. Over 5 fish per youth were caught on average. Christian joined us for his final summer in the fishing contest and promptly caught a 20 oz. bass.  Not to be outdone, Maverick caught 42 fish all on his own.  What a wonderful start to this year’s series of contests.

Kids fishing contest ages 0-5

At the Hackensack Kid’s Fishing Contest Tuesday, June 10, 10 kids in the 0-5 year old group, caught and released 18 fish. David E. caught the largest fish (4.6 oz.); Lucas L. reeled in the first fish; Jasper landed the most fish (11); and Ramond P. hooked the smallest fish (3 inches).

Kids fishing contest ages 6-9

On June 10, Hackensack Kid’s Fishing Contest, 11 kids in the 6-9 year old group, caught and released 61 fish. Calvin D. caught the largest fish (4.4 oz.); Liyah P. reeled in the first fish; Liam F. landed the most fish (20); and the smallest fish award was shared by Vivienne S. and Hunter W. (2 3/4 inches) .

Kids fishing contest ages 10-15

In the 10-15 year old group, Tuesday, June 10, 30 kids caught and released 192 fish. Christian S. hooked the largest fish (20 oz.); the first fish was caught by Oliver V.; Maverick K. caught the most fish (42) and the smallest fish (2 1/4 inches) was landed by Charlie E.

Minnow Racing Winner

David P. of Randall was last week’s minnow race winner.

Grand Prize Winner

Forest L. from Aitkin took home top honors from the June 10 Children’s Fishing Contest. Photos submitted.

   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 Birch Lake Association (www.mybirchlake.org). As the first sponsor for the year, they were awesome at helping to clean the cobwebs, counter tops, etc. Thank you so much for your donation and your time, it was very appreciated.

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

   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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