Youngsters and their families are expected to line Sarnia’s riverfront in early July in a Bluewater Anglers derby to catch en masse an invasive species – the goby – that feeds on other fish eggs.
The annual no-fishing-licence-required event held during Ontario Family Fishing Week – this year from July 2 to July 10 – is making its return after a two-year hiatus amid COVID-19, said Lou Dallaire, event co-ordinator with the non-profit club that helps replenish fish stocks in local waterways.
Typically, 100 to 150 people cast lines between Ferry Dock Hill and the Government Docks to fill their buckets with as many gobies as they can and compete for prizes, Dallaire said.
“There’s also several prizes for those who aren’t at the top of the list,” he said. “It’s just a fun event.”
It’s “pretty easy” to catch the prolific gobies, he said. The fish species is native to eastern Europe but began showing up in the St. Clair River in 1990 after it’s believed they arrived in the ballast water of ships.
“Basically, put your line down with a light sinker and a tiny hook near the bottom and they’ll be there,” Dallaire said.
Families and teams compete together. The goby hauls brought in from 8 am to 11 am on the July 9 Family Fun Fishing Day will then be divided by the number of anglers per group after they’re weighed at the club’s hatchery by the Blue Water Bridge in Point Edward.
Derby marshals will also help measure other fish that get pulled in – prizes are available for those too – before they’re thrown back, Dallaire said.
“Gobies do not go back into the water,” he said.
Sign-in for the free event happens in Centennial Park, near the MacPherson Fountain, club officials said. Everyone must sign in to receive a bucket and get tickets for free hotdogs and pop at the weigh-in.
Children younger than 12 must be accompanied by adults, and a limited number of fishing rods and bait will be available at sign-in, officials said.
More details are available at bluewateranglers.com.