Skip to content
Fish for free on Canada Day at the Tillsonburg Fishing Derby
Get your family’s fishing rods – and pail – ready for the 2023 Tillsonburg Fishing Derby on Canada Day.
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Traditionally held on the first Saturday of an Ontario ‘fish for free’ week, this year Tillsonburg’s free family fishing derby at Lake Lisgar is Saturday, July 1st.
“I am hoping, because everyone is used to doing something on Canada Day, it’s actually going to bring out more people and we’ll have a spectacular turnout,” said Mike Dean, co-sponsor and organizer of the 9th annual event with his wife Rosemary Dean. “It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
“People don’t have to have a licence to come out,” Rosemary noted.
Last year there were 300 registered participants, five shy of their best derby. They are hoping to match that or set a new record this year.
“We’re hoping families come out and start the same traditions that we had with our kids and grandkids,” said Rosemary. “That’s what we’re trying to instill in people.”
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
“We want people who are thinking, ‘What am I going to do on Canada Day?’ to come to the fishing derby,” said Mike. “It’s 100 per cent free for kids, adults, seniors, anyone. We try to gear it toward families, spending time with the kids… having a fun time with your kids.”
The derby takes place at Lake Lisgar from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration on July 1st takes place that morning at the boat launch, near Gowrie Street and Park Ave, south of the Lake Lisgar Water Park. Register whenever you arrive – you don’t have to register at 7 a.m. – and get your grab bags for the kids.
“We’ve got grab bags for every participant,” said Mike. “Prizes, first-third, for every prize category. And door prizes. We want to entice people to come out and play.”
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
The Bob Izumi foundation has returned as sponsors, contributing a shipment of T-shirts, fishing poles and lures for the event. Canadian Tire Tillsonburg, the Tillsonburg Kinsmen Club, Advanced Automotive and several individuals are among this year’s sponsors.
Fishing is done either from the shore or boat – paddle or electric motor (gas-powered boats are not allowed on the lake).
“I don’t think there’s an advantage to the boats versus the shore fishing at Lake Lisgar,” said Mike. “We’ve had some awfully big fish caught from shore and the docks. Over by the fountain is where some of the big bass are caught – and you can fish that spot right from the shore. And the trout are all over the place.”
The Deans stress the derby is always catch-and-release. That means bringing your pails to help keep the fish healthy for counting/measuring before live releasing them.
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
“We want to try to keep the lake healthy,” said Mike. “I do have some pails, a limited number, but if you have a pail, bring it. Every year we get new pails, but every year some of the pails don’t come back.”
The only cost is if you need bait. Worms will be sold on site.
Rapid Relief Team is again providing free lunch (hot dogs and pop/water) to participants. Prizes will be awarded after 1 p.m. as soon as results have been tabulated.
Free fishing will continue in Ontario from July 1 through to July 9. Ontario’s free family fishing weekends this year were Feb. 18-20, May 13-14 and June 17-18, coinciding with the Family Day, Mother’ Day and Father’s Day weekends.
