Learn the best fishing spots and how to get started fishing at Lake of the Pines.
The Clubhouse Courtesy Dock was the spot to be for young and adult anglers for the Annual Spring Derby on Saturday, June 1. An estimated 90 people arrived, many toting fishing rods, coolers and dreams of catching the big one; all for prizes and bragging rights. For many folks, this is an annual event to look forward to each summer. The low-key competition is broken up into three categories. Prizes were awarded to the winners in each division group for Largest Bass, Smallest Fish and Combined Weight. There were 36 adults (16 and over) and 29 juniors (15 and under) who participated in the fishing derby. Following check-in, Mary Heaton sang our national anthem. Thank you, Mary Heaton, for singing our national anthem again this year, it is always a pleasure having you there to start the derby off. Some people couldn’t wait to grab their poles and head for the water to try their luck at catching the big one.
Volunteers from the LOP Fishing Group were on-hand to assist with baiting hooks, removing fish and providing other expertise. In addition, Randy, Rich and Joe from Berkley Fishing Company provided fishing education and fish casting demonstrations. This was especially helpful to folks who have never done any fishing. Berkeley is a fishing tackle company and one of the major sponsors for the LOP Fishing Derby this year.
The Fishing Director, Chris Swindell was having a lot of fun going around weighing all the fish and meeting most of the participants while his Assistant Director, Rusty Stadtman was busy selling shirts and hoodies, and manning the awards and prizes to be handed to each individual winner. The Mazzeis, Steve and Lauren, were also busy grilling, and providing hotdogs and chips to participants and parents. Another year of success again for the fishing derby. This is a fun family event for all to enjoy. We just love to see the kids come out and get excited because they knew there were trophies and prizes to be awarded. We want to have the kids put those cell phones down and enjoy the natural resources we have in our community.
Below are the winners in each group:
Biggest Bass-Adult Division
Richard Moreno-5 pounds, 13 ounces
Biggest Bass-Junior Division
Rory Ahrens, Jr.-3 pounds, 7 ounces
Biggest Sunfish-Junior Division
Talon Sawyer-1 pound, 12 ounces
Smallest Sunfish-Junior Division
Daniel Krall-0.20 ounces
Combined Weight-Adult Division
First: Richard Moreno-10 pounds, 1 ounce
Second: Rory Ahrens-8 pounds, 12 ounces
Third: Maryrose Barnhurst-7 pounds, 9 ounces
Combined Weight-Junior Division
First: Rory Ahrens, Jr.-6 pounds, 13 ounces
Second: Andrew Moreno-5 pounds, 7 ounces
Third: Travis Stevenson-3 pounds, 12 ounces
We want to thank everyone who participated in this year’s Spring Fishing Derby. Handing out trophies and giving out such great raffle prizes always puts a smile on our face. Thank you to all the LOP Fishing Group members who have worked hard throughout the year to bring us all such a special event. Thanks to our awesome sponsors who donated prizes, and the outstanding community support. We could not do this without you. Stay tuned for other LOP Fishing Group fundraising events and activities. Contact Director Chris Swindell at 401-0318 or Assistant Director Rusty Stadtman at (916) 502-1558.
General Info
Join the LOP Fishing Facebook Group! Click Here!
You Can’t Fight These Big Fish
SECTION V. SPORT FISHING -PER LOP.ORG
1. A float-tube is defined as any fishing tube or other device from which a person is fishing, including but not limited to rafts, inner tubes, pontoon type portable boats, or any similar devices.
2. The planting / stocking of fish, other aquatic animals, or plants in LOP waters is prohibited unless approved in writing by the Board of Directors and General Manager.
3. All LOP waters (main lake, Hazel Lake, Huck Finn Pond, entrance pond) are open to sport fishing all year, day and night.
4. Youths under 16 must abide by minimum size and possession (bag) limits established for licensed anglers.
5. All fishing laws and regulations of the State of California apply to all LOP waters and anglers. State Fish and Game Wardens are authorized to enforce all such laws/rules in LOP waters.
6. When boats towing persons on devices are in the 35 mph area of the lake, fishing is restricted to the 5 mph (flat wake) areas.
7. Sunset to sunrise, fishing boats must display an anchor light or navigation lights as required by California law.
8. Minimum size limits and daily possession (bag) limits per angler are: a. Bass (largemouth, smallmouth, redeye): 14 inches or longer; bag limit 2. b. Catfish and bullheads: No size limit; bag limit 10. c. Pan fish (redear sunfish, bluegill, black crappie, green sunfish); no size limit; bag limit 10 in aggregate.
9. The following are prohibited: a. Use of live fin-fish (minnows) for bait. b. Spear fishing. c. Fishing from Association beaches or swimming areas. d. Fishing from private lakefront lots and docks without permission from the owner. – 9I –
10. Anglers are encouraged to practice catch-and-release fishing all year for bass. Anglers are also urged to not catch large numbers of bass or redear sunfish on their spawning beds from April through June.
11. The main lake is closed to all fishing when the RED FLAG is flying from the pole on the Clubhouse Point and/or Southshore Park (4).
12. Non-member/guest anglers must be accompanied by their sponsoring LOP member. Unaccompanied violators will be asked to leave and the sponsoring member cited.