HOWELL – Anglers made their way out to Echo Lake for the 19th Annual Baxter’s Fishing Derby and 2nd Annual Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs Fishing Derby.
This year, Howell Township decided to combine two of their popular events into one big celebration.
“For 2023, we combined Baxter’s Fishing Derby (usually held in October) and Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs (held on the first Saturday in June) event to make it our biggest collaboration for a fishing derby yet. With this year being the 19th annual Baxter’s Fishing Derby, we expect it to be even better next year to memorialize the 20th anniversary of Robert Baxter III,” Steven Fecher, Director of Community Relations, said.
The Baxter’s Fishing Derby originally started in 2005 to honor Robert Baxter III. He was a Howell Police Officer who was taken at an early age of 23 in 2003. Baxter was an avid fisherman that enjoyed spending his recreational time fishing, so the Baxter’s Fishing Derby has been named in his honor since then.
“Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs” is a program created by the NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife with the goal to encourage school-aged children to avoid tobacco, drug and alcohol usage by providing alternate activities. This involves learning to fish, appreciating aquatic and environmental resources and developing positive life skills. Last year was the first year Howell Township took on the event.
Fecher said that combining the two events made them even more special, promoting youth fishing alongside the impact Baxter has made to the community’s youth.
“What stood out most this year was the collaboration of so many organizations who in one way or another, contributed to the successful event,” Fecher said. “Any time groups or organizations take a vested interest in their community to create a better quality of life, it is always appreciative knowing that the ultimate reward are smiling faces from children, parents and families alike.”
This year’s sponsors included: The Baxter Family, NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife, Howell Township Governing Body & Manager, Howell Township Municipal Alliance, Optimist Club, Howell Township Department of Community Relations, Spring Lake Fishing Club, Howell Township Department of Public Works, Lake Restoration & Wildlife Management Committee, Stop & Shop of Howell, Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services & US Army.
The “fintastic” day out in nature led young fishers ages 5 to 14 to catch a total of 65 sunfish, trout, bass and pickerel during the three-hour derby. The top winners for this year are as followed:
Ages 5 to 7:
Smallest: Mellani Ayala – 4 ½” Bluegill Sunfish
Largest: Brady Carroll – 15” Pickerel
Most: Hunter Albert – 3 Total
Ages 8 to 10:
Smallest: Colton Edson – 5” Bluegill Sunfish
Largest: Nolan Siller – 13 ½” Pickerel
Most: Ryan Stevens – 9 Total
Ages 11 to 14:
Smallest: Nelson Aleman – 6” Bluegill Sunfish
Largest: Andrew Hana – 14 ½” Pickerel
Most: Kailey Castellano – 5 Total
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