Fishing is a leisure activity, but it can also be a competitive sport. Typically, it’s the former which happens at Hinkle and Deegan Lakes, but once a year, anglers get serious. Sponsored by Bridgeport Parks and Recreation and Dick’s Sporting Goods, the Ace of the Lakes fishing tournament is scheduled for Saturday, June 1.

 

Two-person teams must register by 5 p.m. Thursday, May 30. The registration fee is $20 per team. Participation is limited; 15 boats on Deegan Lake and 10 boats on Hinkle Lake. Anglers will be accepted on a first-come, paid basis.

 

Registered teams must check in between 6-6:15 a.m. on Saturday, June 1 at the Deegan lake boat launch ramp and will thereafter be assigned a lake. Bridgeport Parks and Recreation will do its best to accommodate lake preferences. Early registration makes it more likely that preferences will be accommodated.

 

Fishing will take place between 6:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Fish will be weighed beginning at 1 p.m. A penalty of 5 percent of total weight will be deducted for each minute anglers are late.

 

Scoring will be determined by total weight of bass and trout caught with a limit of five fish total per person. Eleven inches is the minimum tournament length and tails do not need to be fanned. Live wells or fishing baskets are required and all fish will be returned to the lakes following the tournament.

 

First through third places will be awarded with trophies and gift cards to Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Earning first-place bragging rights last year were Jimmy Cooper and Joey Burner, both of Bridgeport.  

 

"My friend Joey and I have fished the tournament together for about 12 years now. We won first in 2009 and 2018 and have been second and third several times as well," Cooper said. "We have some great stories and always look forward to it. Last year was our best year so far! We managed to catch the limit of 10 keepers and total weight was 11 pounds 10 ounces - both tournament records." 

 

Cooper said Bridgeport Parks and Recreation, especially Director Joe Shuttleworth, make the tournament fun and competitive. 

 

"There are several teams that have fished it for many years and always some new faces as well," Cooper said. "Some years, a lot of fish are weighed in and some years just one big fish - three to five pounds - can win it or at least place. It's a wonderful event and I always enjoy the weigh-in at the nd to see how everyone did."

 

Cooper said his wife Molly and daughters always come to see the weigh-in. Spectators are welcome. 

 

The fishing tournament is a longtime tradition in which many locals take part. Many of the competitive fishermen return each year in pursuit of a victory, Shuttleworth said.

 

The lakes will be off limits to all contestants for fishing from Wed., May 29 through 6:30 a.m. on tournament day. 

 

A registration form and tournament rules are attached HERE.