BELWOOD LIONS PIKE DERBY 2025
RULES & REGULATIONS
(Stuff we have to add to keep things running smoothly!)
1. Entrants 9-14 years are only eligible for the Youth Category and to be awarded prizes within the Youth Category. Youth entrants are not eligible for the Adult Category. All youth 14 years and under must have written and signed permission from a parent or legal guardian (for insurance purposes). Juniors 8 years and under will be recognized during the closing draw. Proof of Age may be required.
2. All participants agree to abide by all the regulations of the fishing and boating related legislation and these regulations of the BELWOOD LIONS PIKE DERBY. Registration receipt on your phone or printed is required to be valid for participation in the Derby.
3. All Fish must be caught in Belwood Lake above the Shand Dam.
4. The Derby commences at 6 A.M. Saturday Morning and ends Sunday Afternoon at 3P.M. The competition & Belwood Erni's Restaurant GRCA parking opens at 6:00 a.m. Normal GRCA per person entry fees for Pike Derby registrants will be waived for the derby (boat launch fee $13.50 is applicable) at Erni's Restaurant boat launch only.
5. Fish will only be measured at one of the two OFFICIAL STATIONS, one at the Dock at Belwood Hall, the other at Highland Pines Campground Dock. The stations will be open 7 A.M. until 8 P.M. Saturday, 7 A.M. until 3 P.M. Sunday.
6. Only fish caught after Derby Registration, within boundaries described in Rule #3 and during the BELWOOD LIONS PIKE DERBY may be entered. All fish entered will be measured and released back into the lake. Fish must be fit for live release within 15 minutes of reporting to one of the official stations. Any fish not surviving the trauma of release will be disqualified.
7. Only One Fishing Rod may be used per person (additional rods may be in the boat, but not used in the water). All fish must be caught using legal angling tackle. Any evidence of gill net, gaff or snag marks will immediately disqualify that fish from the competition. Frozen or gutted fish will not be accepted as entries. Fish must not be on a stringer
8. When fishing from a boat, ALL occupants must be registered entrants before fishing in the derby and be able to show proof of registration. All fish must be caught by the registered angler entering the fish. The presence of ANY unregistered boat occupants will immediately disqualify that fish from the competition.
9. Entries are restricted to PIKE and WALLEYE. PIKE measuring 20” in length or greater and/or WALLEYE measuring 18 1/8" or greater will be accepted for entry. An angler can only register one WALLEYE greater than 18 1/8” per day (as per provincial regulations). Any attempt to falsify entries will result in forfeiting of prizes and elimination from the Derby.
10. Fish may be entered only once. Participants may win only one major prize (except raffle & 50/50 prizes).
11. The First Prize (for longest pike or walleye) in each category will be won by the pike/walleye determined to be the longest not the heaviest. The second prize in each category will be won by the next longest pike/walleye. The third and subsequent prizes by the next longest length, and so on. All fish will be measured from the nose tip to the end of the compressed tail.
12. In case of a tie, the winning pike/walleye will be the earliest measured.
13. Major prize and raffle prize winners must be accepted as awarded.
14. All decisions by the judges will be final. In case of a dispute, all disputes must be filed in writing with the Derby Chairman within 15 minutes after the Derby closes at 3.00pm
15. The Belwood Lions, The Grand River Conservation Authority, sponsors, organizers or their agents will not be liable for the loss of or damage to property, or the injury to any contestant or spectator.
16. Awards and raffle prizes will be presented in the Belwood Hall on Sunday evening at 4:00 P.M. Major awards and raffle prize winners will be notified by phone or email if not in attendance at Award presentation)
17. Entrants agree to allow their picture to be used for publicity purposes.
ZERO TOLERANCE - ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE – OPP ENFORCED - ALL ANGLERS MUST BE PROPERLY LICENSED AND FOLLOW ALL FISHING & BOATING RELATED LEGISLATION - MNRF ENFORCED

USEFUL INFORMATION 2025
1. If a portable live well is not owned, place the fish in a plastic bag (available at the Belwood Hall), add water and lay carefully in the bottom of tub, bucket or boat.
2. Boat launching is available at Belwood Erni's restaurant boat launch access (see above rules for boat launch fee). Please note this area gets VERY busy at the start /end of each competition day. Belwood Lions volunteers will be there to help keep order and assist if required. Be patient, be courteous and have your boat packed and ready to launch BEFORE you enter the slip.
3. Belwood Erni's Restaurant GRCA Boat Launch will open at 6.00am
4. OPP & MNRF WILL be out on the lake checking angling licenses and for other infractions. Don't wreck your weekend with an unwanted ticket!.
5. During the derby, check the latest leader board ONLINE at "pikederby" facebook page. REMEMBER: just because your fish is not as large as the scoreboard leader, have it registered anyway. You may qualify for one of the great second, third or fourth prizes, AND you will receive a 'grab bag' for registering your fish

REPORT RESOURCE ABUSE OR OTHER VIOLATIONS TO 1-877-TIPS-MNR (1-877-847-7667)