A quick thank you goes out to the sponsors who made the Neil McKenzie Memorial Youth Fishing Derby a fun event for kids on Saturday, June 10, 2017!

A formal thank you listing all the sponsors -- and photos from the day -- will be posted next week.

Thanks, everybody, for all you do to "Keep Kids Fishin'!"

Saturday is fast approaching! We're all set with pontoons, volunteers, food, drinks, and a lake full of fish! It looks like it's going to be a warm one on the 10th so remember to bring the sun screen, and hats and drink LOTS of water!

Registration has now closed! Thank you to all who registered, we look forward to seeing you on June 10th for a great day of fishing. If you missed the registration deadline, we are very sorry that we will miss you this year. We hope you find a different opportunity to get your kids out fishing or spending time with nature!

Pre-registration is required for all fisher-kids! If you haven't already, make sure you get your kids registered this week. We are set to close registration on Saturday the 20th. We still have plenty of spots available, but they tend to fill up fast!

Registration has opened up this morning, May 1st. The age range for this year's derby is 5 - 15 years old.

With this day of fishing, we honor the memory of Neil McKenzie, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, neighbor, an amazing man. Neil was an avid outdoorsman and loved to get kids outside, enjoying the beauty and bounty of the land. With this in mind, our mission is, and always has been, to bring the gift and joy of the outdoors to kids who wouldn't normally have an opportunity to fish.

Do you know a kid that would love to learn to fish, but they don't have anyone in their life to show them how? Have their parents register them for this year's derby, on June 10th.

Registration will be closing on May 20th, so register soon to reserve you spot!

Pre-registered kids are assigned to boat/pontoons for tomorrow's fishing derby.
Check-in 8-8:30 a.m. to get on the water as soon as possible to begin fishing!  
Lunch and fish weighing, 12-1 p.m.
Kids may weigh the biggest fish they catch of different species (legal bass, perch, crappie, sunfish, rock bass, or maybe even a northern!?)
Cake, door prizes, program, and trophies after lunch.

​BRING SUNSCREEN AND WATER!

Thank you to everyone who pre-registered!  We are now planning for the day and coordinating boats, fishing guides, pontoons, and drivers to ensure kids have a great day fishing on the lake.  

Watch for more information here and on Facebook leading up to the June 11, 2016, fishing day!

For now, please PRE-REGISTER your kids so we can plan spaces for them in boats or on pontoons.

If you are interested in providing a pontoon on Deer Lake or being a driver or fishing guide, please let us know!  Volunteers are needed for site set-up, transportation of equipment, food preparation, and more!

A sincere thanks goes out to all who, through the years, have made this a very special day for kids.  The goal is to take kids fishing who might not have the opportunity to experience this outdoor activity.  Thank you, everyone, for what you give in time, talents, and donations to "Keep Kids Fishin'!"

This is a free event for kids, co-sponsored by friends and family of Neil McKenzie and the Polk County Sportsmen's Club.  Special thanks to The New Lagoon Campground and Condominium Association for providing the site on which the event is held each year.  We look forward to another fun day for kids!