Jon Thompson of Cedarville and Erica Laysell of St. Ignace joined the Cedarville Shanty Town Fishing Derby Saturday, March 6, and Sunday, March 7, and nabbed first place in two divisions. Mr. Thompson is the winner of the perch division, while Mrs. Laysell is the winner of the pike division. Both won $300 and a fishing shanty for their achievements. Shane Spiker trotted into the fish measuring tent on Muskie Bay, eager to have his pike and perch sized up for the Cedarville Shanty Town Pike and Perch Fishing Derby Saturday, March 6. His grandfather, Robert Winberg, followed closely behind, taking care not to slip on the icy ground, and watched as the fish were set to a measuring tape. The pike and perch yanked up from the freezing waters were 24-and-1/16 inches and 7.5 inches, respectively, although the 10-year-old was not ready to pack his gear and head home. A broad smile crossed his face when he learned he could hit the ice again and try to haul up more fish in an effort to win the youth division prize.

Shane Spiker of Cedarville shows off the pike he caught during the Cedarville Shanty Town Fishing Derby Saturday, March 6. His grandfather, Robert Winberg of Cedarville, attended the competition with him, enjoying a relaxing day of fishing. Many families competed in the derby from Saturday, March 6, to Sunday, March 7, with 110 entrants erecting wooden shanties on the waters of Cedarville, each one casting their lines trying to win the $300 prize for adults and $50 prize for children.

Mr. Winberg treated his grandson to fishing trips on Muskie Bay for the past three weekends. He reminisced about the times he first took Shane fishing about five years ago.

“When I first took him, he couldn't bait his hook,” he said. Now Shane is pulling up native Cedarville fish regularly, owing to the frequent fishing trips they make.

Ron Massey of Cedarville brought his young son, Chase, to the derby, as well. By Sunday afternoon, Chase enjoyed taking second place in the perch division with his 11-and-3/8 inch fish. Mr. Massey and his son took to the waters for the past five weeks, his son enjoying the thrill of dragging up wriggling fish from the depths.

Fishermen sat on the ice, intently watching their bobbers for a bite that could result in a cool cash payout. Dick Freel of Cedarville eagerly joined the derby with the other hopefuls.

Fishing gives Mr. Freel the chance to relax, focus on the sport, and enjoy the scenery, he said. His family takes part in the sport, as well, so it plays a major part in their lives.

Some fishermen returned from the effort empty-handed, while others discovered their fish were too small to register. Some fish taunted the competitors, darting past the lines without stopping for a nibble.

“You could see them, but they just wouldn't bite,” said Ralph Russel of Cedarville.

Sunday afternoon, the fishermen gathered in the weighing tent for the final results. The ice was gradually melting and leaving puddles of water. Children took advantage of the water, splashing each other with a few quick swipes of their feet.

Erica Laysell of St. Ignace took first place in the adult pike division. She also won the Island Idol award for catching a pike longer than last year's 24 inches. Jon Thompson of Cedarville won the perch division, along with the Master Angler award for registering the most legal fish.

Proceeds from the fishing derby benefitted the Fund the Future campaign, which aims to reduce Les Cheaneaux Schools' deficit. The event raised $2,768 for the effort.