14th Annual Art Hansen Memorial Youth Fishing Contest

Type: Nontidal
Region: Eastern
Location: Ocean Pines Southgate Lake

Ocean Pines Anglers� hosted the 14th Annual Art Hansen Memorial Youth Fishing Contest on Saturday, July 24th at the Ocean Pines Southgate Lake. A total of 115 young anglers braved the 105� heat index and caught a total of 155 fish. The fishing was a little slow due to the heat however some kids were catching bass over 14 inches. The contest was divided into three age groups with a 1st, 2nd & 3rd place (for largest fish) in each group and the most fish in each group. The winners received a fishing rod & tackle package, trophy, and a Diamond Jim T-shirt from MD DNR.

A variety of fish including white perch, largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill were caught including two 9� perch caught by Vance Jenkins and Erin Sewell to take the top honors in the 4-7 year and 12-16 year age groups. There was a tie for 1st in the 8-11 age group with both Hunter Gross and Matt Repko reeling in a nice 14 � � largemouth bass.

I was there to represent DNR-Fisheries in support of this event and to advance one lucky angler as part of the Youth Component of the Maryland Fishing Challenge featuring Diamond Jim Grand Finale ceremony. Timmy Patschorke, age 12, was the lucky angler selected to move on to the finale which will be held in conjunction with the Maryland Seafood Festival on September 11 at Sandy Point Park.