HOWELL – A beautiful, sunny Saturday at Echo Lake welcomed local fishing lovers to enjoy nature and fish for a good cause.
Over 85 participants joined in the 20th annual Baxter’s Fishing Derby and 3rd annual Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs Fishing Derby.
In 2023, the Howell Township Recreation Department decided to combine two of their popular events: Baxter’s Fishing Derby (usually held in October) and Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs (held on the first Saturday in June).
This year, the event was extra special as they memorialized the 20th anniversary of the event dedicated to Robert Baxter III.
“The Baxter’s Fishing Derby/Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs has to be one of my favorite events for the community,” said Steven Fecher, Director of Community Relations. “Twenty years ago, the Recreation Department was approached about honoring the late Robert Baxter III, a Howell Police Officer who was an avid fisherman, enjoyed spending his recreational time fishing on the lake. Since then, his parents, Robert ‘Bob’ Baxter II and Barbara Baxter have grown very near and dear to me and I appreciate what they do for the younger generation and the sport of fishing.”
“Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs” is a program created by the NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife with the goal to encourage school-aged children to avoid tobacco, drug and alcohol usage by providing alternate activities. This involves learning to fish, appreciating aquatic and environmental resources and developing positive life skills. Howell Township first took on the event in 2022.
Fecher said the Fishing Derby not only promotes youth fishing, but shows the impact Baxter has made to the community’s youth.
“One of the biggest reasons this event is so successful is due to the collaboration of 11 groups that play an integral part in planning out the event, setting up, to looking to improve what we can do better next year,” Fecher said.
This year’s sponsors included: The Baxter Family, Howell Township Governing Body & Manager, NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife, Howell Township Municipal Alliance, Optimist Club, Howell Township Department of Community Relations, Spring Lake Fishing Club, Howell Township Department of Public Works, Lake Restoration & Wildlife Management Committee, Stop & Shop of Howell, and Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services.
Young anglers ages 5 to 14 reeled in multiple fish during the derby, including sunfish, trout, bass and pickerel. The following were winners in the smallest, largest, and most fish caught categories:
Smallest Fish Caught
- Ages 7 & under – Brooke Archer
- Ages 8 to 10 – Colton Edson
- Ages 11 & older – Logan Holton
Largest Fish Caught
- Ages 7 & under – Hailey Schremer
- Ages 8 to 10 – Sawyer Edson (biggest of the day, 15” pickerel)
- Ages 11 & older – Hunter Reed
Most Fish Caught
- Ages 7 & under – Liliana Dunn
- Ages 8 to 10 – Bodhi Bourke
- Ages 11 & older – Gavin Marantz
