Fishing Derby hosted by Exeter Lions
Fishing Derby takes place first Saturday in May
The family-friend annual Trout Fishing Derby is usually held on the first Saturday in May.
Thanks go to Exeter Lions Club for having hosted the 40th Annual Fishing Derby at Morrison Dam Conservation Area.
The fishing derby took place on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
The event was a great success with more than 250 registrants and the winning fish was a whopping 18.5 inches in length!
A lot of fish were caught and it was a great day had by all, according to Lion Paul Scott.
There were 15 volunteers from Exeter Lions Club who made the event possible.
There were prizes and the Lions sold four cases of French Fries, 160 hot dogs, and 78 breakfast sandwiches.
The stocking of Rainbow Trout, in Morrison Reservoir/Lake, for the derby, is made possible thanks to Exeter Lions and Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation and everyone who supports the work of the Conservation Foundation through donations and support of fundraisers such as the Conservation Auction and 50-50 Raffle Draw.
In this short video reel, volunteers from Exeter Lions Club, and staff from Ausable Bayfield Conservation, help to stock the lake with Rainbow Trout:
The music (Happy Kids) is courtesy of Tunetank and Pixabay.com.
The annual Trout Fishing Derby took place on Saturday, May 2, 2026 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. noon.
The derby takes place at Morrison Reservoir (Morrison Lake) at Morrison Dam Conservation Area.
Thefishing derby is sponsored by Exeter Lions Club and Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation.
The registration fee was $4 for ages 17 and over.
The registration fee was $2 for ages 16 and under.
Every child receives a prize.
Food and beverages are available for purchase.
As per provincial legislation, any person accessing these waters must be equippped with personal flotation devices.
The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation, " ... has been a proud partner in the fishing derby for many years and it has been a wonderful way for young people to be active outdoors and to enjoy nature.”
The annual event is ideal for young anglers and is made possible thanks to sponsorship by many local businesses (many of which generously sponsor year after year) who donate prizes and money to purchase prizes for the participants.
The longevity of this event has been possible because of a partnership between the Exeter Lions Club and the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation. Each year, the two organizations purchase Rainbow Trout and stock the Morrison Dam Reservoir for the derby.
Participants are also reminded that most Canadian residents need a Fishing Version Outdoors Card and licence to fish in Ontario if they are between the ages of 18 and 64 years old.
For more information visit: https://www.ontario.ca/document/ontario-fishing-regulations-summary
Fishing, at Morrison Dam Conservation Area east of Exeter, was temporarily closed from Tuesday, April 28, 2026 until Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 8 a.m.
This closure was to help preserve the Rainbow Trout that are stocked for the Exeter Lions Club’s 40th Annual Trout Fishing Derby.
This temporary closure is meant to improve the angling experience for the young people who are participating in this longstanding community event.