B.C. Derby Offers Cash to Hook Invasive River Fish

OliviaJuly 29, 20251 Mins read25

Cash Rewards Hook Anglers in B.C.’s Invasive Species Derby

Invasive species and fishing derby take center stage this summer in British Columbia, as local anglers gear up to help restore native fish populations—hook by hook.

The Castlegar Invasive Fishout Derby returns from August 15 to 24, inviting residents and visitors to cast their lines into the Columbia River system. Their mission? Reel in as many walleye and northern pike as possible—two species that pose a serious threat to native fish like Kokanee and trout.

Casting for a Cause (and Cash)

For just $40, participants stand a chance to win a share of $3,250 in total prize money. The event is backed by sponsors such as Columbia Power, All In Fishing Adventures, the Okanagan Nation Alliance, and Destination Castlegar.

This isn’t just a competition—it’s conservation in action. Every fish caught is a step toward rebalancing the local ecosystem.

Prizes That Reward Precision and Luck

Multiple prize categories mean more ways to win:

$750 for the total length of the 10 longest walleye
$750 for the longest single walleye
$500 for second-longest walleye
$300 for third-longest
$65 daily draws for stomach content photo or video submissions
$200 for the hidden-length walleye challenge
$100 random draw prize for any northern pike entry

Each entry supports an important mission—and could land anglers some serious rewards.

Where to Fish and How to Join

The derby spans the Columbia River system, with boundaries from the Hugh Keenleyside Dam and Highway 3A bridge upstream, down to Waneta Dam and the Canada–U.S. border.

To keep it fair and legal, all participants must follow B.C.’s provincial fishing regulations. The tournament is run through the MyCatch app by Angler’s Atlas, so every entry is tracked and verified digitally.