Upper Ottawa Valley OPP officers will be helping children learn the joys of fishing this summer during the annual Kids, Cops and Canadian Tire Fishing Derby on Saturday August 9, 2025.
Children will join local Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers to go fishing from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon along the shores of the Ottawa River at the Pembroke Waterfront Park. Free to children 12 and under, the catch and release derby will feature giveaways
and prizes for the largest fish caught in various age categories. Young anglers are asked to bring their own rods, reels, and bait as well as an adult buddy.
Registration will take place at the Pembroke Waterfront Park on the day of the derby starting at 8:30 a.m. There is no pre-registration
and entries will be capped at 100 youth.
This event is sponsored by Fishing Forever, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to funding worthwhile fishing, conservation, and education projects. It is also supported by Canadian Tire, Dean Burchart of Royal LePage Edmonds & Associates, the Pembroke
Police Service Board, OPP Youth Foundation, Ontario Provincial Police Association, Police Association of Ontario, Giant Tiger, The Wholesale Club, Pembroke Mall, Renfrew County Crime Stoppers and Allan’s Bait and Tackle.
According to Bob Izumi, chair of Fishing Forever, there is nothing that puts a smile on a kid’s face faster than catching a fish. “That’s why I love to create opportunities for children and families to go fishing,” states Izumi. “Fishing is one of the very best ways for parents and other adults to establish productive and healthy relationships with children.”
To learn more about Kid’s, Cops and Canadian Tire, please visit www.kidsandcops.ca, or contact Jessica at events@kidsandcops.ca or by calling 1-877-822-8881.
(Richard Evans)