Nearly 100 people enjoyed a recent Saturday morning around Hechenbleikner Lake for the fourth Chancellor’s Fishing Derby.
A catch-and-release competition designed for employees and their families, the Chancellor’s Fishing Derby had 53 total participants divided into two sessions vying to win prizes in various categories.
Winners of the first session were:
- Thomas Lebowitz caught the most fish (27)
- Madison Lebowitz reeled in the heaviest largemouth bass
- Joshua Lebowitz and Sebastian Russell tied for youngest participant to catch a fish (both are 3 years old)
- Paul Dilgard won the longest distance cast (on land) at 92 feet; he is a three-time champion in this event
Session two winners were:
- Max Stamey caught the most fish (11)
- Julia Wang reeled in the heaviest largemouth bass
- Victor Klibanov, at 2 years old, was the youngest participant to catch a fish
- Thomas Lebowitz cast the longest distance (85 feet, on land)
Hechenbleikner Lake, located near the main entrance to campus, is stocked with largemouth bass, crappie, carp, bluegill and bream.
University Recreation, the UNC Charlotte Bass Fishing Club and various campus partners sponsor the Chancellor’s Fishing Derby, which has become an annual fall tradition. The first derby was scheduled for fall 2016; inclement weather postponed it until spring 2017.