During the winter of 1988, Peter Bingeman of Bingeman Park and Nelson Murakami of Natural Sports discussed the idea of a community fishing event that would highlight the local fishin on the Grand River. At the time many people didn't realize the incredible natural resource they had, literally in their own back yard. In partnership with the Optimist Club of Stanley Park the region's first bass Derby was established.
The primary objective was to highlight and promote local fishing on the Grand River, educate people in 'Catch and Release' (which was a new term back then) as well as offer a fun-filled, family-oriented event. Another initiative was to measure the fishing on the river by way of a creel census survey that compared the hours spent fishing to the number of fish caught. 30 years of tracked data has been used to help manage the fishing on the river and provided incomparable insight for the Ministry of Natutal Resources and the Grand River Conservation Authority.
It is the hope of the Grand River Bass Derby organizers that people will continue to enjoy fishing and recreation on the River and endeavor to protect and enhance the resource in every way possible.  Thank you for your support!

The Club sponosred, and helped operate, the Grand River Bass Derby for many years. It was co-hosted by Natural Sports and based at Bingemans in Kitchener.

This was a family fishing event hosted by the Optimist Club of Stanley Park with a minimal entry fee and no charge for children. There were two Divisions: Adult/Open and Youth with separate trophies and awards for the top 5 finishers in each. 

At the closing ceremony on the final day, all the children and youth received a complimentary package of fishing gear (as shown in the photo below from 2004). Most, if not all, registered participants in the Adult Division received a door prize and/or participation gift. Everyone went home with something! 

This fun-filled Live Release Derby was held on the Grand River with the Derby headquarters and measuring station at Bingemans Park and/or Natural Sports in Kitchener. Only smallmouth bass caught in the Grand River were eligible and had to be brought in alive for measurement and then subsequent release back into the Grand. All proceeds from the Derby, mostly from sponsorships, were ear-marked for enhancement to public access on the Grand River. The Stanley Park Optimist Natural Area is one result!

Grand River Bass Derby Rules & Regulations as revised in 2016

1.  Registration Cards must be picked up before fishing at Natural Sports before 9:00 pm Friday July 3 or on Saturday at the Derby Measuring Station at Natural Sports from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m
2.  All participants agree to abide by the regulations of the Fish & Game Act, the Department of Transport and the Grand River Bass Derby. .
3.  All fish must be caught in the Grand River from below the Belwood Dam to above the Paris Dam and not including its tributaries. Anyone observed fishing elsewhere during the Derby will be disqualified..
4.  The measuring station (at Natural Sports, 1272 Victoria St N/. Kitchener) will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday and on Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. .
5.  Fish will only be entered at the official measuring station during official hours..
6. All fish must be brought in alive and in healthy condition in an aerated tub or cooler with a minimum 20 litre of river water. Do not use a stringer or wire fish basket. Any fish having evidence of; being on a stringer, in a basket, net, gaff or snag marks will not be eligible. Any fish that judges deem unhealthy or unlikely to survive will not be accepted.
7.  Entries are restricted to Smallmouth Bass and no fish under 12" in length will be accepted for entry.
8.  All decisions by the judges will be final. Any questioning will result in the immediate disqualification of any contestant for the entire Derby. The Grand River Bass Derby reserves the right to hold any fish for biological examination and testing. Major prizes may not be released until such testing is complete..
9..  The ranking fish in all categories will be based on the total length. In the event of a tie, the fish entered first will rank higher.
10.  Fish may be entered only once. Participants may only win one prize (except entry and draw prizes). Youth entries are eligible for all prizes. All fish must be caught by the angler entering the fish. Fish entered will be turned over to the Grand River Bass Derby for release back in the Grand River.
11.  The Grand River Conservation Authority, sponsors, organizers, and their agents will not be liable for the loss of property, or for the injury to any contestant or spectator. Contestants compete in the Derby at their own risk.
12. All participants agree that upon winning a major prize they will submit to truth tests, if required, and sign an affidavit attesting to the fact that their prize winning fish was caught within the rules of the Derby.
13.  All fish must be brought to the measuring station in an aerated tub or cooler with a minimum of 20 litres of water. No bags!
14.  Awards will be presented at Bingemans on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. (For 2017, the presentations will be made in the Embassy Room - the building by the pond.).

Photos: (Left) Peter Bingeman and (Right) Mark Kozak are shown presenting trophies and prizes back in the 90s.

Top Fishermen from Bass Derbies (1990 -2011)

Click on the appropriate year below for data on that year's Grand River Bass Derby.

2008     2009     2010    2011     2012     2013     2014       2015      2016      2017       2018

As noted below, the Derby held on July 6 & 7 in 2019 proved to be the last such event. Lisa McCann took home top-place honours, bragging rights and a cheque for $2,000 with her 19.2" smallmouth bass.

Unfortunately, after Covid restrictions  took several years (2020/21/22) off the annual schedule, the Derby organizers decided to cease operation due to increased regulations, e.g. governing the aerated transportation containers that everyone would now be required to have.

From the Optimist Club of Stanley Park & Natural Sports

Since 1988 the Grand River Bass Derby has been one of Canada's largest and longest running live release bass derbys while generating thousands of dollars for conservation and public access projects in South Western Ontario.
After the recent challenges of running public events and gatherings and several other factors, the Optimist Club and organizers have made the difficult decision to discontinue the Derby. We would like to thank our many sponsors, volunteers and participants that helped make the derby a success for over 30 years.
Funds raised from the Derby are currently being used to help develop and improve public access points along the Grand River. If your club or organization has a conservation or fisheries related project in Waterloo Region that requires funding, please send a detailed request to Natural Sports.