Menu:

Contact Us

Akwesasne: A Special People in a Special Place
Akwesasne Is host to several Sport Fishing Derbies every year. Sport fishing competitions bring the Akwesasne community and lunkers from nearby communities together in Akwesasne waters to join in the events. People come from near and far to try their best lures and bait in the beautiful rivers surrounding Akwesasne.. The Noah Thompson Memorial Fishing Derby, which is its 12th year, is just one of the derbies that are held year-round.

12th Annual Noah Thompson Memorial Fishing Derby

By Shannon Burns
Reprinted by permission

From amateurs to experts, the rivers that run through Akwesasne were scattered with competitors this weekend for the 12th Annual Noah Thompson Memorial Fishing Derby. This year’s derby welcomed well over a hundred participants in the adult category and dozens in the children’s category. By the weekend’s end, hundreds of dollars had been given out in prize money and just about everyone had at least one good fishing story to tell.

The derby is put on every year by the descendants of the late Noah Thompson. Over the past decade it has become an event that’s looked forward to all summer long, both for the social aspects and for the $1500 first place prize. This year’s derby was brought back to the home of Blue and Laura Thompson in the village of Kana:takon, which sits along the St. Regis River. During the awards ceremony more than 50 boats were tied up along the shore.

Every fall the derby stirs up excitement as the participants hope they’ll break the state’s 30 lb. record for six bass over a two-day period. Last year, derby winner P.J. Burns came within ounces of breaking it. This year, Denis Guay checked in over 15 lbs. of bass on Saturday, creating suspense and excitement for the next day’s weigh-in. A polygraph technician was on hand to check for any cheating in case the record was broken. However, Guay missed the record by 2 ½ lbs. when he reeled in a smaller trio of fish Sunday.

The derby gives prizes for the three finishers. The competition calls for each participant to weigh-in three bass on both Saturday and Sunday. Awards are also given for “Lunker of the Day” and “Top Female Participant.” A sportsmanship award is also given out and the children compete for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place honors as well. They fish for perch and can weigh in all six of their catches on the same day.

The derby’s prize money and insurance (for state recognition) is made possible by donations made through the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, Mohawk Bingo Palace and Akwesasne Mohawk Casino.