Wheatley harbour entrance. (Photo by Simon Crouch) Wheatley harbour entrance. (Photo by Simon Crouch)
Chatham

Wheatley Fish Festival Kicks Off

The 12th annual Wheatley Fish Festival starts tonight and is known to many as one of the best fishing spots around.

Festival chairman Larry McDonald says more than 500 anglers are expected to compete in the fishing derby.

"It's to promote fishing and as you know Wheatley is the fresh water fish capital of the world," he says. "That's where all the fresh water fish come into Wheatley. They process it here, take care of it."

The derby itself started earlier in the week, which sees who can catch the biggest fish. "The pickerel and rainbow (fish), they run about 30" to 31"," says McDonald.

The smoke fishing contest starts at 4:30pm tonight and the Wheatley Arena opens at 6pm.

Saturday there's a parade starting at 9:30am and a big fish dinner in the evening.

The fish festival runs until Sunday and 6pm.

Read More Local Stories