Kids Can Catch A Good Time At Baxter's Fishing Derby In Howell

HOWELL, NJ — Kids 14 years and younger can enjoy the free, annual Baxter's Fishing Derby this Saturday, Oct.1, at the Alfred C. Sauer Park at Echo Lake.

The lake will be stocked with with 500 fish, including trout, blue gills and large mouth bass, according to Ed Runyon, chairman of the Lake Restoration & Wildlife Management Committee.

Limited bait will be provided.

The event is from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., but registration begins at 8:15 a.m. on the day of the event. The park is at 1225 Maxim-Southard Road.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own fishing pole and supplies, but limited bait will provided for the derby.

Light refreshments will be available toward the end of the event, provided by Stop & Shop of Howell.

Trophies will be awarded at the conclusion of the event.

The stocking, trophies and bait are provided by The Lake Restoration & Wildlife Management Committee of the township and by the Baxter family.

The rain date is Sunday, Oct. 2.

The park is named in honor of Alfred C. Sauer, a longtime Howell resident who helped create Howell's first Environmental Commission and its Lake Restoration & Wildlife Management Committee, on which he served until his death. The committee was instrumental in restoring Echo Lake and in building its park facility, Runyon said.

The event started in 2004, according to the township, to honor Robert Baxter III, a Howell police officer who died at age 23 and was an avid fisherman, the township confirmed.

For more information, call the township at 732- 938-4500 ext. 2106.