Wyatt Graul with Peyton, Bo, Kinley, Deborah and Reed Copeland and Wade Graul. PHOTO BY JOSHUA KODIS

Nearly 160 young anglers had a ‘reel’ good time at the 10th annual Lines in the Lagoon Junior Fishing Tournament, as the catch-and-release competition netted 342 fish.

Local youth founded the not-for-profit 10 years ago to raise awareness about the decline of the 156-mile Indian River Lagoon, once considered the most bio-diverse habitat in North America, as a way to develop the next generation of environmental stewards.

Proceeds are distributed to nonprofits with missions focused on protecting the natural resources of the lagoon and promoting stewardship through awareness, education and conservation, such as the Coastal Conservation Association and the Ocean Research & Conservation Association.

“From a fish standpoint, the Indian River Lagoon is definitely in decline because the seagrasses are not what they used to be and, therefore, the indigenous fish are being depleted,” said Edie Collins, board president, who recalls the abundant bounty of the lagoon during her childhood.

“We used to be able to go clamming, and there’s not clams in the lagoon anymore. We used to be able to catch shrimp in the river, and you can’t catch shrimp anymore. There used to be more fish. Now it’s not as easy,” she said.

Thanks to efforts from groups such as CCA, ORCA and other organizations, Collins said, there has been some progress. She explained that CCA has had some luck replenishing the lagoon with some farm-raised indigenous fish species. Their tournament results indicate that redfish and snook are faring better, but sea trout and some others found when the tournament began 10 years ago still aren’t as prevalent.

ORCA focuses on identifying the causes of the lagoon’s declining health, and restoring its water quality and seagrass beds through monitoring, mapping and its Citizen Scientist program.

“I’m optimistic if we continue funding groups like CCA and ORCA and encouraging young people to be cognizant of safe fishing and to be appreciative, it will continue to get better,” said Collins.

Participants from kindergarten through 12th grade gathered during the captains’ meeting on Friday at White’s Tackle to prepare for the next day’s challenge, getting briefed on rules about fishing the lagoon by boat or from land and submitting digital photographs of their catches before releasing them back into the water.

After enjoying a day of fishing, anglers gathered at American Icon Brewery for an awards ceremony, auction and raffle. Representatives from CCA and ORCA were there so families could learn about their work and perhaps get more involved.

Jake Barlow took the Grand Champion title with a total of 269 inches of redfish, snook and trout. Awards were also given for the largest sea trout, redfish, snook and jack crevalle, ugliest (a stingray), and mystery fish (a ladyfish).

Collins said that as the original youth founders have or will soon graduate high school, they are always looking for conservation-minded youth to continue their work. In addition to the tournament, members can participate in a variety of related projects, from fishing for samples for ORCA researchers to beach cleanups.

“We’re raising young people to have awareness. If they’re not fishing, they’re water skiing, wakeboarding, skimboarding or surfing. We’re just such a water-based community, and this is a way for young people who want to do something philanthropic to jump in,” shared Collins.

The No Name Lodge in Puerto Rico has donated a 6-night/5-day fly fishing trip for two, to be auctioned during the April 12 Wheels & Keels Foundation dinner, with proceeds benefiting Lines in the Lagoon.

For more information, visit LinesInTheLagoon.com.

Photos by Joshua Kodis