- What’s happening: The 23rd Annual Calusa Blueway Kayak Fishing Tournament returns to Lee County. All proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Christian Life Academy and its effort to launch a marine vocational program for local students. The program will help train future marine mechanics, technicians and skilled tradespeople right here in Southwest Florida.
- Where: The fishing tournament takes place on the Calusa Blueway, 190-mile marked paddling trail that meanders through the coastal water ways of Southwest Florida.
- When: Saturday, Nov. 14. The tournament begins at safe light. Weigh-ins will be from noon to 3 p.m. at The Venue at Matlacha.
- Cost: The entry fee is $75 per angler. The cost of entry includes registration and tournament shirt. Registration is limited to the first 100 anglers.
- Info: Race details and registration are available at www.calusabluewaytournament.com or by calling Lee County Parks & Recreation Blueway Coordinator Mike Hammond at 239-707-7981. For more information about the Calusa Blueway, visit leeparks.org or call 239-533-7275.
What to expect
The tournament is a family fun event that features door prizes, raffles, food, and silent auctions from noon to 4 p.m. on the day of the competition. It is organized by Eddie Suarez of Salt Strong and hosted by The Venue at Matlacha.
Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third longest snook, longest trout, and longest red, first-place youth and first-place women’s division.
Tips
All fishing will be catch, photo and release. Anglers must fish from paddlecraft on Lee County waterways.
The mandatory captains meeting will be at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13 at The Venue at Matlacha.
Find Calusa Blueway on Instagram and Facebook. Trail information is at calusablueway.com or leeparks.org/blueway.
History
The Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail is a 190-mile marked canoe and kayak trail that meanders through the coastal waters and inland tributaries of Lee County. Inspired by Calusa Native Americans, the first residents of the area, the Calusa Blueway encompasses three distinct regions of the Gulf of Mexico coast.
The first portion of the trail meanders through Estero Bay, while the second segment centers on Pine Island Sound and Matlacha Pass. A third leg of the trail takes paddlers inland to the Caloosahatchee and its tributaries.
About Lee Parks
Lee County Parks & Recreation has more than 250 positions, a $42 million budget and more than 31,500 acres of parks, preserves, facilities and other sites.
The department oversees four recreation centers, 10 community centers, community parks, Conservation 20/20 lands, greenways, the Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail, four year-round pools, seven boat ramps, sports complexes including the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins spring training facilities, dog-friendly facilities and coastal beach parks.
In partnership with the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau, the department also offers Parks, Points & Perks, a free digital pass that encourages exploration of more than 30 sites and rewards participants with prizes for checking in. Learn more at visitfortmyers.com/ParksPass.
Learn more about Parks & Recreation by visiting leeparks.org, email questions to leeparks@leegov.com, 239-533-7275 or visit leeparksandrecreation on Facebook and Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: 23rd Annual Calusa Blueway Fishing Tournament returns