The City of Belleview hosted the 11th Annual Fishing Derby on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Lake Lillian on SE Robinson Rd in Belleview. It was the perfect day to catch the big one. The family-oriented derby was for children 15 and under, but the entire family was welcome to come cast a line. Registration began at 8:30 AM, and each registered child received bait, consisting of fresh worms. The first 100 children to register also received a t-shirt commemorating the event. At 9:00 AM, the fishing began, and excited children cast their lines, hoping to catch the biggest fish in the lake.
The derby continued until 12:00 PM and was followed by a Community Cookout at the Belleview Community Center, located at 5615 SE 110th Place, just a short walk from Lake Lillian. The event was sponsored by the Belleview Police Department, and awards were presented immediately after the cookout. The 2025 Fishing Derby had 126 children in attendance. Many of them have participated in this event for years, with some taking part their entire lives. The biggest fish caught was 18 inches, by Hazan Kurzhals. The Fishing Derby was sponsored by the family of Robert Turner, Toomy Tools in Belleview, FixIT Tek, Peeks Printing and Design, the City of Belleview Police, and Florida Fish and Wildlife.
On Saturday, April 5, 2025, Belleview City Commissioner Ray Dwyer brought his grandchildren out to Belleview’s Fishing Derby at Lake Lillian in Belleview. Here Papa, is surrounded by his granddaughters, 10 year old Kennedy on his left and 6 year old Meadow on his right. The girls said they enjoyed hanging out with Papa
Measuring Her Catch At Lake Lillian
Alurah Popp, 6 years old, stands with Dad, Gary Popp while Bob Vass, Events and Promotions Manager for the City of Belleview measures Alurah’s catch at a whopping 15 3/4 inch Catfish at the Belleview Fishing Derby on Saturday, April 5, 2025.
Two year old Aidan Conelly, along with his Uncle, Jimmy Gooding, was very excited to meet Sgt Mike Miley while the Officer was preparing for the Belleview Police Community Cookout on Saturday, April 5, 2025. The cookout was immediately after the Belleview Fishing Derby.
Two year old Clay LaCombe fishes along side his Mom, Jamie Lee LaCombe on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Clay was very excited to catch a 5 inch “Piranha”, but mom said it might be a Blue Gill.
Two year old, Oliver Brodie looks on as an official fish measurer with the City of Belleview, measures his fish that is just Oliver’s size. His fish was 4 inches long and he was fishing with his parents and grandparents.
Five-year-old Cora-Mae Eubanks intently watches her fishing line, as Dad and Mom, Jerry and Shannon Eubanks teach her how it’s done.
