PENDLETON — PENDLETON — Lots of little fish and some big enough to brag about were hauled in by tykes at the Lions Club Kids Fishing Derby at West Canal Marina on Saturday morning.

Despite conflicting make-up baseball games and dancing recitals, nearly 200 children participated and were rewarded with prizes, hot dogs and pop — plus the joy of fishing.

Many of the children were veterans of the annual Tonawanda Creek experience and knew exactly what they caught. Some were toddlers, testing the waters for the first time under the watchful eye of grownups.

The Lions registered the children, logged in their catches and grilled hot dogs. The kids caught northern pike, bullheads. sunfish, bass and the unwelcome gobies. The fish were returned to the creek; the gobies found the bottom of a garbage can.

The Lions provided the bait, and many kids put the worms on the hooks by themselves.

Rachel Quarantillo and Trinity Tromble, both 9 of Pendleton, put night crawlers on their own hooks. “I don’t mind them, but sometimes they can be all squirmy and gross me out,” Trinity said.

Her brother once ate a worm, she said.

Quarantillo registered a rock bass and also caught a “bad fish” (goby) which she put in the trash.

Jackson Retzer, 12, of East Amherst was fishing with friends Tyler Durfee and Devin Garey when he landed a 17.5-inch pike.

“I know it was a pike because it’s skinny and got teeth,” said Jackson, who started fishing at 5 with his grandfather at Clarence Lakes.

Devin, 11, fishes regularly with his dad, Edwin Garey. He caught an 8-inch fish.

Joshua Woods, 14, of the Town of Lockport, landed 25-inch northern pike while fishing with his father, Dan.

Kaylie Fendrick, 4, of North Tonawanda won a pink rod and reel last year by landing a sunny. This year, she  reeled in an 11-inch bullhead with her pink tackle.

Kevin Johnson and Joey Carlson, 8, of Pendleton knew where to look for the fish. “We go near the trees, because they’re all under the rocks trying to get shade,” Johnson said. “They eat grubs from the trees that fall in the water.”

Johnson caught a catfish and three other fish. His buddy caught a perch and sunfish. “I could tell it was a perch by the stripes on it,” he said.

Last year, more than 200 children registered.

“It turned out to be a great, wonderful day,” said Joe Beiter, who has served as chairman of the derby for 42 years. “They had a a lot of doubleheaders at the ball diamond because off all the rain. There are some dance recitals going on. It all played a part.”

Jim Manguso Jr. of Pendleton brought sons Jimmy and Joseph after their baseball game in the morning. “We had a blast,” he said. “It’s the first time here. We live a quarter of a mile down the street and I see this happening all the time, but never thought to come. We’ll be regulars for sure.”

Dad put the worm on the hook. Jimmy, 6 caught a sunfish.

Wardynski’s hot dogs, Mineo & Sapio Italian Sausage and Heinrich Chevrolet were among the sponsors. Firefighters from the Wendelville Fire Co. stood by in case of an emergency.

Tables under the shelter were loaded with toys for the children — super-soakers, rods and reels, bocce sets and soccer balls

Renee Robbins, 7, who dyed her hair with streaks of pink, caught a 18-inch sucker. “It was squirming a lot,” she said. “Dad helped.”

“She out-fishes dad every time since she was 4,” Mark Robbins of Lockport said. “She caught a 2-foot catfish out of the Locks when she was 3.

Amanda Krieger of Lockport brought her three daughters, Ava, Anna and Aurora, for the first time. “I think its wonderful that the kids can come out and fish. I did as a child and won first place in Olcott.”

Ava, Anna and Aurora, who were wearing bright orange-red shirts, also enjoyed rolling down the hill.

Contact reporter Bill Wolcott

at 439-9222, ext. 6246.