The Northampton Police Department held its annual fishing contest April 20 at the Hokendauqua Creek behind the Northampton municipal complex, 1401 Laubach Ave. Anglers of all ages lined the waterway hoping to land a trout - perhaps even an award winner. Three hundred trout were stocked for the contest.

The contest organizers, including Northampton Borough Police Chief Bryan Kadingo, noted no stocked fish would be less than 13 inches. Green-Walk Trout Hatchery, in Bangor, provided the marine life. Hatchery owner Ty Barton continues to operate the hatchery, which was founded in 1950.

The contest, which ran 8 a.m.-2 p.m., included a basket raffle and a food trailer. All who purchased an admission ticket were automatically enrolled in the raffle, which had a $100 first-place prize with a $75 second-place prize and $50 third-place prize. There was a $15 entrance fee to fish.

Prizes based on catch weight included $250 for first place, $150 for second place and $100 for third place.

Most of the adults were wearing some form of boot, including hip boots. The boots allowed the anglers to get closer to the fishing holes in the creek where trout would congregate, increasing their chance of a catch.

All in all, it was a fun day with pleasant weather. Participants felt the excitement of catching nice-sized fish with the potential of winning a monetary award.

One of the participants, John Merkel of Fountain Hill, took his grandson fishing. His grandson did the fishing, but Merkel appeared happy just to see his grandson having a fun day.