Call 506-424-0274 for Information

Location

Metepenagiag School Gym
1926 Micmac Road, Red Bank, NB

May 16-18, 2025

The Metepenagiag “Big Tex” Trout Derby is an annual fishing event held in the Metepenagiag Mi’kmaq Nation, located in New Brunswick, Canada. The event is organized by the Trout Derby Committee, and is open to participants of all ages and skill levels.

Location

Metepenagiag School Gym
1926 Micmac Road, Red Bank, NB

Metepenagiag

“Big Tex” TROUT DERBY

The Metepenagiag “Big Tex” Trout Derby is an annual fishing event held in the Metepenagiag Mi’kmaq Nation, located in New Brunswick, Canada. The event is organized by the Trout Derby Committee, and is open to participants of all ages and skill levels.

The trout derby takes place on the Miramichi River, which is well-known for its excellent fishing opportunities. Participants can compete in a variety of categories, including largest trout caught, and most trout caught.

The Metepenagiag “Big Tex” Trout Derby is a beloved community event that celebrates both the natural beauty of the region and the rich cultural heritage of the Mi’kmaq people. It provides an opportunity for locals and visitors alike to connect with the land and each other, and to enjoy a day of fishing, fun, and fellowship.

REGISTRATION Details

Address

Metepenagiag School Gym, 1926 Micmac Rd, Red Bank, NB
Pre-Registration

Thursday, May 15th: 4:00PM – 8:00PM

Registration

Friday, May 16th: 7:00AM – 6:00PM
Saturday, May 17th: 7:00AM – 6:00PM
Sunday, May 18th: 7:00AM – 12:00PM

Additional Info

  • One ballot per entry and for each trout caught
  • Trout licence not required to win, only if you want to fish
  • Pleasure craft licence required if driving a boat

Bix Tex Map (click to enlarge)

RULES & REGULATIONS

  1. You can only win once in your division. If your name is drawn more than once, another name will be drawn.
  2. Fishery Guardians will be on patrol to weigh & measure your live catch.
  3. Trout will only be judged by Metepenagiag Fishery Guardians.
  4. Entrants must supply own fishing gear including a live trap to keep fish alive. (Catch & Release)
  5. Entrants with boats must abide by Provincial Boat Safety Regulations: Must have Small Pleasure License to operate a boat during the Derby, including lifejackets, bail buckets, etc.
  6. To qualify for prizes, each entrant must be registered & Must use a rod. If you take a fish from a non-registered fisherperson you will be disqualified. DO NOT fish with gill nets or trawl lines.
  7. Trout must be judged alive & registered on the same day caught then released.
  8. Entrants must fish within the boundary lines. If you fish outside the boundary lines, you will be disqualified from the derby. No refund.
  9. Non-Native participants are required to follow the bag & possession limit under the NB Trout Fishing License in their possession. Metepenagiag Will NOT be liable for participants who remove any other amount beyond the variation order.
  10. Metepenagiag Mi’kmaq Nation and Trout Derby Committee waiver all liability for Loss OR Damage to equipment.

Trophies & Prizes

DIVISION “A” PRICES

1ST: 2025 FORD F-150 STX
2ND: 2024 KAWASAKI MULE PRO MX
3RD: 1448 JON BOAT, F15L YAMAHA OUTBOARD MOTOR, KARAVAN BOAT TRAILER

DIVISION “B” PRIZES

1ST: 2024 KAWASAKI BRUTE FORCE 750
2ND: CUB CADET XT1 42 MOWER
3RD: ESQUIF CANOE

DIVISION “C” PRIZES

1ST: XBOX PACKAGE
2ND: LAPTOP
3RD: IPAD

4rd Annual Catch and Release Mini Music Festival

City Natives & DJ IV on Friday, Don Burnstick & The Relatives on Saturday, “Matchstick Mike and the Chain Smoking Altar Boys” on Sunday

City Natives

May 16th

10pm – 10:30pm

DJ IV

May 16th

10:30pm – 2:00am

Don burnstick

May 17th

9pm – 10pm

The Relatives

May 17th

10pm – 2am

Matchstick Mike and the Chain Smoking Altar Boys

May 18th

12pm – 1am

Our Amazing Sponsors

Diamond Sponsors ($10,000+)

Moncton Truck Stop – $10,000

$5000 PLATINUM SPONSOR

Treaty Tobacco – $5000

Rezzin Cannabis – $5000

$1000 Gold Sponsors

Cloud Convenience – $3000
James Weeks Construction – $2,000
North Shore Construction – $2,000
JR Mahoney – $1,800
G&G Brothers – $1,500
Ronnie Ward – $1100
Gaudet Garbage Inc. (Trash Away) – $1,000
Teed Saunders and Doyle & Co – $1,000
S. Daigle Construction – $1,000
Casey Tire – $1,000
Chiefs – $1,000
Bernards Construction – $1,000
EG Organics – $1,000
High Rollers (Elsipogtog) – $1,000
Braden Stewart – $1,000

$500 – $999 Silver Sponsors

MacCallum Building Supplies – $550
Northumberland Funeral Home – $500
LJ Pattersons – $500
Millstream Environmental Ltd – $500
Joseph Sock – $500
Komfort King Fuels – $500
Rae’s Trailer & Sports – $500
Renaud’s Brandsource – $500
KNE Construction – $500
Lefty’s – $500
Elsipogtog Sports Bar – $500
Fresh and Wild – $500
Metepenagiag Health Centre – $500
Child and Family – $500
NDS Electrical – $500
Lucky Leaf – $500
Cooke’s Insurance – $500

$100 – $499  Bronze Sponsors

Miramichi Meat – $400
Clearsight Auto Glass – $350
GTL (Goodfellow’s Trucking) – $300
Donnie’s Collision – $250
Eastern Tile & Carpet – $250
Carstar Miramichi – $250
Symes Financials (Sunlife) – $250
Bayview – $250
Terry & Sons – $250
Miramichi Hardware – $250
Humphrey’s Group – $250
Metepenagiag Youth – $232.15
Jardine Funeral Home – $200
Nor-Tuss Ltd – $200
Furniture & Carpet Man Ltd. – $200
White Lightening – $200
River Signs – $100
Eddy Out Depot – $100