Got fish?

On Saturday, June 7, you can get some at the second annual Reeling in a Dream fishing derby on Lake Cochichewick. The derby will offer prizes — and bragging rights — for the biggest fish caught that day, while raising money for the Timothy Roberts Fund at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

"It's an event the whole family can come to. It's really beautiful down there (at the lake's shore on the campus of Brooks School) and the town doesn't have the opportunity to see it very often," said Pat Roberts, Tim's mother. "Last year, the faces on the kids when they caught a fish just made the day. That made it what it was all about, it didn't matter if it was a big fish or a little fish."

North Andover native Timothy Roberts died of esophageal cancer in 2005 at the age of 22. The 2002 North Andover High School graduate loved to fish, and carried the nickname "the bass man." His memorial fund at Dana-Farber pays for wishes to be granted to young adults who have cancer — by giving them everything from special trips to laptops.

"Tim genuinely loved fishing and he was quite good at it as well," said North Andover resident Bill Wray, who is working with a group of five to organize the fishing derby. "He was a great guy to fish with, I learned a lot from him"

Wray said that while there are larger events that add money to Tim's fund, the fishing derby is "the most meaningful, because this is what Tim really enjoyed."

Wray's 24-year-old son, Jeff, is a childhood friend of Tim Roberts and is on the derby committee. Two other annual fundraisers, a "Tourney for Tim" Wiffle ball tournament in August and the "Bassman's Ball" dinner auction in March, are held in Tim Roberts' honor.

Tim Roberts used to fish on Lake Cochichewick all the time, starting as a child when cousins from Atlanta would visit North Andover, said Pat Roberts. "He just loved it from that point on," she said.

"To share Tim's love of the sport with others, that's what it's all about," she said of the derby.

On June 7, folks are invited to fish from shore and from boats on the lake. Lake Cochichewick is filled mostly with bass, said Wray.

Prizes will be awarded for the biggest fish caught by adults and children, in both weight and length. The biggest fish caught last year tipped the scale at more than 4 pounds.

Massachusetts offers one day every year that residents can fish without a license, said Wray, and it's June 7 this year. Boats and other fishing craft can go on Lake Cochichewick that day without the usually required registration and fee.

Because the lake is a public drinking water supply, no gas motors of any type are allowed. Canoes, kayaks, car-top boats and other smaller watercraft are suggested, said Wray, because no boat ramp will be available. Electric trolling motors are allowed.

The derby will be held on the shore at Brooks School in North Andover, which is normally closed to the public.

A raffle for a Pelican Bass Boat, a small fishing boat with no motor, is planned. Hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks will be served. Souvenir hats with the Reeling in a Dream fund logo will be for sale, as well as fishing bait for those who need it.

Last year's derby raised $7,000 and was well attended, Pat Roberts said.

Attendees ranged from fishing novices and children to experienced adult fishermen, said Wray.

"Cochichewick is a pretty popular spot. The derby is a family day, not just for fishing," he said. "Brooks has been just great, very generous to open their private property to us. It's just a beautiful spot down there."

Registration is recommended in advance and may be done at Treadwell's Ice Cream at Smolak Farms, 315 S. Bradford St., or online at www.reelinginadream.org.

Reel basics

r Second annual Timothy Roberts Reeling in a Dream fishing derby.

r June 7, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

r Lake Cochichewick, Brooks School, 1160 Great Pond Road, North Andover.

r Fishing and boat licenses NOT required for the day.

r Registration in advance is $10 for shore fishing, $25 per person for boat fishing; registration on the day of the derby is $10 for shore fishing and $30 per person for boat fishing.

r Register ahead at Treadwell's Ice Cream at Smolak Farms, 315 S. Bradford St. or at www.reelinginadream.org.

r Pelican Bass Boat, a small fishing boat with no motor, will be raffled.

r Food, souveniers, bait will be available.

r For more details, visit www.reelinginadream.org and click on the fishing derby link.

Derby rules

r Electric motors only

r Must have ticket on person

r All town and state boating and fishing regulations apply

r June 7 and 8 are part of Massachusetts "free fishing weekend," licenses not be mandated

r All children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult

Prizes

r First, second and third place in children's category (under age 12) for biggest fish from shore

r One prize for boat fishers (adult or child): bass fish by weight

r One prize for adult shore fishers: bass fish by weight

r Tie will go to longest fish in all categories