The ice thickness and quality remain inconsistent on Maine’s lakes and ponds, but people can still enjoy some ice fishing if careful.
Checking the ice thickness every few feet and having the proper safety equipment with you could save your life.
The Hardwater Hitmen Pike Derby scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 10, was canceled last month because of the iffy ice conditions. The annual derby, which is on Messalonskee Lake in Sidney, raises money to purchase lifetime fishing licenses for Maine kids. The derby also uses Great, Long, North and Ingham ponds.
Several ice fishermen have reported thin or bad ice within feet of thick solid ice, so keeping your chisel handy to check before you step is a good idea. People who are smelt fishing in Merrymeeting Bay are reporting variable conditions there too.
All of that being said, there are plenty of opportunities for ice fishing fun this weekend in various derbies around the state:
The Horne Pond Ice Fishing Derby will be held on Saturday, Feb. 10, at the public launch in Limington to benefit the Standish Fish and Game Club and The Bonny Eagle Backpack Program. Fishing may begin at 5:15 a.m. Registration closes at 7 a.m. No fish will be weighed after 3 p.m. Adults, $20; kids ages 12 and under, $5. A tagged fish will be released into the water and those who want a chance to win money if they catch it can enter for $5. For information, call 207-523-0821, email [email protected] or visit the website.
The York County Fish and Game Club will hold its annual fishing derby from 6 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10, in all legal fishing waters in York County. Online ticket sales end at 8 a.m. Feb. 10. Adults, $20. Kids under age 16, $10. Weigh-in will be at Iron Tails Saloon on Route 109 in Acton. For information, contact Jon Gielarowski at 207-753-5522.
The Royal River Rod & Gun Club’s 2024 ice fishing derby to benefit Youth Field Day will be held from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, at Lower Range Pond State Park. All fish must be weighed in by 2 p.m. Adults, $20. Kids under age 16, $5. Email [email protected] or message the club on Facebook for more information.
Pine Grove Program’s annual Wyman Lake ice fishing derby will be held from 6 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10. Weigh-in will be at the Bingham General Store. All fish must be registered by 3:30 p.m. Adults, $20. Kids, $10. All proceeds benefit Pine Grove Program, which gives free outdoor adventures to veterans and first responders. Details are on Facebook.
New Sharon Snow Riders annual derby will be held from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, on Crowell Pond in Chesterville. The small club maintains snowmobile trails that connect seven neighboring towns. The entry fee is $5. For more information, contact Matt Lemieux at 207-778-6476.
The first New England Ice Fishing Championship will be held from Feb. 10 through Feb. 25, to benefit homeless shelters in New England. The group hopes to raise $20,000. All legal fishing waters in the state are eligible. Weigh-in is online or at 76 Riverside Ave, Gilman, Vermont. Contact Kasey Esp0sito at 802-461-7839 for information.
Norris Bennett Memorial Scholarship Fund Fishing Derby put on by the Lovell Lions Club will be held from 5:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11, on Kezar Lake. A registration table will be at Pleasant Point Town Beach in Center Lovell. Tickets are $25 each. For information, contact John Bacchiocchi at 207-515-2247.
The Pennesseewassee Lake Ice Fishing Derby will be held from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11, to benefit Traps for Kids, a nonprofit program that provides fishing gear to youths. Entry fees are $15 for adults and $10 for kids under 16 years old.
The Phippsburg Sportsmen’s Association will put on the 25th annual Dickie LeMont Take-A-Kid-Fishing derby from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11, on all Sagadahoc County waters. Weigh-in ends promptly at 4 p.m. Ticket purchase is not necessary but adults are encouraged to bring a youth fishing for the day.
If you have an ice fishing derby this coming weekend and you don’t see it listed here, please send your information to Outdoors editor Julie Harris at [email protected] and we will update our list.
