Sebago Lake Ice Fishing Derby, which was the largest tournament in Maine until last year when Long Lake in Aroostook took over, will use all Cumberland County lakes and ponds except for Sebago this year.
Sebago has no ice.
It’s one of a handful of derbies affected by ice conditions. The Camp Laughing Loon’s third annual kids ice fishing derby on Little Ossipee Lake in East Waterboro is canceled this weekend.
Inconsistent temperatures and a recent warming trend are playing havoc with the ice fishing season. Not only have derby organizers had to alter some of their plans, the smelting season in Merrymeeting Bay has ended early due to lack of or thin ice.
But there are several derbies happening Feb. 17-18, and participants don’t need to worry about getting a fishing license to take part. Mainers can fish for free this weekend in the state’s annual bid to get people interested in the sport. They must follow all other fishing laws though.
Although the invitation is there, the state also balances it with a word of caution because of the unpredictability of the ice on Maine’s lakes and ponds.
The 23rd annual Sebago Lake Rotary Ice Fishing Derby will be held Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 17 and 18, on all of the frozen lakes and ponds in Cumberland County. Sebago is not included this year because it did not freeze. There will be a polar dip and ice shack contest. Fees are adults $25 and a family of two adults and up to four children $35. Proceeds will benefit Feed the Need, which serves 12 local food pantries and other Rotary charities. For information, visit the website.
The 62nd annual Schoodic Lake ice fishing derby will be held Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 17 and 18, on Schoodic, Ebeemee, Seboeis and Boyd lakes. Entry fee is $10. Proceeds benefit the Milo Fire Department. During the derby, tickets will be available at the weigh-in stations, which are Milo Fire Station, Knights Landing and Lakeview Plantation. For information, visit Facebook.
An ice fishing derby to benefit St. Michael’s School in Augusta will be held from 5 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, on Messalonskee Lake. Entry fees are $20 adults, $10 kids age 13 and younger before the derby. Fees go up to $25 for adults and $15 for kids 13 and younger on Saturday. Weigh station is at Snow Pond Center for the Arts, 8 Goldenrod Lane. For information, visit Facebook.
The Roxbury ATV Riders Club will hold its 45th annual fishing derby from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, on Ellis (Roxbury) Pond. Entry fee is $20. For information, visit Facebook.
The first Jacob Aitken Memorial Ice Fishing Derby will be held from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, on Swan Lake, Route 141, Swanville. Entry fees are $20 adults, $10 for youths under 16, free for kids under age 6. The event benefits the Jacob Aitken Memorial Scholarship established in memory of Jacob Aitken, who died in May 2023, and awarded to a high school senior. The derby also will benefit Bangor Area Recovery Network. For information, visit Facebook.
The 10th annual Michael J. Rowe Ice Fishing Derby put on by the Wilton Fish & Game Club will be held from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, on Wilson Pond, at the boat launch. Fee is $5 up to 2 p.m. Saturday. Money benefits a scholarship fund. For information, visit Facebook.
The 15th annual Slim’s Fishing Derby to benefit the Jimmy Douglass Memorial Scholarship fund will be held Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 17 and 18, in legal waters in Hancock County, with weigh-in at the Toddy Pond public landing. Registration is $15 for adults and free for kids 15 and younger online or at the derby until noon Saturday. For information, visit this website.
Hartland Fire Department’s annual fishing derby will be held Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 17 and 18, on Great Moose, Indian and Morrill ponds. Weigh-in will be from 4 to 6 p.m. each day at the fire department. Tickets are $2 each or a book of 10 for $20. For information, visit Facebook.
The Dexter Fish and Game ice fishing derby will be held from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, and from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, on Lake Wassookeag. Preregistration will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, at Lakeshore Restaurant. Registration opens at 5:45 a.m. Saturday. For information, visit Facebook.
The fifth annual China Lake ice fishing derby will be held Sunday, Feb. 18, on China Lake. Tickets are $5 each or three for $10. Weigh-in will be at the China Village Fire Department, 30 Causeway Road. Entries must be in line for weigh-in by 4 p.m. to qualify. For information, visit Facebook.
Spectrum Generations’ 26th annual Gene and Lucille Letourneau Ice Fishing Derby will be held on Sunday, Feb. 18, with weigh-in between 2 and 5 p.m. at Muskie Community Center, 38 Gold St. in Waterville. Fish any legal waters in Maine. Tickets will be $3 for one, $5 for two and $10 for five. You need a ticket for each fish entered. Ticket sales end at noon Sunday. All proceeds benefit Meals on Wheels in central and midcoast Maine. For information, visit Spectrum Generation’s website.
The Benedicta Snow Gang will hold the Plunkett Pond Fishing Derby Sunday, Feb. 18. Registration starts at 7 a.m. and all fish must be weighed in by 3 p.m. Registration is $10 for adults and free to kids under age 16 if accompanied by an adult who has paid. For information, visit Facebook
Penobscot County Conservation Association’s annual children’s ice fishing day will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, on Levasseur Pond in Brewer. Free to children from toddlers to age 15. Equipment and bait will be provided. Activities will be monitored, supervised and taught by experienced fishers, sportsmen and women. Children must be accompanied by an adult and should dress warmly. Warm beverages and snacks available for a donation. For information, visit Facebook or email [email protected].
