Anglers prepare to ‘bait up’ for annual Ice Fishing Derby

Josh Sparks and his daughter Kendall Sparks
will be back to compete in the 2022 Sebago
Lake and Cumberland County Ice Fishing
Derby after winning prizes in the past.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

By Collette Hayes

It’s time to bundle up, grab a jigging rod and bait up for the annual 2022 Sebago Lake and Cumberland County Ice Fishing Derby organized and sponsored by members of the Sebago Lake Rotary Club.

During the last 21 years, the Sebago Lake Ice Fishing Derby has raised more than $1 million to support charities and nonprofit organizations. This year proceeds raised will benefit “Feed the Need,” which provides support for local food pantries in the Sebago Lakes Region in Casco, Gray, Naples, New Gloucester, Raymond, Sebago, Standish and Windham.

Togue caught and donated during the derby by registered participants will be collected, processed and donated to local food pantries. In addition to supporting local food pantries, the Sebago Lake Rotary Club also supports local charities throughout the year such as the Salvation Army and Windham’s Veterans Center.

The Sebago Lake Ice Fishing Derby originated in 2001 under the leadership of Tom Noonan, a local businessman and a Rotarian. An overabundance of togue, also known as lake trout, in Sebago Lake is an ongoing challenge. The original concept was that the derby would assist the Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Department by removing the invasive Togue from Sebago Lake. Togue deplete the supply of forage fish that sustain other species native to Sebago Lake such as Landlocked Salmon.

According to Cyndy Bell, Sebago Rotary Club Executive Secretary/Director, fishermen can donate their catch. The catch is then taken to Nova Seafood in Portland, and they donate the processing and flash freezing of the fish which is then donated to food pantries to be used in feeding homeless and families in need. Last year nearly 1,000 pounds of fish were caught and donated which resulted in over 350 meals for the hungry.

“The derby will take place on Sebago Lake and 26 other bodies of water in Cumberland County on Feb. 19 and Feb. 20,” said Bell. “Fish weigh stations will be at Raymond Beach, the Standish Boat Launch, and Jordan’s Store in Sebago. The Sebago Lake Derby is to catch Togue and Pike, the invasive species, but on other lakes and ponds Perch and Pickerel are also caught. This year we are offering first-, second- and third-place prizes for all species.”

In addition to more than 25 local businesses supporting this event and recognized on the Derby’s Facebook page, this year’s major sponsors for the event are General Dynamic/BIW, Sebago Bait Shop, and Alcom, llc.

“Many local businesses donate to support our event which helps the local economy,” said Bell. “We have our grand prize of an ATV which we purchased from Windham Powersports who are one of our sponsors. We also will have a 4 hp Mercury outboard motor donated by Panther Run Marina in Raymond. There is over $5,000 in cash and other prizes for winning fish and drawings. Last year we brought back the ice shack contest where folks can post a photo of their shack and the winner will receive a $100 cash prize plus second and third place will receive one of our sweatshirts valued at $35.”

Last year, Josh Sparks, an avid ice fisherman, who has participated in the Sebago Lake Fishing Derby for the last 20 years, won over $2,000 in the derby 50/50 raffle. The raffle benefits organizations that support fish and wildlife issues.

From years of experience Sparks has become quite skilled at ice fishing. His ice fishing routine includes setting up his portable shack, drilling a hole in the ice with his electric auger, using jigging or ice traps to set up his line and using his fish locater to locate the fish. Then he enjoys the camaraderie of family and friends while he patiently sits and waits for the fish to bite.

“The derby is an event our entire family participates in,” said Sparks.” Usually, I fish on Long Lake. Last year, my cousin Glenn Sparks, caught a third-place fish. I fish this derby with my brother Travis Sparks, who in years past has caught first- or second-place fish. Even my daughter Kendall won a fishing rod door prize in last year’s derby.”

Registration for the Sebago Lake Ice Fishing Derby will be accepted online through noon on Saturday, Feb. 19. Any mailed or local registrations during the morning of that Saturday must also adhere to the noon deadline.

Details about registration and prizes can be found at www.icefishingderby.com. Updated information about the derby can also be found on the derby’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/maineicefishingderby/.

Further questions can be directed to Cyndy Bell at cbell@theforecaster.net or Deb McPhail at mcphailda@gmail.com <