2023 Ice Fishing Derby challenging but fun for participants

By Ed Pierce

A lack of ice on Sebago Lake didn’t ruin the fun for participants in the annual Cumberland County Ice Fishing Derby on Feb. 18 and Feb. 19.

Scott Dube of Saco placed first in the
Cumberland County Ice Fishing Derby by
catching a pickerel weighing 4.26 pounds and
25 1/2 inches in length. SUBMITTED PHOTO 

Moving to the 20-plus remaining lakes and ponds in thweighing e area with adequate ice to ensure safety, anglers fishing in the Cumberland County contest sponsored by the Sebago Lake Rotary Club found an abundance of perch and pickerel ready to be caught.

This was the 22nd year for the Ice Fishing Derby and although warmer temperatures prevented the buildup of ice on Sebago Lake this time, the contest proved once again to be more than just an excuse to get outside for time spent fishing. Proceeds from the Ice Fishing Derby benefit local charities and nonprofit organizations that the Rotary Club donates to, including “Feed the Need,” which assists with funding for 12 food pantries in the Lakes Region of Maine.

Angers found that searching for suitable ice was fun and the event brought together people from all walks of life, helping forge new friendships among those fishing and left them with great stories to tell about their experiences that probably will be shared for a lifetime.

The warm temperatures and subsequent cancelation of contest fishing on Sebago Lake held down the overall number of registered participants compared to previous years, but many did sign up for the Cumberland County portion of the event, said Cyndy Bell of the Sebago Lake Rotary Club.

But Bell said that as in years past, participating fishermen continued to donate their catches which were delivered to Nova Seafood and will be processed and delivered to assist in feeding the homeless and those facing food insecurity.

Tom Noonan, a Sebago Lake Rotary Club member, is credited with coming up with the concept for the Ice Fishing Derby in 2001 in cooperation with the Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Department.

Since then, the event has grown substantially to become the Sebago Lake Rotary Club’s largest annual fundraising initiative and has supported hundreds of charities over the past two decades, with more than $1 million donated to local causes since its inception.

“Under the leadership of Sebago Lake Rotarian Toby Pennels, the derby gained additional national notoriety as one of only four fishing derbies in the United States to be featured in a television program filmed for the National Geographic Channel that aired in June 2014,” Bell said.

Here are the 2023 Cumberland County Ice Fishing Derby winners –

Top Prize Winners

The winner of the $5,000 cash grand prize was Ben Carlin of Windham.

Shannon Hallgren won the 50/50 raffle drawing.

Pickerel

First place: Scott Dube, 4.26 pounds, 25 ½ inches

Second place: Brian Rocray, 4.25 pounds, 25 ½ inches

Third place Adam Bryant, 3.20 pounds, 23 ½ inches

Yellow Perch

First place: Chris Green, 1.20 pounds, 13 inches

Second place: Chris Green, 1.20 pounds, 13 inches

Third place: Chris Green, 1.16 pounds, 13 ¼ inches

White Perch

First place: Shanna Hudgin, 1.62 pounds, 14 ½ inches

Second place: Tyler Holmquist, 1.60 pounds, 13 ½ inches

Third place: Shanna Hudgin, 1.50 pounds, 13 ¼ inches <