It’s said that fishing is not just about catching fish, it’s about the journey and the memories that last a lifetime. For those looking to create some new memories and take home some cash prizes, the 24th Annual Sebago Lake Rotary Ice Fishing Derby is approaching on Saturday, Feb. 15 and Sunday Feb. 16 and everyone who enters qualifies for the 2025 Grand Prize of $5,000.
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| Children receive ice fishing instruction during a previous ice fishing derby on Sebago Lake. The 24th Annual Sebago Lake Rotary Ice Fishing Derby will be held on lakes throughout the region on Saturday, Feb. 15 and Sunday Feb. 16 with proceeds to benefit 'Feed the Need' which supports 12 different food pantries in the area. COURTESY PHOTO |
The Sebago Lake Rotary Ice Fishing Derby is held every year in February and had been organized and managed by the Sebago Lake Rotary Club since 2001.
Every togue, pike, perch and pickerel caught during this year’s derby will serve as one entry into the Rotary’s Fish Pool drawings. Each angler participates must enter their own fish at the weigh station.
The 2025 Derby Fish Pool Prizes will exceed $12,000 but not top $22,600 which is the maximum allowed by state law. All registrants, whether you decide to fish or not, will be entered for the $5,000 grand prize.
Derby organizers say the event serves as an important fisheries management tool for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. As such, the prize structure was developed in consultation with the MDIFW Fishery Biologist to encourage the harvesting of invasive Northern Pike in local lakes and to moderate the abundance of lake trout. The derby also provides harvesting information as part of an initiative to manage freshwater sport fishing in Sebago Lake.
Five cash prizes of $50 will be drawn from the pool of those who registered during January.
Other cash prizes include:
Most Pike Caught
1st Place: $500 Cash
2nd Place: $250 Cash
3rd Place: $100 Cash
Largest Perch
1st Place: $250
Kittery Trading Post Gift Card
2nd Place: $150
Kittery Trading Post Gift Card
3rd Place: $100
Kittery Trading Post Gift Card
Largest Pickerel
1st Place: $250
Kittery Trading Post Gift Card
2nd Place: $150
Kittery Trading Post Gift Card
3rd Place: $100
Kittery Trading Post Gift Card
Largest Togue
1st Place: $1,000 Cash
2nd Place: $500.00 Cash
3rd Place: $250.00 Cash
Derby officials say that if Sebago Lake is deemed unsafe because of ice conditions, the cash prizes for togue and pike will remain in the charitable fund.
Every fish that is weighed has a chance to win, but there are some derby stipulations:
Pike Prizes: Pike must be caught in Sebago Lake only. The 2025 Pike Prize is for most fish caught, not for size and weight. All pike caught must be brought to the Raymond Beach weigh station for counting and tracking. Pike rules are that there are no limits the most fish caught to win first, second or third place.
Perch Prizes: White or Yellow Perch in Perch Fish Category – Debry officials will weigh your top six fish, and the remaining may be donated and entered for a prize drawing.
Togue Prizes: Togue must be caught in Sebago Lake only. Prizes will be determined by weight and length. An additional drawing will be held for all Togue caught and donated. No bag limit for Togue under 26 inches and no minimum weight limit. Only one may equal or exceed 26 inches.
Fishing Limits: A limit of six fish for togue, perch and pickerel species per day will be weighed for cash prices. Remaining togue can be donated and entered for a special drawing. Only one extra ticket per togue is allowed for donated fish per day and there are no limits on donated fish.
Registrants can donate their catch which will be processed through Nova Seafood in Portland. Containers will be available at each weigh station and each fish donated qualifies to be entered in a supplemental drawing for prizes.
A total of 26 lakes and ponds in Cumberland County are eligible to be fished in the derby. Weigh station times are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15 and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16.
Entry fees are $25 for individuals, $35 for families of two adults and up to four children. Entries may be downloaded and submitted online at https://www.icefishingderby.com/derby-registration/ <
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