At least four ice fishing derbies were canceled for the weekend due to lake and pond conditions making them unsafe.
Some organizations are still monitoring their bodies of water and may make last-minute announcements about changes to their plans.
It has been a very difficult winter for outdoor recreational activities that rely on solid ice and inches of snow.
Some trails are closed in areas that typically show prime snowmobiling, such as in Fort Kent, Portage and Ashland. Others have not officially announced closures but are not repairing their trails, such as Blue Ridge Riders in Rockwood. A good snowstorm can change all that.
Favorite ice fishing ponds and lakes have unusually open water and the ice changes daily, thanks to warmer than average temperatures. There are still plenty of safe places to fish, just be careful.
Here’s a rundown of this week’s ice fishing derbies.
Gateway Title has perhaps the most unique approach to solving its ice fishing derby problem. The fourth annual event scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, March 2 and 3, at Cold Stream Pond in Enfield will be postponed and become an open water derby. Gateway will announce details of the open water event later.
The North Pond Leap Year Ice Fishing Derby will still go ahead for Sunday, March 3, in Smithfield, but organizers plan to keep checking the ice to make sure everything is in order. If the derby is canceled, last minute information will be posted on the North Pond Leap Year Ice Fishing Derby Facebook page and at northpondmaine.org/derby.
Organizers have canceled the Cobbossee Ice Fishing Derby due to ice safety concerns, particularly at access points along the lake’s edges. The derby is to be held Saturday, March 2, at Cobbossee Lake, to benefit the Cony High School Graduation Project. The committee still wants Project Graduation to go well, so its Plan B is to gather at 11 a.m. at the YMCA Camp of Maine where it will hold raffles and distribute more than 50 prizes, including cash for the winners. to the biggest fish. contests.
Organizers of the Tremont School Ice Fishing Derby have also changed their plans. There will be no ice fishing due to unsafe conditions, but there will be a community supper, raffle and other fundraising activities from 4 to 6:15 pm Saturday, March 2, at Tremont Consolidated School, to benefit the eighth grade. There are over 50 items up for raffle.
The eighth annual Little Tim’s Ice Fishing Derby will be held from 5:30 am to 2:30 pm Saturday, March 2, at Worthley Pond in Peru. An ice check Thursday found 15 ½ inches. Registration is $10 for ages 18 and older and $7 for 17 and under. Friday noon is the deadline for pre-registration and raffle tickets via PayPal. The derby will benefit Camp Postcard, Volunteers of America, and the weigh-in will be at the Farm at Worthley Pond, a wedding and event venue.
The 43rd annual Moosehead Lake Ice Fishing Derby in memory of Maggie “The Bait Lady” will be held from Saturday, March 2, to Saturday, March 9, at Moosehead Lake. The weigh-in will be at Moosehead Bait & Tackle in Rockwood, where the scales will close at 4pm on March 9. The Blue Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club is the organizer. Tickets are $10. A dinner and raffle will be held at 5 p.m. March 9, at the Rockwood Community Center. $10 adults; $5 children under 12. The derby awards $500 to plow Kineo docks in Rockwood, $500 to LifeFlight of Maine and two $1,000 scholarships to students in the Moosehead region.
The Greenville Firefighters Association’s third annual Moosehead Lake Ice Fishing Derby will be held Friday-Sunday, March 1-3, on Moosehead Lake. Registration and weigh-ins are at the Greenville Fire Department, 10 Minden St. Tickets are $15 each and $30 for a family. Winners will be announced on the association’s Facebook Page after 2pm on Sunday. Derby hours are from 6 am to 6 pm Friday; 6 am-8 pm Saturday; and 6 am-2 pm Sunday. Proceeds benefit the Greenville Fire Department.
The Plymouth Cares fifth annual Plymouth Pond Benefit Ice Fishing Derby set for Saturday, March 2, has been canceled due to unsafe conditions on the lake. But the vendor fair associated with it will still be held from 1 to 6 pm Friday, March 1, and from 9 am to 2 pm Saturday, March 2, at the Plymouth Grange Hall, 1927 Moosehead Trail. Adults $5, children ages 5 and under, $3. Proceeds benefit the community, such as gas cards for cancer patients, fuel and electricity assistance, meals for families in need and assistance to veterans.
The Jeff Bradbury Memorial Ice Fishing Derby scheduled for Saturday, March 2, in Jefferson has been canceled due to insufficient tickets being sold. Those who still wish to give to the scholarship fund can send checks made out to the Maine Community Foundation with the Jeff Bradbury Scholarship Fund on the memo line to the foundation at 245 Main St., Ellsworth, Maine 04605.
The Everett Hall Memorial Fishing Derby will be held Saturday, March 2, and Sunday, March 3, at Davis and Shin ponds. Pre-registration and day-of registration at 7:30 am at Shin Pond Village. Adults $25; children 12 and younger $10. Fish must be weighed in by 4pm on Saturday and by 3.30pm on Sunday. Money raised at the derby will support local ATV and snowmobile clubs.
Belfast Variety Route Fifty Two and Colby Benjamin Motorsports are holding an ice fishing derby on Saturday and Sunday, March 2 and 3, as a breast cancer fundraiser. Fish must be caught in legal lakes and ponds in Waldo County and weighed between 8 am Saturday and 5 pm Sunday at the Belfast Variety. It is $5 per entry. Bait purchased at the store will count towards the entry fee.
