If you're fisherman and like ice fishing, we have an event for you and your family. It's Northern Maine's Largest Ice Fishing Derby. The 7th Annual Long Lake Ice Fishing Derby offers prizes in several categories and for all ages. The Derby Lakes are: Long, Cross, St. Froid, Square, Eagle, Glazier and Beau Lakes.
The Long Lake Ice Fishing Derby is happening 28th and 29th of January 2012. Fish on Saturday or Sunday, or both, but get out and enjoy ice fishing at its best in far Northern Maine in beautiful Aroostook County. If you're from out of town and coming up to fish, check the weather for the appropriate clothing. Our typical highs in late January can be very cold, and after all it is ice fishing.
The LLIFD starts officially at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, January 28th, 2012. No fish will be registered after 5:30 p.m. either day. All registrants from Maine 16 years of age and old must have a valid Maine fishing license. Additionally, all Maine participating lakes fishing rules apply. Non-Maine participants 12 years of age and older must possess a valid Maine Fishing license.
The LLIFD registration fees are: 14 years and older, $15/day or $25. for the weekend. 13 years of age and younger, $5 a day. The Base Camp and official Weigh Station for the event is located at the Long Lake Sporting Club, 48 Sinclair Road, Sinclair, Maine.
The LLIFD official Weigh Station for Muskie fishing is located at Joe's Country Store, 1005 Main Street, St. Francis, Maine. All prizes for this year's event will be awarded at 6:30 p.m. sharp on Sunday, 29th of January 2012, and your do not have to be present to win. Any decision will be made by the Long Lake Ice Fishing Derby Officials and are final.
Any questions should be addressed to Paul Bernier, the official Derby Chairman, at work 207-493-3318, or evenings at home 543-6332, or you can reach him on his cell at 227-5252. You can email Paul at paul@aroostook.me.us.
You can pre-register outside the St. John Valley area up until 9:00 p.m. on Friday, January 27, 2012. The deadline for all St. John Valley registration outlets through 11:00 a.m. on Saturday morning, January 28, 2012. All other Saturday and Sunday registrations will be accepted only at the Long Lake Sporting Club location at 48 Sinclair Road, Sinclair, Maine.
Locations to pre-register are:
Ashland One Stop, Ashland, Maine; County Sports and Ouellette Variety, Caribou, Maine; St. Peter's Country Store, Cross Lake, Maine; Bald Eagle Inc., Eagle Lake, Maine; Quigley's Building Supply and Voisine's Store, Fort Kent, Maine; Frenchville Town Office and Paul's Gas, Frenchville, Maine; Mac's Trading Post, Houlton, Maine; Bob's Service Center, Diagle Sports Center and Central Building Supply, Madawaska, Maine; Northstar Variety, New Sweden, Maine; Sled Shop Inc. and Ben's Trading Post, Presque Isle, Maine; Lakeview Restaurant, St. Agatha Town Office and Babin's Grocery Outlet, St. Agatha, Maine; Morin's Variety, St. David, Maine; Joe's Country Store, Sinclair, Maine; Lake Road Grocery, Soldier Pond, Maine; Van Buren Tusla, Van Buren, Maine; and Saucier's Bait Shop, Wallagrass, Maine. You can also register on-line at www.stagatha.com/derby .
The Derby features cash prizes in the 14 years and older event. The first prize for both the Togue and Salmon is $1,500 and a trophy, second prize in both is $750, and third prize in both is $300. The first prize for Brook Trout is $1,000 and a trophy; a second prize of $500, and a third prize of $300. The first prize in the Muskie competition is $850 and a trophy; a second prize of $500, and a third prize of $300. Don't forget the Muskie Weigh Station location is at the different location (above).
The largest Cusk caught by any age will recieve $350 and a trophy, second prize of $250, and thrid prize is $100.
And for fishermen like me there is a booby prize for the most perch of $75 and a trophy. There is also a savings bond prize for the 13 year old and younger in the Largest Salmon caught of $200. For all other 13 and under events (Salmon, Togue and Brook Trout) there is a cash prize of $100 and a trophy for first, $75 and a trophy for second, and $50 plus a trophy for third place.
As with all family based events in beautiful Northern Maine the Long Lake Ice Fishing Derby reminds everyone to be safe, keep it fair, follow the rules, and by all means bring the entire family for the fun.
Gary Hill is the Northern Maine Sports Reporter and lives in Madawaska, ME. You can contact Gary at gehill@yahoo.com.
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