Fish & Game Assoc. To Host Annual Kids’ Ice Fishing Derby on February 15th

 The Boothbay Region Fish & Game Association will hold its Annual Kids’ Ice Fishing Derby on Wiley Pond from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm on Saturday, February 15, at the club property at 447 Dover Rd. in Boothbay.

          Wiley Pond has again this year been opened by the state for kids-only (under 16) ice fishing for the month of February. The Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife stocked the pond with brook trout this past fall specifically for ice fishing.

          The Derby will be open to the public, and the club gate will be open so that participants can drive up into the club parking lot adjacent to the pond.  The club house will be heated and open to all, with a free lunch of hot dogs, pizza, chips, and drinks. There is no entry fee.

          IF&W rules allow a maximum of two traps or fishing rods per child. No finfish (shiners, smelts, etc.) alive or dead will be allowed as bait during the derby, but worms and artificial lures are permitted. A maximum of two trout per child per day may be legally retained. The club has a limited number of loaner traps that entrants may use, and ice augers will be available for drilling holes.

          The club will encourage catch and release during the event, and member volunteers will come around to measure and record any fish that are to be released. Released fish have the same opportunity for winning prizes as fish that are retained.

          Five cash prizes of $100, $50, $25, $20, and $20 will be awarded respectively for the five largest (longest overall length) brook trout caught. The awards ceremony will be held in the club house at 2:00 pm, and will include plenty of door prizes.

          In the event of postponement due to weather or ice conditions, the club will post a notice on its Facebook page, Boothbay Region Fish and Game Association. The weather date is February 22nd.