Anglers celebrate memorable catches during 25th annual Sebago Lake Ice Fishing Derby

By Ed Pierce

For those devoted to ice fishing, Valentine’s Day Weekend this year was filled with love and joy to participate in their favorite sport once again.

Adam Hamilton won first place in the togue category during
the 25th annual Sebago Lake Ice Fishing Derby by catching
a 17.45-pound, 38.34-inch togue on Saturday, Feb. 14.
SUBMITTED PHOTO    

More than 700 ice fishing enthusiasts registered to compete in the 25th annual Sebago Lake Ice Fishing Derby hosted by the Sebago Lake Rotary Club on Saturday, Feb. 14 and Sunday, Feb. 15. Despite some pressure ridges reported on the lake where the ice expands and forces up a softer area, anglers stayed safe and enjoyed making some memorable catches.

According to Cyndy Bell of the Sebago Lake Rotary Club, the popular ice fishing contest once again proved to be more than just an excuse to get outside for time spent fishing. She said that 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.

Bell said the event brings together people from all walks of life, helps forge new friendships among those fishing in the contest and produces great stories to share with their friends and families about their experiences out on the frozen lake.

Besides Sebago Lake, contest participants also fished in the 20-plus remaining lakes and ponds within the weighing area and unlike in recent years, they had adequate ice to ensure safety and found an abundance of perch, pickerel, pike, and togue fish ready to be caught.

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

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

Since then, the event has grown quite a bit to become the Sebago Lake Rotary Club’s largest annual fundraising initiative and through the years 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 nationally in June 2014,” Bell said.

Here are the 25th annual Sebago Lake Ice Fishing Derby winners:

· The $5,000 Grand Prize recipient was Chris Hansen.

· Traves Rocket won a half-day guided tour offered by Sebago Sport Fishing.

· Frank Chepke won an Otter Ice Fishing Shelter offered by Sebago Bait.

· The 50/50 raffle winner was John Thomes, who received $1,890.

Adam Hamilton took home the first-place trophy for the Togue category. His togue weighed in at 17.45 pounds and measured 38.34 inches in length.

Second-place in the Ice Fishing derby’s Togue category went to Lance Sistare with a 12.98-pound togue that measured 34 inches in length.

Dave Sheldrick received third place in the derby’s Togue category with a 10.77-pound togue measuring 29.34 inches in length.

In the pickerel category, Brian Rocray won first place was a 3.44 pound, 24 1/8-inch catch.

Ben Carlin was second in the pickerel category with a 3.28 pound, 24-inch catch.

Third place in the pickerel category went to David Dunnells with a 2.95 pound, 23 3/8-inch catch.

Mike Canton took first place in the perch category with a 1.62 pound, 14.7/8-inch catch.

Dan Remmington was second in the perch category with a 1.44 pound, 13.5-inch catch.

Finishing third overall in the perch category with a 1.44 pound, 13.5-inch catch was Jared Terroni.

Among pike catches, Ben Carlin was first with eight, followed in second place by Joe Carlin with six.

Arthur Mullin was third overall in the pike category with five pike caught. <

Sebago Lake Rotary Ice Fishing Derby returning next month

By Ed Pierce

Mark this one on the calendar. The Sebago Lake Rotary Club is once again hosting one of Maine’s most anticipated and beloved winter traditions with the return of the annual Sebago Lake Rotary Ice Fishing Derby on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 14 and Feb. 15.

Registration is now open for the
25th Annual Sebago Lake Rotary
Ice Fishing Derby to be held on
Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 14 and
Feb. 15. Shown is the 2025 derby's
togue winner Rob Stoodley with
his 9.29 pound, 32.18 inch fish.
Participants may register online at
www.icefishingderby.com
SUBMITTED PHOTO   

This will be the 25th year for the popular event that draws anglers and families from across southern Maine and beyond for a weekend of outdoor recreation, friendly competition, and community giving.

The ice fishing derby is open to participants of all ages and experience levels. The derby allows registered anglers to fish any legal ice fishing waters in Cumberland County, including Sebago Lake and surrounding ponds. In addition to species-based prizes, all registered participants are automatically entered into a $5,000 grand prize cash drawing, even if they do not fish during the weekend.

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.

Registration fees to participate are $25 for individual anglers and $35 for families, which includes up to two adults and four children. Early registration incentives are also offered, with select prizes awarded to those who sign up ahead of the event. Participants may register online through the derby’s official website or by submitting a mail-in registration form prior to the derby weekend.

Any or all of the fish caught during the Sebago Lake Rotary Ice Fishing Derby may be brought to designated weigh stations to be entered into prize drawings.

For 2026, the official weigh stations for 2026 include Raymond Beach, which serves as the primary headquarters station, the Standish Boat Ramp, and at the Jordan Store in Sebago. Fish must be brought into an official weight station during official weigh-in hours, and caught in accordance with all Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife regulations.

Prizes are awarded through the derby’s Fish Pool, which features a wide range of cash awards and gift cards. Categories include prizes for the largest togue (lake trout) by weight and length, most northern pike caught, and largest perch and pickerel. Each fish weighed earns an entry into prize drawings, giving anglers multiple chances to win throughout the weekend.

Beyond the fishing competition, the derby plays an important role in supporting the local Lakes Region of Maine community. Proceeds from the event benefit the Sebago Lake Rotary Club’s charitable initiatives, including Feed the Need, which provides financial assistance to a dozen local food pantries throughout the area.

Another benefit of the Sebago Lake Rotary Ice Fishing Derby is that it also supports fishery management efforts by encouraging the harvest of invasive togue and northern pike and helping maintain healthy fish populations in area lakes. Anglers who donate their catch also help others as it is delivered to Nova Seafood in Portland for processing and then donated for meals for the homeless.

The Sebago Lake Rotary Ice Fishing Derby has become a mainstay every winter in the Lakes Region and brings together families, outdoor enthusiasts, and community members for a shared cause. Whether participants are hoping to land a prize-winning fish or simply enjoy time on the ice, the annual derby continues to combine tradition, recreation, and local generosity. <

Abbreviated Sebago Rotary Ice Fishing Derby remains fun for anglers

By Ed Pierce

Sebago Lake wasn’t completely frozen over but there was a great deal of excitement surrounding this year’s 24th Annual Ice Fishing Derby hosted by the Sebago Lake Rotary Club on Saturday, Feb. 15

Rob Stoodley of Rochester, New
Hampshire won first place in the
Togue category of the 24th Annual
Ice Fishing Derby by catching a
9.29-inch, 32 1/8-pound togue on
Saturday, Feb. 15.
SUBMITTED PHOTO 

Recent cold temperatures allowed portions of the lake to ice over for the first time in several years and although Sebago’s Big Bay was not considered completely safe, the Lower Bay and Jordan Bay were favorable for fisherman to enjoy a great day on the ice, said Cyndy Bell of the Sebago Lake Rotary Club.

Bell said you could hear excitement in the fishermen’s voices as they came to register or to weigh their fish that they were happy to be back out on Sebago Lake this year.

“It appeared that the fish just weren’t biting like they had in past years so fewer fish were brought to the weigh stations on Saturday,” Bell said. “The event had to cancel Sunday in anticipation of the incoming storm.”

The ice fishing 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.

Anglers 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.

Participants also fished in the 20-plus remaining lakes and ponds in the weighing area that had adequate ice to ensure safety and found an abundance of perch and pickerel ready to be caught.

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 2025 Cumberland County Ice Fishing Derby winners

Top Event Winners

Perch:

1. Travis Lawler, 1.53 length, 13 7/8 pounds

2. Jason Vassillion, 1.5 length, 13 1/2 pounds

3. Heidi Lawler, 1.48 length, 13 9/16 pounds

Pike:

1. Ben Carlin, 3 pounds

2. Mark Beatty, 1 pound

Togue:

1 Rob Stoodley, 9.29 length, 32 1/8 pounds

2. McKae Curran, 8.49 length, 29 1/2 pounds

3. James Guy, 8.22 length, 27 7/8 pounds

Pickerel:

1. Brian Keahon, 4.03 length, 26.5 pounds

2. Brian Rocray, 3.82 length, 25 1/8 pounds

3. Charlie McGee, 3.49 length, 24 1/8 pounds

Through this event, the Sebago Lake Rotary Club raises money for cash prizes and donates to “Feed the Need,” which supports food pantries at the Casco Village Church Food Pantry, Casco Alliance Church Food Pantry, Gray Community Food Pantry, Crosswalk Community Outreach, Naples Community Resource Council, First Congregational Church in New Gloucester, Raymond Food Pantry, Sebago Warming Hut, Standish Food Pantry, St. Ann’s Episcopal Church Food Pantry and Town of Windham Food Pantry. <

New bench in Raymond honors legacy of community champion George Bartlett

By Ed Pierce

For anyone who knew him, the late George Bartlett of Raymond was a tireless community champion and someone who unselfishly gave of his time to others. Now his kind spirit and generous nature will forever be remembered as a new granite bench in his memory has been dedicated at Raymond Veterans Park overlooking Sebago Lake.

The family of late businessman and community supporter
George Bartlett gather at Raymond Veterans Park on 
Saturday, June 8 as a bench was dedicated in his honor
there and was donated by his fellow members of the
Sebago Lake Rotary Club. From left are George's 
grandson, Owen Bartlett, son George Bartlett, wife
Jane Bartlett, and daughter Vicki Bartlett.
PHOTO BY ED PIERCE

Bartlett was 84 when he died last July following a brief illness. He owned and operated the Busy Bee Laundromat in Windham for 38 years and was heavily involved in the activities of both the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce and the Sebago Lake Rotary Club where he helped organized events that helped those less fortunate in the area.

To pay tribute to his willingness to step up and help his neighbors and his service as an international ambassador for the Rotary Club, members of the Sebago Lake Rotary Club purchased the granite bench and hosted the dedication event for Bartlett’s family and friends. The ceremony included an American Legion Color Guard and a bagpiper and several of his friends and Rotary colleagues shared stories about working with him.

“George was the epitome of what it is to be a member of Rotary,” said Sebago Lake Rotary Club President Robin Mullins. “George was a Rotarian for 38 years and he accomplished so many good things during that time.”

As an international ambassador for Rotary, starting in 1990 and continuing right up until a few months before his death in 2023, Bartlett made numerous trips to Romania, bringing them greatly needed medical supplies and books for students. During a Rotary International project in 1998, he helped to collect and deliver more than $750,000 worth of dialysis and medical equipment for Romanian hospitals. While in Romania, he lived with Romanian families and developed many long-distance, lasting friendships.

He also was instrumental in establishing Rotary-affiliated Interact Clubs for high school students in Maine. While there, he stayed with his adopted Rotary family, making long-distance, long-term friendships. While visiting Romania, he was directly responsible for launching new Interact Clubs in Ramnicu, Valcea, and other seven cities throughout Romania and he also helped a young student from Romania, Gabriella Saftiou, to visit Maine. Bartlett continued to stay in touch with Saftiou and other Romania families he became close friends with on his trips there right up until his death.

Through operating his business, the Busy Bee Laundromat for 38 years, Bartlett kept his finger on the pulse of the community and knew what was important to residents of the Lakes Region.

“I didn’t know George for as long as some of the other people here today did,” Mullins said. “He was someone I valued though and always made time to see him when he came to my office. Once he asked me what I thought would be a great local charity to benefit from the Polar Dip, which was part of the Sebago Lake Rotary Club's Annual Ice Fishing Derby. I recommended the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce’s charitable trust called ‘Feed The Need’ which benefits food pantries throughout the Lakes Region. We then started the Sebago Lakes Region Polar Dip for Feed the Need in 2021.”

His father owned the Bartlett Radio Company when he was young and while helping at his father’s business after school, he became interested in mechanics, and later earned a college degree in mechanical engineering after a stint in the U.S. Army. Being an adept mechanic helped him maintain and repair washing machines and dryers at the Busy Bee Laundromat, which he opened in 1985 in Windham.

Mullins said that Bartlett’s outgoing personality made it easy for him to make friends and encourage others to lend a hand for charitable projects. His energy seemed to be boundless.

“He was a great partner for me in organizing the Polar Dip,” she said. “My job is to take the volunteers and help them work together on projects to benefit the community. There was nobody better at doing that.”

According to Mullins, Bartlett was also deeply spiritual, and she would ask him to give the invocation before Rotary Club meetings.

“His invocations were always hand-written on little pieces of paper, and somehow he never lost his place,” she said. “His care about others was a result of his spirituality.”

State Rep. Jessica Fay of Raymond said that the new bench is a fitting tribute to Bartlett.

“What a great way to remember our friend who spent his life supporting this community,” Fay said. “He just made people feel comfortable. George Bartlett spent so much of his life giving to others and he would want you to think about volunteering if he were here today.”

Bartlett’s daughter, Vicki Bartlett, said that her family was pleased to learn that a bench would be created in his honor by the Rotary Club.

“It’s such an honor,” she said. “Dad did so many wonderful things with the community. He did it his way, but he would be honored and humbled by this gesture today.”

She said something many people didn’t know about her father was that he loved magic and started performing magic tricks at a young age and was also a puppeteer. <

Cumberland County Ice Fishing Derby anglers overcome challenge to assist charities

By Ed Pierce

For the second consecutive year, a lack of ice on Sebago Lake couldn’t ruin the fun for participants in the annual Cumberland County Ice Fishing Derby on Feb. 17 and Feb. 18.

Travis Sparks of Bowdoin, left, finished in first place in the
Pickerel competition during the Cumberland County Ice
Fishing Derby sponsored by the Sebago Lake Rotary Club
on Feb. 17-18. Shanna Hudgin of Poland, right, was the
winner of the Perch competition. SUBMITTED PHOTOS
   

Moving to some of the 20-plus remaining lakes and ponds in the outlying area with adequate ice to ensure for their safety, participants fishing in the annual Cumberland County contest sponsored by the Sebago Lake Rotary Club found an abundance of perch and pickerel readily available and waiting to be caught.

This was the 23rd year for the Ice Fishing Derby and despite warmer temperatures preventing the buildup of ice on Sebago Lake again this year, the popular contest proved yet again to be more than just an excuse to get outside for time spent fishing. Proceeds from the Cumberland County 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 different food pantries throughout the Lakes Region of Maine.

Participants found that searching for suitable ice was challenging but the event brought together people from all walks of life, helping forge new friendships among those fishing and leaving them with great stories to tell about their experiences that probably will be shared over the course of their lifetimes.

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

Bell said in keeping with tradition from years past, many participating fishermen donated their catches which were then delivered to Nova Seafood to be processed and delivered to assist in feeding the homeless and those facing food insecurity in the Lakes Region.

The Ice Fishing Derby concept itself is credited to Tom Noonan, a Sebago Lake Rotary Club member, who came up with the idea 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.

“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.

An Otter Ice Shelter for the event was donated by Sebago Bait’s Rick Boutot. An Ice sled was donated by Sebago Bait’s Shannon Hallgren and a shelter for Ice Fishing Derby participants was donated by Cabela's Sam Eckle.

Here are the 2024 Cumberland County Ice Fishing Derby winners –

Top Prize Winners

The winner of the $5,000 cash grand prize was John Godbout.

Stephen Tufts won the 50/50 raffle drawing of $640.

Pickerel

First place: Travis Sparks of Bowdoin, 3.9 pounds, 25 1/4 inches

Second place: Adam Bryant, 3.86 pounds, 27 inches

Third place: Peter Reinhard, 3.66 pounds, 24 1/2 inches

Perch

First place: Shanna Hudgin of Poland, 1.74 pounds, 15 3/4 inches

Second place: Mark Plowman, 1.57 pounds, 14 inches

Third place: Greg LaChance, 1.56 pounds, 13.75 inches <

2022 Ice Fishing Derby thrills anglers

Caleb Slocum of North Yarmouth caught the largest togue
during the 2022 Sebago Lake and Cumberland County Ice
Fishing Derby last weekend. Slocum's first-place catch
from Sebago Lake weighed in at 15.86 pounds and 
measured 36.5 inches in length. PHOTO BY BRIAN BOYT

By Ed Pierce

A few hours of braving the cold and icy conditions together during the Sebago Lake and Cumberland County Ice Fishing Derby last weekend helped forge new friendships among anglers and created some stories that undoubtably will be shared for a lifetime.

Sponsored by the Sebago Lake Rotary Club, the 21^st year of the ice fishing derby was more than just an excuse to get outside for time spent fishing, it also was yet another successful fundraiser for charities and nonprofit organizations that the Rotary Club donates to, including “Feed the Need,” which assists with funding for 13 food pantries in the Lakes Region of Maine.

More than 800 participants tried their luck in fishing holes all over Sebago Lake and fishing ponds across Cumberland County this year in the derby as temperatures across the region dipped into the mid-20s with a light drizzle as the weekend progressed.

“There were fewer fish caught this year as fishermen mentioned the togue out of Sebago seemed to be thinner and fewer biting,” said Cyndy Bell of the Sebago Lake Rotary Club. “But contributions of fish from Sebago and all other lakes and ponds in Cumberland County were still top of mind for fishermen.”

Bell said that derby registrations have dipped about 20 percent for the past few years but attributed that to the fact that 38 other derbies were held in Maine this year on the exact same date.

“The free fishing weekend might have contributed to the increased number of derbies that weekend,” Bell said. 

Nevertheless, 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. 

Bell said that the exact number and weight of fish donated from the derby was still being compiled, but last year a total of 7,500 pounds of fish was collected, flash-frozen and donated to food pantries in the Greater Portland area.

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’s a list of winners from the 2022 Sebago Lake and Cumberland County Rotary Ice Fishing Derby:

Top Prize winners

Grand Prize winner, Alex Sparks of Saco, Windham PowerSports ATV

50/50 winner, Lisa Thibault, $1,915

5HP Mercury Outboard winner, Alan Rouillard of Buxton 

Togue

First place, Caleb Slocum, 15.86 pounds, 36.5 inches

Second place, Jonathan Sarbins, 10.55 pounds, 30.5 inches

Third place, Andrew Dalton, 9.80 pounds, 32 inches

Perch

First place, Greg Lachance, 1.54 pounds, 14.5 inches

Second place, Michael Breton, 1.42 pounds, 13.5 inches

Third place, Joseph Libby, 1.36 pounds, 12 5/8 inches

Pickerel

First place, Devin Prue, 3.76 pounds, 25 ¼ inches

Second place, Bob Zutaut, 3.64 pounds, 24 inches

Third place, Brian Boucher, 3.5 pounds, 23 inches

Pike

First place, Ben Carlin, 9.48 pounds, 35 inches

Second place, Ben Carlin 8.8 pounds, 34 ¾ inches

Third place, Ben Carlin, 7.38 pounds, 31 inches

Ice Shack

First place, Tim O’Neal

2nd place, Sunset Paul Huchro
3rd place (tie), Dakota Dunphy
3^rd place (tie), Becky Grooms <