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. <

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. <

Winners take home prizes for 9th Annual Togue Fishing Derby

By Bob Chapin
Special to The Windham Eagle

The Sebago Lake Anglers’ Association (SLAA) conducted its 9th Annual Togue Fishing Derby on Sebago Lake during the weekend after Labor Day.

Mike Whitman of Marlboro, Massachusetts took
home first-place honors with a 10.72 pound,
31.25 inch togue during the 9th Annual Togue
Fishing Derby on Sebago Lake on Sept. 7
and 8. SUBMITTED PHOTO 

In all about 100 anglers competed for prize money and merchandise during the event.

The prize for the largest fish on Saturday went to Fred Gallant Sr. of Saco with a fish weighing 8.52 lbs. As will often happen, the largest fish on Saturday usually holds up to win a prize on Sunday for the overall derby and such was the case for Fred.

He didn’t win first place, but his fish was large enough to win second place and Fred went home with two checks from the Sebago Lakes Anglers’ Association, one for $100 and another for $750 for second place in the tournament. Not a bad payday for doing what you wanted to do anyway – go fishing.

The largest fish in this year’s derby was turned in by Mike Whitman of Marlboro, Massachusetts and it weighed in at 10.72 pounds. He took home a check for $1,000 for his efforts.

Third place went to a local guide and his fish weighed 6.69 pounds, and he took home a check for $500.

In addition to these winners, three anglers took home a check for $100 for being selected out of a lottery for togue turned in and Andy Whitman won an additional $100 for having the smallest togue at 0.78 pounds that had been caught by hook and line, and not regurgitated by a larger fish. It was 14 and 7/8 inches long.

One of the purposes of the derby, besides providing prizes and a lot of fun, is to remove togue from Sebago Lake to allow other more desirable fish, young salmon and brook trout, to have a better shot at the forage fish such as smelts and alewives.

In all, the 9th Annual Togue Fishing Derby anglers turned in 165 togue, some of which were kept by fishermen and some also went to the Maine Wildlife Center as food for the animals there.

The SLAA wishes to thank all its generous sponsors and invite all who may be interested in joining the club which meets the second Tuesday of every month for a potluck dinner at the United Methodist Church in Naples at 6:30 p.m.

Look for signs in area variety stores and post offices announcing the derby for 2025, always held the week after Labor Day. <

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 <

Sebago Lake Rotary Ice Fishing Derby still scheduled for next weekend despite mild temperatures

Last year's 1st place togue winner, Brady Ouellette.

By Walter Lunt - While Mother Nature continues to tease ice anglers with changing conditions on Sebago Lake, derby director Deb McPhail says the annual mid-winter event is “still on” for the weekend of Feb. 27 and 28. Recent on and off cold has created changeable conditions on sections of the lake where ice fishers have accessed the derby, but because the high winds which prevent freezing due to churning waters have come mainly from the south, the ice just may hold at Sebago Station in Standish, according to fisheries biologist Francis Brautigam of Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The best advice is to always assume ice is unsafe, he says, so it’s best is to check conditions on the Rotary web site icefishingderby.com, which will be updated regularly as derby time draws closer.

ATV to be given away compliments of Woody's

McPhail reminds participants and would-be registrants that 50 Cumberland County lakes and ponds also qualify for the derby. The option was added in recent years when lack of ice forced the cancellation of the Sebago derby. The list of eligible waters can be found on the web site.

The derby, sponsored by the Sebago Lake Rotary Club, promotes family fun, fish management and local charities. Last year, according to McPhail, $65,000 was raised, benefiting local food pantries, Camp Sunshine, scores of other organizations and local people in need. She cites rehabilitative help for a child with multiple sclerosis and a ramp that was provided for an amputee. The polar dip, in which brave souls jump into frigid Sebago water, raised thousands of dollars for Maine Children’s Cancer Program.

click for local flyer

Ice fishers compete for cash prizes and the unique recognition of pulling in the largest fish in the area. The four species include togue (lake trout), pike (invasive), perch and pickerel. Prizes range from $100 to $1000 for trophy fish. The grand prize this year totals $150,000 for the angler who bests the state record for togue, which now stands at 31 lbs. 8 oz. set in 1958. In addition, all registrants, whether fishing or not, will be eligible to the win the drawing for a 2016 Polaris Sportsman 570 ATV.

Details concerning the Sebago Lake Rotary Club Ice Fishing Derby, including the children’s derby to be held in March, can be found at icefishingderby.com.