WILTON — The Wilton Fish & Game Association’s fifth annual Michael J. Rowe Memorial Ice Fishing Derby on Wilson Lake will be held from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, at Wilson Lake.
It coincides with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s Free Fishing Weekend, allowing any person may fish without a fishing license, except those whose license has been suspended or revoked.
A free ice-fishing clinic for all ages will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All bait and equipment will be provided.
Registration costs $5 and can be done from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. the day of the event at the Wilson Lake boat launch area. Tickets are also available in advance at Shelly’s Hometown Market, Backwoods Bait and Tackle in Chesterville, Wilton Hardware in Wilton, and Robin’s Bait Shop in Jay.
The first 50 youth to come to the registration shack with a ticket on the day of the event will get a free grab bag full of valuable items.
Door prizes include a 10-inch Eskimo propane auger with extra blades, fishing and outdoor gear, and gift certificates from area businesses.
All participants 15 and younger will be entered to win a lifetime fishing license donated by the Sportsmans Alliance of Maine.
Adult fishing prizes, including a tree stand, will be awarded in three categories: brook trout, togue and salmon.
Youth prizes include a boxed set of Max-traps for the heaviest fish. Other categories will get a package that includes a pack basket, bait net, a Max-trap and one Narrow Gauge Cinema movie ticket. Prizes will be awarded in six youth categories for brook trout, togue, pickerel, salmon, bass and white perch. There will be a special prize for smallest fish.
All prizes will be announced and awarded beginning at 4:15 p.m., but the weigh-in for fish ends at 4 p.m.
Food concessions will include fresh cut French fries, grilled hot dogs and bottled water. Souvenir hats and T-shirts will be available for sale. Tickets for a 50/50 drawing will also be available.
The derby is held in memory of Michael J. Rowe, a native of Wilton who lived in West Paris when he died in a logging accident on Feb. 13, 2014, at the age of 36.
For more information, phone 207-491-0780.
Alan Hart, a member of the Wilton Fish & Game Association, demonstrates the use of a power auger as part of the annual Michael J. Rowe Memorial Ice Fishing Derby on Wilson Lake. This year’s derby is set for Feb. 16.
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