Ice concerns spur Moosehead derby organizers to add another weekend

According to the original plan, the 9th annual Moosehead Lake Togue Derby with Ricky Craven was to be held Jan. 29-31 on Maine’s largest lake.

Nathan Paradis of Biddeford (left), with former NASCAR driver Ricky Craven, caught this 20.66-pound lake trout to win the 8th annual Moosehead Lake Togue Derby with Ricky Craven last weekend. The fish was 37.5 inches long. Citing concerns about ice conditions, derby organizers have added a weekend to this year's event.  (Photo courtesy of Tim Obrey)

Nathan Paradis of Biddeford (left), with former NASCAR driver Ricky Craven, caught this 20.66-pound lake trout to win the 8th annual Moosehead Lake Togue Derby with Ricky Craven last weekend. The fish was 37.5 inches long. Citing concerns about ice conditions, derby organizers have added a weekend to this year’s event. (Photo courtesy of Tim Obrey)

Old Man Winter hasn’t been cooperating, which has spurred organizers to hedge their bet as they wait for safe ice to form.

“It is uncertain what the ice conditions will be for the derby which is scheduled for the weekend of Jan. 29, and we do not want anyone to get hurt because they are fishing in the derby,” the Natural Resource Education Center said in a news release on Friday.

The NREC has decided to add another three days to the derby on Feb. 19-21.

To clarify: If there is safe ice and entrants choose to fish on Jan. 29-31, they’re welcome to do so. Weigh-in stations will be staffed during that weekend as well.

Other derby events, including the banquet, silent auction and door prize drawings will take place during the second weekend of the derby, on Feb. 20, at the Masonic Hall in Greenville.

For those who may have booked lodging for the January dates, the NREC has issued a warning.

“Many areas may not be safe and we urge you to be cautious and check ice conditions before venturing out onto the lake,” the NREC said in the release. “If the ice is not safe, please stay off and come back in February. Your ticket is still good.”

 

John Holyoke

About John Holyoke

John Holyoke has been enjoying himself in Maine's great outdoors since he was a kid. Today, he's the Outdoors editor for the BDN, a job that allows him to meet up with Maine outdoors enthusiasts in their natural habitat. The stories he gathers provide fodder for his columns, and this blog.