Louis Doe Home Center in Newcastle has been designated as one of the 22 weigh stations for the 2009 Maine Chevrolet Statewide Ice Fishing Derby. The derby will be held Sat.-Sun., March 7, 8 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The tournament is open to adults and youngsters and subject to all ice fishing regulations as set by the Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
Fisherman may fish all legal waters throughout the state.
“Competitors may fish for togue, pickerel, pike and muskie,” said IF&W fisheries biologist, John Boland. “The organizers have always coordinated with Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to ensure that the derby is consistent with our fisheries’ objectives. The derby has been a wonderful success, encouraging families to take advantage of ice-fishing and most importantly, raising money for local charities.”
First, second, and third place cash prizes will be awarded for the largest fish of each species. All anglers who weigh their fish will be eligible for the grand prize drawing of a 2008 Chevy 4 x4.
The Maine Chevrolet Derby 2009, organized and hosted by the Sebago Lake Rotary Club is a fundraiser for The Good Shepard Food Bank which supplies 500 food pantries throughout Maine, as well as Camp Sunshine, Maine Children’s Cancer Program, Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, the Rotary Foundation, the DARE Program, and local charities selected by the statewide weigh stations.
Maine fishing licenses and derby entries may be purchased at Louis Doe’s. Entries along with a complete set of rules, prizes, weigh station locations, and registration information is available on line at www.icefishingderby.com or by phoning 1-888-ICE-FLAG.
The entry fee is $20 per person and $30 for a Kid Pack, which includes entry for two parents and up to six children under the age of 18.
The 2009 Maine Chevy Derby Fest Awards Ceremony and truck drawing will be held Tues., March 10.
The Damariscotta Region Chamber of Commerce is providing lodging referrals and reservations through its website at www.damariscottaregion.com for competitors who will be ice-fishing on Midcoast area lakes and ponds.
