SEBAGO LAKE, Maine (WGME) — A weekend of fishing and fun.
Families, friends, and ice fishers from across New England made their way to Sebago Lake for the 25th Sebago Lake Rotary Club’s Ice Fishing Derby.
“It really encourages families to get out there and enjoy nature, get some fresh air, and get away from electronics,” Mark Morrison with the Sebago Lake Rotary Club said.
The event falls on Free Fishing Weekend in Maine, allowing anyone to hit the frozen lake to catch some fish.
“We have seen a lot of out-of-staters coming up here, trying their hand at fishing Sebago Lake because they don’t have to buy their fishing license, so it’s actually a great weekend to have the derby,” District Game Warden Peter Herring said.
A weekend of fishing and fun. (WGME)
James Lizotte came up from Southern Maine to participate in the derby.
Lizotte says this is his first time fishing on Sebago.
“I’ve been here since 5:15 this morning and caught this [fish] at 10 a.m.,” Lizotte said.
Lizotte says the clear skies and sunshine made for perfect fishing conditions.
“It’s not snowing, it’s not brutally cold, the mornings were a little chilly, and now it’s beautiful out, and the sun’s shining,” Lizotte went on.
The money raised will help serve 12 local food pantries and other Rotary charities.
A weekend of fishing and fun. (WGME)
Also, fish meat left over from the event will be sent to local food shelters.
“A couple years ago, the most we were able to net for meat was about 900 pounds, which went to the Portland soup kitchen, and that’s a lot of fish chowder,” Morrison said.
There’s also friendly competition involved.
Organizers gave out several prizes for the weekend’s best catches.
That includes heaviest lake trout, perch, and pickerel caught, and for the most pike caught.
A weekend of fishing and fun. (WGME){ }
“This all started in cooperation with the inland fishery, and so the whole idea is to get the invasive species out and the rest of the species out, lake trout being one and pike being another because they are detrimental to our salmon,” Morrison continued.
This year, one winner caught a 17.4-pound fish, which is only a pound less than the heaviest Sebago Lake trout caught on record.
The tournament had a hard stop at 4 p.m. Sunday, but many folks say they will be back next year.