The Maine Highlands Guidebook Maine Highlands Guidebook 2019-2021 | Page 22

Annual
Ice Fishing
Derbies
Ice Fishing
 M
 OOSEHEAD LAKE TOGUE DERBY
In late January, Moosehead Lake celebrates
a long tradition of ice fishing with a
weekend-long competition. Cash prizes are
awarded for the three largest fish. There
are plenty of festivities for fishermen and
spectators. For more information visit
destinationmooseheadlake.com.
 S
 EBASTICOOK VALLEY CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE ICE FISHING DERBY
This annual event spans three bodies of
water: Lake Wassookeag, Big Indian Pond,
and Great Moose Lake. Reel in the heaviest
brook trout, lake trout, and bass. For more
information visit ourchamber.org.
 S
 CHOODIC LAKE ICE FISHING DERBY
This ice fishing competition has been
happening on Schoodic Lake for more
than 55 years! For more information
visit piscataquischamber.com.
 D
 OVER-FOXCROFT FIREFIGHTER’S
ASSOCIATION ICE FISHING DERBY
Each March, this ice fishing derby drills
through the ice on Sebec Lake. For more
information visit piscataquischamber.com.
GENERATIONS OF MAINERS HAVE ENJOYED FISHING YEAR ROUND
on the state’s frozen lakes and ponds. The ice fishing season depends
on weather conditions, but usually starts in mid January, when you’ll
see temporary villages of ice shacks and shanties begin to pop up
on the frozen waterways. Fishermen may catch landlocked salmon
togue, cusk, and brook trout. Many towns hold ice fishing derbies,
where competitors try to catch the most—and biggest—fish, while
spectators cheer them on. Shacks and equipment may be rented.
Registered Maine Guides
Plan a trek with a Registered Maine Guide to ensure you get
the most from your Maine outdoors experience. Maine guides
are tested, licensed, and registered with the State of Maine to
lead expeditions in inland fishing, tidewater fishing, hunting &
trapping, recreation, sea kayaking, and whitewater rafting.
Visit maineguides.org to find a licensed guide.
Local
Fishing Clubs
 BANGOR BASS CLUB: Bangor
facebook.com/Bangor-Bass-Club-73812932757
KATAHDIN BASSMASTERS: East Millinocket
facebook.com/KatahdinBass
 EASTERN MAINE BASS CLUB:
Greater Bangor Area
easternmainebassclub.com
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| THE MAINE HIGHLANDS.COM
DID YOU KNOW?
The Registered Maine Guide
program has been in existence
since 1897. Cornelia Thurza "Fly
Rod" Crosby was the first Registered
Maine Guide and was a woman.
She stood six feet tall, was the first
woman to legally shoot a caribou
in Maine, and once caught 200
trout in one day. Maine registered
1,700 guides in that first year.