Ice fishing derby season is underway across Maine. The state’s largest event, the Long Lake ice fishing derby, kicks off today with a record cash purse.
A series of other competitions are scheduled through mid-March, offering anglers opportunities to compete for prizes across multiple species, including brook trout, landlocked salmon, togue, perch and northern pike.
Here are some of Maine’s popular ice fishing events, listed by date:
Great Pond ice fishing derby — Jan. 24
Operation Reboot Outdoors hosts the Great Pond Ice Fishing Derby in Hancock County. Anglers can compete for cash prizes up to $8,000, with awards for the longest brown trout and pickerel, as well as additional raffles and prizes for participants. Past events have also included awards for the longest or heaviest fish in other species categories, providing opportunities for anglers of all ages and experience levels to compete.
Pushaw Lake ice fishing derby — Jan. 31-Feb. 1
The Pushaw Lake Snowmobile Club runs the derby on Pushaw Lake and Little Pushaw in Hudson. Now in its fifth year, the event has a $500 total cash prize pool and typically targets northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass and white perch, reflecting the lake’s popular warmwater fishery. Prizes are generally awarded for the heaviest fish or across multiple species categories.
Moosehead Lake togue derby — Feb. 6-8
The 19th Annual Moosehead Lake Togue Derby awards $1,500 for first place, $500 for second and $250 for third for the three largest lake trout. The derby encourages harvest of smaller togue to help control population density, supporting sustainable management of lake trout, salmon and brook trout.
In most Maine waters, the daily bag limit for lake trout is two fish. On Moosehead Lake, however, anglers may keep five togue per day, only one of which may exceed 18 inches. Brook trout are limited to one fish with a 14-inch minimum, and landlocked salmon are closed to harvest until Feb. 15.
Schoodic Lake ice fishing derby — Feb. 14-15
The 64th Annual Schoodic Lake Ice Fishing Derby spans Schoodic, Ebeemee, Seboeis and Boyd lakes and features a total cash prize pool of $7,450. Participants also have the chance to win a 2025 Sportsman 570 EPS ATV, in addition to awards for the largest fish and other shore prizes.
New for 2026, Maine’s state fishing regulations for Schoodic Lake allow anglers to keep togue under 23 inches with no size or bag limit, while the daily bag limit for togue over 23 inches is one fish per day. The change was implemented to balance the lake’s fishery, which has a high abundance of togue, while continuing to protect the salmon population.
Sebago Lake ice fishing derby — Feb. 14-15
Home to Southern Maine’s largest ice fishing derby, Sebago Lake is sponsored by the Sebago Lake Rotary Club and now in its 25th year. The event covers 24 lakes and ponds in Cumberland County and features prizes for multiple species, including togue, northern pike, perch and pickerel. First-place togue earns $1,000, second place $500 and third place $250.
All registrants are entered in a $5,000 grand prize cash drawing, and the total prize pool for fish categories is expected to exceed $12,000.
Free fishing weekend — Feb. 14-15
Maine’s free fishing weekend coincides with nearly 20 derby locations across the state, letting anglers fish without a license. The event is a great opportunity for newcomers or families to gain experience and join the fun.
China Lake ice fishing derby — Feb. 15
The 7th annual China Lake Ice Fishing Derby takes place in China and Vassalboro. Prizes will be awarded for multiple species, including brook trout, bass and pickerel, with cash awards ranging from $150 to $200 per species and a $300 “Lunker of the Day” prize for the largest fish. Youth anglers can compete for dedicated trophies and lifetime Maine fishing licenses, and raffle prizes from local businesses are also available.
To find a derby near you, check the online listings at Untamedmainer.com or Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
