ST. AGATHA, Maine — The Long Lake Ice Fishing Derby, the largest event of its kind in the state, is coming back this weekend for its 21st year with the biggest cash purse yet.
This year the derby is offering cash and prizes worth more than $75,000 with a $26,500 cash purse. Last year’s derby, which was the 20th anniversary of the event, had $70,000 in prizes and what was then its largest cash purse at $25,000.
When the event first began in 2005, around 100 fishers registered, Derby organizer Paul Bernier said. Participation has grown to 20 times that number, with people attending from throughout Maine, New England and other states.
Bernier has chaired the event since it first began. Last year, fishers came in from 20 different states, including California, Arizona, Canada, and every New England state, he said.
Last year’s derby shattered attendance records with 2,184 registered participants. The 2024 derby broke records with 1,582 people signed up. That year’s cash purse was $23,500, and the prior year’s purse was $22,000.
The derby is named after Long Lake, but anglers can fish in 10 lakes throughout northern Maine’s St. John Valley region.
Volunteers and organizers will be headquartered at the Lakeview Restaurant in St. Agatha.
The weekend will kick off at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 23, with an opening ceremony and the start of registrations.
Angling action will get underway officially at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24. Weigh stations will be open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.
Prizes include a 2026 Polaris Ranger Northstar and a furnished cabin worth $6,500.
Proceeds from the derby will also benefit the Edgar J. Paradis Cancer Fund, which helps families of individuals receiving treatments at distant medical facilities with costs associated with travel and lodging.
Anglers can also register for the derby online by filling out a form on the derby’s website at longlakeicefishingderby.com/online-registration.
The event is showing no signs of slowing down, Bernier said, although he added that in the future he may work more behind the scenes as younger crew members take over.
He recently got his son involved, and now there are four men on the crew named Jake. Whenever he calls his son, four heads turn toward him, Bernier joked.
“It’s been a lot of work, but it’s rewarding,” he said.
