WILTON – The Wilton Fish & Game Association members are preparing for the 3rd Annual Ice Fishing Derby on beautiful Wilson Lake on Sunday, Feb. 16, Maine Free Fishing Day.
Ross and Maureen Clair from Wood-Mizer, located in Chesterville have stepped up to help the WF&G Association with this event because they have strong feelings about youth learning the sport of
ice fishing and enjoying the great benefits of being outdoors. They are the Authorized Sales & Service dealer of Wood-Mizer, a portable band sawmill, and have been in operation for the last 13 years. With the help of the Clairs, the association will be able to purchase items needed to sponsor the fishing derby.
Pre-Registration tickets for the Ice Fishing Derby may be purchased at Shelley’s Hometown Market in East Wilton. The cost of the tickets for adult and youth is $5, the same as previous years. WF&G members want this to be an affordable event for all families and encourage families to come and learn the sport of fishing through the ice. Tickets during the day of the derby will be available at the Wilson Lake Boat Launch beginning at 6 a.m.. The event will end at 4 p.m. with final weigh in at the boat launch location.
Emily Maccabe will be on the ice at 9 AM offering a program through the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife call “Hooked on Fishing.” This is a wonderful opportunity for young and old to learn all about the ice fishing sport. Emily and Fish & Game members will be available to teach and fish with anyone who would like to join them through out the day, program ending at 3 p.m. No equipment is required. Everything is provided through IFW.
Senator Tom Saviello will be attending the derby mid morning and will formally present the Fish Friendly Ice Shack to the club, which he won through the Maine’s Fisheries Improvement Network (FIN), and alliance of forest landowners and managers raffle. Saviello has been very generous in donating this building which will be very helpful in giving the youth fishing the opportunity to sit inside and jig when the weather is difficult. This shack would certainly have been helpful last year under the brutal conditions during derby day. Look for the yellow fishing shack around the boat launch
location and come take a look.
With the generous donations from local business there will be many prizes awarded for the heaviest fish in adult and youth categories. There will be four adult categories: Togue: 4 Tubing tickets donated from Black Mtn. in Rumford and a $20 Gift Card from NAPA Auto. Trout: 2 nights camping at
Natanis Pt. Campground in Chain of Ponds with a $20 Gift Card from Falls General Store. Salmon: Aluminum Pack Basket donated by Greg Toothaker in Wilton with $25 Gift Card from Walmart. Pickerel: Pack Basket from Sandy River Farm Supply in New Sharon and a $25 Gift Card from Reny’s.
Youth categories (15 yrs. and under). Togue, Trout, Salmon, Pickerel, and Bass. Each winner will receive: $25 donated by Franklin Savings Bank, One Max-Trap donated by Brian Maxham, and Two Movie tickets from Narrow Gauge Cinema. Frozen Fish will no be accepted at weigh-in. Remember that fish are to be taken from Wilson (Wilton) Lake only. Ticket required at final weigh-in. All youth that are registered with the “Hooked on Fishing” Program and registered in the heaviest fish category will have their name entered for a Youth Lifetime Fishing License donated by Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine. The winner will be drawn at the time of the final weigh-in. (4 PM). Several other door prizes will be drawn: Expenet Computer Services-Wilton-Computer Tune Up-$70, Jack’s Trading Post -Fairbanks-Shooting Sling Stix, Frechette’s Sales & Service-Wilton-$50, Brady’s Snowmobile Parts & Accessories-Fairbanks-Bomber Hat, Hayden’s Shoes-Wilton-$25, Rick’s Mkt.-Wilton-$10, Shelley’s Hometown Market –
East Wilton – Three Large Pizzas, Farmington House of Pizza -Two Large Pizzas, Madore’s Market-West Farmington- One Large Pizza & 2 liter soft drink. Charles Tappan – Wilton – Trap/Equipment Bag
The WF&G Youth Shooting League will be at the boat launch location with their food booth. The youth will have available for a reasonable fee; hot chocolate and coffee donated to them by Wilton Dunkin Donuts. Water, Chili, Hot Dogs/fried onions, American Chop Suey, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, and assorted desserts. Funds raised by the youth league will be used to support their program.
Come join the fun. The members of the Wilton Fish & Game are looking forward to spending the day with you. For more information, call Alan @ 778-2450.
Additionally, new members are always welcome. Monthly meetings are on the third Sunday of
each month, beginning at 6:30 PM. There is no meeting in February as it is the day of the derby. At the March 16 meeting the members will be having a public informational meeting on Archery. Ron Fournier a Bryant Pond 4-H Camp shooting instructor will speak on the many programs that the camp
offers and on Archery Instructor Certification.
Good Luck to all of the ice fishermen.