Kick off March at West Carleton’s biggest ice fishing derby
By Jake Davies - West Carleton Online
CONSTANCE BAY – Start March on the Ottawa River as West Carleton’s largest ice fishing derby kicks off the month.
Mike and Peter’s 19th Annual Fishing Derby arrives Sunday, March 1 starting at 7 a.m.
“Prize table starting to take shape,” organizer Mike Fines released in a statement last week (Jan. 15). “50/50 tickets will be available once again.”
The ice fishing derby is a pike only tournament. There are prizes or the top three fish by weight.
Last year, 433 anglers registered for the tournament and Fines estimated another 200 or so came out to enjoy the camaraderie, despite the -25 Celsius degree weather at the beginning of the day. It warmed up to -5 C by noon, not including the significant wind chill.
“I was, again, surprised,” Fines told West Carleton Online last year. “It doesn’t matter what kind of weather we get, people come out. We’ve had such crappy weather the last few years. One of the things I love about it, is so many locals come out, just to grab a 50/50 ticket.”
Last year, the 50/50 raised $15,000 for the winner and the other half for the prize table. Catching the big one pays o too, as 17-year-old Constance Bay resident Hailey Maxwell won $5,000 for her seven-pound, 12-ounce pike. Nick Mosley was second (5 lbs, 8 oz) and Denis Demers was third (5 lbs, 8 oz).
“Hailey pulled the fish out of the water, the line snapped, she reached down and grabbed it out of the chilly water with her bare hands,” Fines said. “I was talking to her dad when she caught that one. When I put $5,000 in her hand, she was pretty excited. You have to be lucky too, ice fishing is not just skill.”
At this year’s tournament, minnows will be for sale from Al’s Bait. Lunch will be provided by The Point Dining Lounge. While no registration fee was posted for this year, in past tournaments the cost was $20 per person.
Pre-registration is available by contacting Mike Fines finesmike17@gmail.com or call 613-290-9936
“Looking forward to seeing everyone and having a fantastic day,” Fines said.
