Annual Great Meredith Rotary Ice Fishing Derby

No need to stay inside during the long winter months this year, just waiting for the sun to come out dreaming about open water and summer fun! Be adventurous, bundle up, get outside, and try fishing in a whole new way – through the ice at the 33rd annual Great Meredith Rotary Ice fishing Derby the weekend of Feb. 11 and 12!

Ice fishing action can be fast and furious with fisherman from all across the country converging on Lake Winnipesaukee to vie for the fantastic prizes. Shawn Marzerka owner of Woods ‘N Water fishing and hunting guide services says “There is nothing like the excitement of seeing the yellow flag go up on your tip-up alerting you to a fish on. You are always imaging that this will be the big catch to get your fish hung up on the wall of fame and winning the grand prize.”

And the $63,000 worth of prizes this year are grand indeed. The 2012 grand prize for the largest Meredith Rotary-tagged rainbow trout is a John Deere XUV 825i Camo, second place pulls in a Polaris 500 Touring ATV, and third place gets an ice fishing package including a portable bob house.

Young anglers and their parents are not left out. The Derby will host a “Let’s Go Fishing” program for kids on Saturday February 11th in conjunction with the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department.

The clinics will be held hourly from 10 AM through 3 PM at the roped-off area behind the Derby Headquarters on Lake Winnipesaukee. A member of the NH Fish & Game Department will demonstrate ice-fishing techniques such as using tip-ups, sounding the hole, and operating a power auger.

And you don’t have to fish to win. Just enter by paying a $30 fee an you could be awarded one of the many cash prizes as well.

One caveat… in 2006, the Meredith Ice Fishing Derby had to be postponed for one week due to weather conditions. For updates and to enter the Derby go to www.meredithrotary.org.

Good luck and stay warm!