Sebago Lake Ice Fishing Derby to be Filmed

The Sebago Lake Ice Fishing Derby, which takes place in February, will be filmed by a film company from New York. Details of the filming are sketchy but it appears that the National Geographic Channel has contracted with the film company for the project.  The derby takes place in mid-February. While ice fishing is a big sport for Maine fishermen I am a little skeptical on the appeal to television watchers. I mean . . . really . .. how exciting can that be? Like watching golf I suppose. Learn more in "Reality TV to film not-so-wild world of Maine ice fishing", Portland Press Herald, January 8, 2014.

Cold Weather Brings Early Ice Fishing Season to Maine

The cold weather in Maine during December and early January has hastened the ice fishing season in Maine. While not all lakes and ponds are frozen - some are - and the ice fishermen are eager to start their season. The ice fishing season in Maine opens officially on January 1st. Read more in "Ice fishing season weeks early on Sebago Lake", Portland Press Herald, January 4, 2014.

Ice Fishing on a Cold Day in Maine

A recent online post describes a typical ice fishing day in Maine. See "Dick Pinney's Guidelines: Ice fishing in Maine and good food", NewHampshire.com, February 9, 2013.

Taking Care of Ice Fishing Gear

Read one ice fisherman's story on how he failed to take care of his ice fishing equipment at the end of the season last year.  See "Digging out neglected ice fishing gear leads to moldy discovery", Bangor Daily News, December 14, 2011.  (Originally published in the Grand Forks Herald).  Click here to learn more about ice fishing in Maine.

Best Maine Ice Fishing Shack Contest (Nov 2011)

Back in November (2011) the Associated Builders and Contractors of Maine put on the "Best Ice Fishing Shack" contest as a way to showcase the work of some of its members.  The builders were given six hours to construct an ice fishing shack.  Read more (and see the video) in "Construction industry takes on the Super Shack", WCSH 6 News, November 18, 2011. The judges selected the construction firm Cianbro as the winner - see "This perfect ice shack could be yours!", GeorgeSmithMaine.com, December 5, 2011.

Listing of Maine Ice Fishing Derbies for 2012

A recent article on Seacoastonline.com has listed scheduled ice fishing derbies in the state of Maine.  See "February will be ice fishing heaven, we hope", Seacoastonline.com, December 19, 2011.

"Hardwater" - a film about Ice Fishing in Maine

A couple of guys have made a film called "Hardwater".  The film is about ice fishing in Maine. It is a feature-length documentary film about Maine's tribal, oft-misunderstood ice fishing sub-culture. The two filmmakers spent three winters visiting ten Maine counties compiling a documentary about the joys and frustrations of ice fishing.  Learn more at the two links below:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/534839598/hardwater

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hardwater/117360401707093

Ice Fishing - Pond and Lake Ice Strength Chart

If you are getting ready for some winter ice fishing in Maine you may want to get familiar with how much ice thickness is safe.  There are a couple of sources of information for this info.  One is an "Estimated Lake and Pond Ice Strength Chart" offered by Maine Nature News.  Another is a "Blue-ice strength chart" provided by bangorinfo.com. The US Army Corps of Engineers has their chart and an explanation of ice thickness at "Ice Thickness and Strength for Various Loading Conditions".  The wikiHow website provides an article on "How to Know When Ice is Safe".

At the far end of the ice fishing season you have the "ice out" dates. So what is an "ice out" date?  According to the Maine Department of Conservation an "ice out" date is ". . . when you can navigate unimpeded from one end of the water body to the other.  There may still be ice in coves or along the shoreline but when a person can traverse the entire water body without being stopped by ice flows . . ." the ice is considered to be "out".  The Maine Department of Conservation provides charts depicting "Historic Lake Ice Out Data" on their website.

Ice Fishing Season to Start Soon in Maine

The ice fishing season will open in Maine on January 1st; however, there isn't much ice forming right now so the season will have a slow start.  Read more in "Lack of ice on Maine waters hurting bait and tackle sellers", Sun Journal, December 18, 2011.  Learn more about ice fishing in Maine.

Ice Fishing in Belgrade Lakes Region of Maine

Are you looking for a Maine ice fishing adventure?  Try your hand at ice fishing in the Belgrade Lakes region of Maine.  Learn more at the website of Maine Wilderness Tours.

Ice Fishing Guides of Maine

The Maine Guides Online offers a listing of guides who will help you plan and conduct your Maine ice fishing adventure.  Click on the link below to see the listing of Maine ice fishing guides.

http://maineguides.com/search_by_sport/ice-fishing/

Ice Fishing Trips in Sebago Lakes Region of Maine

Fat Bass Tours offers ice fishing trips in the Sebago Lakes Region (southern Maine).  Fat Bass Tours offers ice fishing trips on Highland Lake in Windham, Maine (only 15 minutes from Portland).  They also provide tours on other different lakes and ponds in the area.  Click on Fat Bass Tours to learn more.  Click here for general information about ice fishing in Maine.

Sebago Lake Ice Fishing Derby

The dates for the ice fishing derbys at Sebago Lake are:

Kid's Derby - February 25, 2011
Sebago Derby - February 26-27, 2011
Statewide Derby - March 5-6, 2011

Learn more at the link below:

http://www.icefishingderby.com/

12th Annual Ice Fishing Derby, Little Ossipee Lake, Waterboro, Maine on Sunday, Feb 20, 2011

The 12th Annual Ice Fishing Derby will be held on Sunday, February 20, 2011 on Little Ossipee Lake in Waterboro, Maine.  Visit http://www.fetinc.net/ for more information on rules, tickets, alternate dates, brochure, sponsors, derby rules, and prizes.  The ice fishing derby is presented by FET, Inc in conjunction with the "Hooked on Fishing and Not on Drugs" program. 

"FET, Inc is a local nonprofit organization. FET’s mission is to promote fishing and more specifically ice fishing as a fun inexpensive family winter activity. Other major goals involve maintaining habitat and practicing ethical fishing tactics that will allow fishing to grow and prosper as a fun family orientated activity.

Proceeds to benefit HOFNOD, Inland Fisheries Division for Fish Management and Conservation of Southern Maine Waters, Waterboro Park and other local charities.

Hooked on Fishing and Not on Drugs (HOFNOD) is a state program that promotes youth and family togetherness through fishing within the State of Maine These programs focus on drug prevention, environmental education and development of fishing skills. Fishing is offered as a positive alternative to drug use while providing parents an opportunity to communicate with their children. Emily Jones is the State youth coordinator for this program. Please feel free to contact her for additional information on the program."

Ice Fishing around Jackman, Maine and Moose River Region

Ice fishing in Maine is in full swing due to the recent cold spell Maine has experienced.  For information about ice fishing in the Jackman, Maine area visit the web link below:

http://jackmanmaine.org/maine-ice-fishing.php

Ice Fishing Derby - Otisfield, Maine - Feb 19-20, 2011

Otisfield, Maine will hold an ice fishing derby on Saturday and Sunday, February 19-20, 2011.  The derby is open to fishing on Thomson Lake and Pleasant Lake.  The derby is open to all ages.  Sign up is at the New Outpost.  For more info call (207) 539-2323.

12th Annual Ice Fishing Derby - Phippsburg, Maine - Sunday, February 13, 2011

The Phippsburg Sportsmen's Association is promoting the 12th Annual Ice Fishing Derby to be held in Phippsburg, Maine on Sunday, February 13, 2011.  Learn more at the links below:

http://www.psassoc.org/infopage.php?ContentID=200

http://www.travel-maine.info/ice_fishing.htm

A Small Story About Ice Fishing in Maine

Read a short story about the experiences of an ice fisherman in Maine.  See "Ice Fishing in Maine", Ice Auger, November 1, 2010.  Learn more about ice fishing in Maine.

Ice Fishing in the Moosehead Lake Region of Maine

The ice fishing season in Maine has started.  One of the best places to ice fish is in the Moosehead Lake Region of Maine.  Ice fishing is a traditional pastime in northern Maine.  Moosehead Lake and its surrounding waterways provide fun fishing for all.  The ice fishing season runs from January 1st to March 31st.  Learn more about licenses and regulations, ice fishing equipment sales and rentals, and ice fishing guide services at the link below.

http://www.mooseheadlake.org/icefishing.shtml

York, Maine Ice Fishing Derby

The Springvale Fish & Game Club will host the first Annual York County Ice Fishing Derby on January 31, 2010.  Both adults and children are invited.  There will be cash prizes for contestants.