The Healthy Lake Committee of Pelican Lake will be holding their ice fishing derby in Ninette next month.

Traditionally, the annual event is held the first Saturday in March, this year landing on March 5th.

Committee Chair, Trevor Maguire, says there are a few changes this year, starting with registration.

“Unfortunately, it will only be online registration,” he explains. “So, no registration at the derby, you have to do it online, and that seems to be going quite well.  People are wanting to get out and do something!”

Their first fishing derby, a handful of years ago, brought some 350 anglers together from across the province. Their personal record of attendance was just over 1000 participants only a few years later.  “So, somewhere between those two, we’re hoping!” he laughs.

Registration opened up February 1st, and response from sponsors and participants have been strong.

Current Covid rules prohibit more than 50 people gathered together, so the Healthy Lake Committee is looking at a new way to announce prize-winners, in keeping within the Covid guidelines.

“We’ll still have the prizes, but we won’t have the ability to wander around and pick your favorite prize,” explains Maguire.  “The prize will be dedicated to the position.  So, if you get the third largest perch, you’ll know what your prize is beforehand.”

Each year the prize ceremony held at the end of the derby in mid-afternoon brought hundreds of anglers together, for the announcement of the Grand Prize winner, the top anglers with the largest species, random prize draws and the 50/50 draw.

During this year’s prize ceremony, anglers can listen from the comfort of their vehicles or ice fishing shacks by way of radio.  Winners will be announced on an FM station, “and people will be able to follow along and if their names are called, they can come up and claim their prize.  We won’t have the gathering, because of Covid rules.”

Anglers have been thrilled this winter with the healthy fishing at Pelican Lake.  “Fishing has been amazing this year,” shares Maguire.  “It went on fire in October and it’s been on fire ever since.  The water is crystal clear!”

“Yup! March 5th we’re going to attempt to run a fishing derby under Covid rules so it’s going to be a little weird but we’re going to make it work, and it will still be a lot of fun and hopefully we can get back to normal next year!” adds Maguire.

Visit https://www.healthylake.ca/ to register.  A confirmation ticket will be emailed to participants, to present in digital or printed format on the morning of the derby, March 5th.