One of the largest ice fishing derbies in Southwestern Manitoba will take place Saturday, March 3rd at Pelican Lake.

The Healthy Lake Committee hosts the derby each year and it continues to grow in popularity. “This is our fifth year and we look forward to seeing another big crowd out on Saturday” said committee chair Trevor Maguire.

Last year they attracted 750 people and he says based on the online registrations for this year’s derby they will surpass that mark and could have close to 1,000 people fishing for the big one.

“The first few years people showed uop because the fishing was so good and over the past couple of years our prizes have gotten really good and now they also come for the prizes and just a fund day.”

Maguire says people are still catching fish and he says the walleye are reasonable but nowhere near as good as it was in the hay day a few years ago. Jack are plentiful and the perch population is considered weak.

“We urge people to register online because it’s only $30 compared to $40 if you wait until you get here. It’s a bit of a nightmare trying to register hundreds of people if they all show up at the same time.”

This year’s derby has about $20,000 in prizes up for grabs including an $8,000 quad to the person catching the longest fish.