The Sebago Lake Rotary Ice Fishing Derby is held every year in February and has been organized and managed by the Sebago Lake Rotary Club since 2001. This year the event will take place on February 14th and 15th, 2026.
The event serves as an important fisheries management tool for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife as well as a yearly fundraiser for the club. The derby also provides harvesting information as part of an initiative to manage freshwater sport fishing in Sebago Lake.
Sebago Lake is the primary water source for the Portland Water District, providing clean drinking water for over 200,000 users due to its pristine water quality, and remains one of Maine’s great fishing destinations for lake trout (togue), smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and, of course, landlocked salmon.
Togue was introduced into the lake in 1972 in hopes of increasing fishing opportunities, intending that togue and native landlocked salmon could coexist. Over time, while each was vying for the same food source, the salmon population began to be impacted while the togue population was increasing.
Leadership of the Sebago Lake Rotary Club, under the direction of then President Tom Noonan (an avid ice fisherman himself), in collaboration with the Maine IFW, we created guidelines for the event, which now celebrates its 25th year. The IFW continues to monitor the event, making changes to the guidelines each year as necessary.
Originally fishing was only on Sebago Lake, which, due to its size and depth, did not always provide favorable ice conditions to hold the derby, so the remaining 20+ lakes and ponds in Cumberland County were added to the derby in 2013 so that regardless of ice conditions on Sebago Lake, the derby could continue to be held on the smaller lakes and ponds. Perch and pickerel were added to the species prize pool at that time also.
The proceeds of the event go to the organization’s charitable efforts, which include their 12 local food pantries, veterans, children, senior citizens, and many more. Even the fish that are caught during the derby are collected and delivered to a fish processing plant, Nova Seafood, to be prepared, flash frozen, and then delivered to shelters for the homeless.
Over the years, the derby has even attracted the attention of National Geographic, having been chosen as one of only 5 ice fishing derbies throughout the country to be included in a series highlighting ice fishermen as they navigated the challenges of Mother Nature and each other in a contest for prizes.
Prizes for this year’s derby include a $5,000 cash prize drawing for anyone who registers for the event, even if you are unable to fish during the derby. Also, for this year, a second drawing for a ½-day guided fishing tour with Sebago Sport Fishing Guide and Service. The total prize pool exceeds $12,000.
All prizes and rules can be found on the website: Icefishingderby.com Registration begins January 1, 2026, and ends at noon on February 14, 2026.
