ST. AGATHA, Maine — The 21st annual Long Lake Ice Fishing Derby has officially wrapped and, in spite of subzero temperatures, anglers caught plenty of fish over the weekend.
The derby is the largest of its kind in the state, and this weekend saw more than 1,800 registered anglers attend. That’s roughly on par with 2024, Derby organizer Paul Bernier said Monday. Last year’s derby, which celebrated the event’s 20th anniversary, saw 2,184 registered participants.
“We’re very happy,” Bernier said. “The hardcores came out and it was busy over here.”
Here are the winners of this year’s derby.
Winners in the adult category are David Lizotte for the biggest salmon, weighing in at 4 pounds, 11.3 ounces, and measuring 22.75 inches long.
Jonathan Keller caught the biggest togue, weighing in at 9 pounds, .07 ounces, and was 31.25 inches long.
Tom Rouse caught the biggest brook trout, which weighed 3 pounds, 11.3 ounces, and measured 21.5 inches.
Andrew Cyr caught the biggest muskie at 16 pounds, 3 ounces, and 38.5 inches long.
In the youth category, Wesley Bernier caught the largest salmon at 3 pounds, 11.7 ounces, and 21.75 inches long. Keegan Morrow caught the largest togue, weighing 5 pounds, 4.2 ounces, and measuring 27 inches long. Lincoln Roy caught the largest brook trout at 1 pound, 14.7 ounces, 17 inches long, and Khloe Jandreau caught the largest muskie: 14 pounds, 0.4 ounces, 36.75 inches long.
For the all ages category, Ed Martin caught the largest cusk, which weighed in at 8 pounds, 8.8 ounces, and measured 31.75 inches long. Samantha Merril caught the largest perch, which weighed 1 pound, 8.7 ounces, and was 14.25 inches long.
Kyla Soucy won the award for the most perch, catching a total of 658 fish.
As Bernier and organizers packed everything up on Monday morning, he said they are happy with this year’s derby.
“The fish counts were low this year, and we expected that because of the conditions,” Bernier said. “But overall, it was a good one.”