Each year, groups and organizations around Montana celebrate a treasured winter tradition with local ice fishing contests.
These contests are permitted by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks through a public process to ensure the contest meet regulations and will have no negative impact to the fishery.
Not only are these contests, or derbies, a fun way to fish Montana’s waters year around, but they often support a great local cause.
“Ice fishing is just one of the many ways Montanans enjoy winter months in Big Sky Country and these contests are one of the many fishing opportunities we manage at FWP,” said Eileen Ryce, Fisheries Administrator for FWP.
Public comment on the fishing contests should be emailed to fwpfsh@mt.gov by Sept 7.
To view more contest details, go to http://fwp.mt.gov/fish/whereToFish/contests/.
The following are the ice fishing contests and dates proposed for the upcoming winter season:
Northwestern Montana, Region 1
| Dec. 15 |
Perch Assault – Smith Lake |
| Dec. 29 |
Sunriser Lions Family Fishing Derby – Smith Lake |
| Jan. 12 |
Wild West Panfish Trail – Smith Lake |
| Jan. 19 |
Tobacco Valley Rod & Gun Sophie Lake Derby |
| Jan. 26-27 |
Bull Lake Ice Fishing Derby – Bull Lake |
| Jan. 26-27 |
Fisher River Valley Fire/Rescue Winter Fishing Derby – Thompson Chain of Lakes |
| Feb. 1-23 |
Perch Pounder – All Region 1 Lakes |
| Feb. 2 |
Perch Assault – Middle/Lower Thompson Lakes |
| Feb. 9 |
Ryan Wagner Memorial Ice Fishing Derby – Murphy Lake |
| Feb. 9-10 |
The Lodge at McGregor Lake – McGregor Lake |
| Feb. 16 |
Snappy’s Lake Mary Ronan Perch and Salmon Derby – Lake Mary Ronan |
| Feb. 23 |
Canyon Kids Christmas Fund Fishing Derby – Lion Lake |
| Feb. 24 |
Wild West Panfish Trail – Upper Thompson Lake |
| Mar. 2 |
Perch Assault – Lake Mary Ronan |
| Mar. 9-10 |
Tobacco Valley Rod & Gun Rainbow Derby – Lake Koocanusa |
|
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South Central Montana, Region 3
| Jan. 20 |
Hebgen Lake NAIFC Qualifier – Hebgen Lake |
| Jan. 26 |
Stan Shafer Memorial Ice Fishing Derby – Clark Canyon Reservoir |
North Central Montana, Region 4
| Jan. 12 |
Valier Area Development Ice Fishing Derby – Lake Frances |
| Jan. 19 |
Western Bar Willow Creek Fishing Derby – Willow Creek Reservoir |
| Jan. 19-20 |
Central Montana Perch Derby – East Fork Reservoir |
| Jan. 26 |
Ackley Lake Club Ice Fishing Derby – Ackley Lake |
| Jan. 26-27 |
Broadwater Lions Perch Derby – Canyon Ferry |
Northeastern Montana, Region 6
| Jan. 26 |
21st Annual Chamber Ice Fishing Derby – Fort Peck Dredge Cuts |
| Jan. 26 |
Ice Classics – Nelson Reservoir |
| Jan. 26-27 |
Arctic Games – Fresno Reservoir |
| Feb. 9 |
Hell Creek Marina Ice Fishing Tournament – Fork Peck Reservoir – Hell Creek Bay |
| Feb. 22-24 |
44 Hours of Fort Peck – Fork Peck Reservoir |
(via MT FWP)
