By Theresa Taylor
Raquette Lake Fish & Game Club will host the 15th Annual Mike Norris Memorial Ice Fishing Derby on January 31. Registration begins at 6 a.m. at the Raquette Lake Fire Hall located on Rte. 28.
Mike’s relatives and friends volunteer to host this great event every year and it is a fun and friendly contest for the entire family to enjoy.
Adult Division registration fee is $20 and there is a Junior Division for ages under 16 at $10. Contestants can wet their first line at 7 a.m. and last line must be out by 3 p.m.
All fish must be presented to the weigh station at the fire hall by 3:30 p.m. to be eligible for contest prize money.
Fish categories are: Lake Trout, Brook Trout, Salmon, Perch and Crappie. There will be door prizes awarded and a 50/50 drawing at the end of the derby.
Coffee, hot chocolate and snacks will be available at the fire hall throughout the day. The fire hall weigh-in opens at 7 a.m. and heated bathrooms are truly a winter treat!
The public is invited to attend the final weigh-in and end of the derby.
All are also welcome to stop by throughout the day to see if the contestants have filled up the weigh-in boards.
This event is held with the help of many of Mike’s friends as well as donations from individuals, businesses organizations, Town of Long Lake and The Hamilton County Federation of Sportsmen Groups Inc.
Any Raquette Lake Fish & Game member’s top fish will automatically be entered in the Big Board contest for the annual prizes the Fish & Game Club offers to its adult and junior members.
Fish & Game memberships are $5 for adults and juniors under the age of 16 pay $1.
Members receive a pin, membership card, annual newsletter and are eligible for the annual Big Fish Board prize money as well as The Big Buck Contest.
Mark your calendars for the following upcoming fishing contests hosted by the Raquette Lake Fish & Game Club.
The Lamphear Memorial Fishing Contest will be held Friday and Saturday, May 15 and 16. Prizes will be awarded in bullhead, lake trout, brook trout perch and salmon categories in adult and junior divisions
Junior Fish & Game Member Derby will be held Saturday, June 20, opening day of bass season.
The annual Bass Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, July 25. Pre-registration is required.