The Boothbay Region Fish & Game Association’s annual Kids’ Ice Fishing Derby was held on Wily Pond on Saturday, Feb. 17, and the weather and the fish were more than cooperative.

Approximately 50 kids and 40 adults — a record number — turned out for the event, along with a half-dozen happy and active dogs. Skies were clear, the sun was shining, and light winds with temperatures in the upper 20s made for pleasant fishing conditions on the ice.

Thirty brook trout were entered in the contest by the 2 pm deadline. First place, good for $100 cash, went to Spencer Wood for a 15” fish. Second place, for $50 cash, was won by Rachel Barter for her 14 3/4-inch trout, and Braden Davis finished third and received $25 cash for his 14 ½”-inch fish. Eighteen other contestants entered fish in the contest, with honorable mentions going to Keegan Murray for a 13 7/8”, Madelline Hassan, Colby Doucette, and Andrew Meader with fish all measuring 13 ¼”, and Sophie White and Nason Heaberlin for a 13-inch trout each.

Fish & Game Club officers handed out 40 door prizes to contestants at the awards ceremony in the club house. Sam Markowitz, Nason Heaberlin, Arabella Hodgdon, Lilie Hassan, and Lucien Moreau all won rod and reel outfits donated by the club and Ames Supply. Peyton Barter, Chase Licursi, Anthony Barter, McKayla Pinkham, and Ben Hodgdon all won a gift certificate for a pizza, generously donated by “Bobo” of Hometown Convenience, and Ryan Clark was awarded an ice fishing trap, also courtesy of Ames Supply.

Jared Spofford of Boothbay Bait generously donated bait that contestants could use in the derby, as well as a number of fishing tackle items for door prizes. Winners of tackle that ranged from ice skimmers to bait nets to depth indicators and tackle boxes included Miles Murray, Keegan Murray, Ethan Clark, Nason Heaberlin, Colby Doucette, Nicholas Heaberlin, Emery Lorrain, Dean Brewer, Kay Knapp, Emma Doucette, Rafe Hebert, Jake Kelley, Henry Currier, Andrew Meader, Abbie Clark, Avery Barter, Spencer Wood, Will Sledge, Samantha Doucette, Braden Davis, Rachel Barter, Sorcha Salam, Sophie White, Lydia Currier, Madeline Hassan, Leslie White, Mason Michaud, Gabe Biasuz, and Sam Markowitz.

Kids and adults alike enjoyed free hot dogs grilled and steamed by Timber Brown in the clubhouse kitchen, six pizzas generously donated by T&D Variety, as well as hot chocolate, coffee, fruit drinks and sodas.

The Fish & Game Club would like to extend special thanks to those who contributed to the event including Boothbay Bait, T&D Variety, Ames Supply, Hometown Convenience, Martin Page, Dennis Blackman, and Timber Brown for increasing the cash prizes this year, and Paul Perry for donating food. Thanks also go out to Michelle Bryer as the club’s official fish-measurer, as well as to many other members who volunteered their time and talents to ensure the success of the derby.

The Kids’ Ice Fishing Derby, which is free and open to all children under the age of 16, has become a popular winter event and the club is planning to hold it again next February.