44th Annual Ice Fishing Derby Rules & Regulations

​Official Derby Rules & Regulations
1. The Official Derby Headquarters is at Martin’s General Store, 2934 U.S. Route 7, Highgate Springs. 802-868-4459.

2. All fish must be registered in one of the six weigh-in stations: Martin’s General Store*, Highgate Springs; Hog Island Market*, West Swanton; Harborside Harvest Market, North Hero; Keeler’s Bay Variety, South Hero; Bibens Ace Hardware, Colchester and Big Scott’s Bait, St. Albans*. The * locations are equipped to accommodate “Catch & Release” fish.

3. Weigh-in times vary at each location based on each location’s hours of operation. The Derby will officially close on Sunday at 3 p.m. After this time, no fish may be weighed in.

4. Prize winners will be announced at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday night live on Facebook at www.facebook.com/islandsderby 

5. Tickets are $25 US Funds. Online tickets are $25 + fees (US Funds). Kid’s Perch Derby tickets are free to children aged 12 and under. Kids can hold only ONE ticket, either regular derby or kids perch. Tickets must be purchased by the end of business hours at individual locations, on Friday, Feb. 7. Online ticket sales close at 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7.
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6. Every fish entered must be freshly caught through the ice during official Derby hours (12am on Saturday Feb 8 to 3pm Sunday Feb 9) and becomes property of the Derby.

7. Derby judges will have final approval of all fish.
 
8. All participants must have a ticket-holding witness accompany them to the weigh-in for each fish.

9. Any number of fish may be entered by one individual, but only three fish may be weighed in and entered into the Catch & Release drawing per ticket holder.

10. All prizes and awards are based on the weight of the fish entered. There are seven categories: Northern Pike (20” minimum), Walleye (18” minimum), Lake Trout (15” minimum), Salmon (15” minimum) / Brown Trout (12” minimum), Pickerel, Yellow Perch and Other (Ling, Bowfin, Hybrid, White Perch, Eel etc.)
 
11. All fish entered must follow Vermont state’s general fishing regulations for Lake Champlain. 

12. The boundaries for the Lake Champlain Island’s Ice Fishing Derby run from the Canadian Border between Alburgh and Highgate Springs, and from the South side on the Inland Sea to the Burlington-Port Kent ferry route. On the West side of the Islands, the boundary runs from the Canadian Border south to the Burlington-Port Kent ferry route. The New York State Line forms the Western boundary.