When winter settles over Maine and the temperatures stay low, lakes freeze up and ice fishing season begins. Whether you're a serious ice fishing enthusiast, or a casual angler who's just as happy to hang out with some hot chocolate and enjoy the outdoors, there's plenty of fun out on the frozen lakes of Maine.
The best way to organize your gear and enjoy your day on the ice is with an ALCOM aluminum ice fishing shack. Sure, you could rough it out in the cold, or use a pop-up tent-style fishing shelter ... but why rough it when you could choose rust-proof, lightweight shelter instead?
ALCOM builds the snowmobile trailers and towable ice shacks you need to get all your gear to the lake and out onto the ice. Our aluminum ice fishing shacks are built with our signature all-aluminum, all-welded, lightweight and rugged construction. Choose an aluminum ice shack in a compact 4'x6', two medium options at 5'x8' or 6'x10', or a roomy 8'x12' shack with room to bring your friends and kick back in some camp chairs.
Each ice shack is built with galvanized skis and a spring-loaded tow hitch for easy towing behind a snowmobile. Windows and water-resistant decking are standard. Want a little extra? Customize your ice shack with insulated walls and ceiling; fishing holes for the water-resistant floor deck; extra lights or windows; cabinets, or even a foldaway sofa or dinette! With a power package or solar panel upgrade, light it up and never run out of battery power.
Once you have your ice shack and gear ready, it's time to register for an ice fishing derby! New to ice fishing and wondering what these competitions are all about? While ice fishing has been around, in various forms, for over 2,000 years, the fishing derby is a relatively modern invention! These tournaments, often sponsored by local fire departments, Rotary clubs and businesses, are fun community events -- and you can find them all over the state of Maine!
Find a list of upcoming Winter 2024 ice fishing derbies on the Maine IFW website. If you're just getting started, also check out their beginner's ice fishing guide.
ice fishing derbies around maine
Several large annual ice fishing derbies draw hundreds of ice fishing enthusiasts of all ages out onto the frozen lakes each winter. Many of these tournaments are held on the same weekend, usually in February, when the ice conditions are generally stable.
The Sebago Lake and Cumberland County Rotary Fishing Derbies are Maine's largest ice fishing derbies, and 2024 will be the 23rd year this event comes to Cumberland County's frozen waters. The derby benefits Feed the Need, a hunger prevention initiative serving communities in the Sebago Lake region.
In Northern Maine, another the Long Lake Ice Fishing Derby is an annual event in St. Agatha, with proceeds benefiting the Edgar J. Paradis Cancer Fund. Fishing isn't limited only to Long Lake -- anglers can also fish in Eagle Lake, Beau Lake, Cross Lake, Carr Pond, Square Lake, Glazier Lake, Portage Lake, St. Froid Lake and the St. John River.
Between Augusta and Waterville, the China Lake Ice Fishing Derby is building a strong tradition with its fifth year coming up in 2024. At the Horne Pond Derby in Limington, participants can win a prize for the best-decorated ice fishing shack. In Hudson, the Pushaw Lake Snowmobile Club Fishing Derby has been running for more than 40 years!
Find the Somerset SnowFest Ice Fishing Derby on Lake George. The annual SnowFest brings winter fun for the whole family to the Skowhegan area, with events like ice skating, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Remember Josie and Nate, our friends with three Skijor championship wins? The Somerset SnowFest is also home to the only equestrian skijor competition in the Northeast!
Don't miss the Spectrum Generations' Annual Gene and Lucille Letourneau Ice Fishing Derby, which is open to all legal Maine waters. Mainers of all ages are encouraged to compete. Follow the statewide tournament rules, arrive at the Muskie Community Center in Augusta for official weigh-in, and don't forget -- no frozen fish allowed!
Win prizes, enjoy a day on the ice, and support local organizations by participating in an ice fishing derby. Make your derby day the best ever with your ALCOM ice shack!
Are you ready to hit the ice this winter and try something new -- or maybe just upgrade your ice fishing tradition? ALCOM has the answer with all-aluminum ice fishing shacks that will make your fishing derby day comfortable, weathertight, and convenient. Easily tow your ice shack behind a snowmobile, flip a switch to turn on the lights, heat up the hut and catch some fish. With a shelter this sweet, you might not even mind if you don't win the grand prize.
Find an ALCOM dealer today when you visit our brand sites to learn more about our lineup of winter adventure equipment like snowmobile trailers, sport decks, and ice shacks. Our trailers and specialty products are proudly built in the USA, with all-welded, all-aluminum construction designed to last for the long haul. We'll see you on the ice!