WIIKWEMKOONG—Wikwemikong Tourism is pleased to announce the 10th Anniversary Ice Fishing Derby to be held on Saturday, February 10 from 8 am to 12 noon at Bayside Resort on Manitowaning Bay. Included in your derby registration is a rainbow trout lunch supplied by Buzwah Fisheries.
The Ice Fishing Derby is celebrating 10 years of fun on the ice by giving out the largest prize payout to date. Northern Ontario’s biggest tagged fish contest is giving you a chance at two guaranteed tagged fish prizes; the first tagged fish caught will have a choice at $10,000 cash or a 2018 Polaris Voyageur 550 Snowmobile with the Pimped Hut and all the swag. The second tagged fish caught will take home the remaining prize. New this year, is the $25,000 Lucky Catch Contest sponsored by AON Insurance. The third person to reel in a tagged fish will have a chance to match a computer generated number to win the $25,000 Lucky Catch Contest. Fifty numbered tagged rainbow trout will be released for the contest and all tagged fish caught are eligible for the top ten prizes. That’s not all, just for entering this year’s event you qualify for the Registration Draw for ten prizes of $1,000 plus tons of door prizes to be given away.
Wikwemikong Tourism in collaboration with community partners have been busy preparing for the milestone celebration. The derby social/prize table has moved to the Wikwemikong Arena ice surface to accommodate the growing crowd. They have also partnered with Wikwemikong Minor Hockey to host the licenced social and dance with the Manitoulin Brewing Company on hand serving up some of their products. With up to 500 people expected at this year’s event the derby has also partnered with Mukwa Adventures to offer on ice shuttle transportation with their custom tracked ATVs.
“This event has always been about community collaboration and local partners, the 10th Anniversary Derby is going to celebrate the people and businesses that have made this Manitoulin Island’s premier winter event,” states Wikwemikong Tourism Manager Luke Wassegijig
Once again Fuel the Fire TV will be back filming this year’s event as part of a Manitoulin-Killarney trout episode to air in season two on Wild TV in collaboration with the Killarney Sportsman Inn.
Annually the derby attracts up to 500 anglers to Manitoulin Island with over 50 percent travelling from off-Island. With this in mind, Wikwemikong Tourism has partnered with the Manitoulin Hotel and Conference Centre and My Friends Inn to offer exclusive derby rates. The derby has also teamed up with the Manitoulin Hotel and Conference Centre, Wass Tours and the Salmon Classic to give away a Stay and Fish package for the furthest traveled participant.
Proceeds from the derby help support Wikwemikong Tourism in the development and delivery of quality market ready products, services and premier events. Wikwemikong Tourism is under the direction of the Wikwemikong Development Commission, the economic development branch of the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.wikwemikong.ca or by visiting any of the ticket outlets in Sudbury, Espanola and Manitoulin Island. For more information call (705) 859-3477 or visit the Wikwemikong Ice Fishing Derby Facebook event page.
