Ice Fishing Derby Coming Up In North-central Washington

The NW Ice Fishing Festival in the Okanogan Highlands is a go Jan. 16 and and registration is now open for the 17th annual derby that runs 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Saturday of Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend.

Put on by the Oroville Chamber of Commerce, fishing occurs on Sidley Lake near Molson, with a grand prize of $1,000 for the heftiest haul.

Last year’s derby attracted 118 anglers who caught 43 fish weighing 105 pounds total.

Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and $10 for youths.

Participants are asked to not drill through an ice rink at the lake that community members have been enjoying, and to space themselves out.

Also given Covid-19, organizers say the awards ceremony will be virtual. 

For more info, see NW Ice Fishing Festival on Facebook or go here to register.