For the second year in a row, the Maple Lake Ice Fishing Derby has been cancelled due to poor ice conditions.
The 49th annual derby was supposed to take place Saturday, Feb. 3, but a combination of above average temperatures and rain left area lakes mostly ice free into early January. Despite the recent cold snap, ice uncertainty forced organizers to call off the festivities.
The good news is, there will still be a raffle for a brand new, Ice Castle Fish House. Tickets are on sale now at Madigans, H&H, the Maple Lake Legion, CJ’s Deal Depot, Cenex and Maple Lake Wine and Spirits. The drawing will be held at Madigans in Maple Lake during the city’s St. Patrick’s Day Celebration. Watch the Ice Fishing Derby website at www.mapelakefishingderby.com for more information in coming days.
The Maple Lake Ice Fishing Derby is heralded as the largest of its kind in Minnesota. It is hosted by the Maple Lake, Lake Property Owners Association and 100 % of proceeds are use to improve Maple Lake’s waters.