What the Great North Woods Ice Fishing Derby is and when it happens
The Great North Woods Ice Fishing Derby is an annual winter tournament held in the Coos County region of northern New Hampshire, centered around the lakes and ponds of the North Country. The derby brings together local anglers and visitors who want to fish through the ice for a day or weekend, compete for prizes, and be part of a community event that has become a fixture of the winter fishing calendar in that part of the state.
The derby typically runs in late winter — check with local tackle shops, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, or the town recreation offices in Coos County for the exact dates each year, as they shift based on ice conditions and organizer schedules. Ice thickness and safety are the deciding factors, so the event does not happen on a fixed calendar date.
The tournament is open to anglers of all ages and experience levels. You do not need to be a resident of New Hampshire to enter, though some derbies offer separate categories for locals and visitors, or different fee structures. Bring your own ice fishing gear — rod, line, auger, shelter if you want one — and fish the designated waters during the official hours.
Key Takeaways
- The Great North Woods Ice Fishing Derby runs in late winter in Coos County, with exact dates announced by local organizers once ice conditions are safe.
- You fish for a set period (usually one day or a weekend), and prizes go to the heaviest fish or most fish caught, depending on the derby rules that year.
- Entry fees are modest — typically $15 to $40 per angler — and go toward prizes and event costs.
- Bring your own ice fishing equipment: rod, reel, line, auger, and shelter or warm clothing, because the North Country winter is cold and exposure is real.
- Check the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department website or call ahead to confirm the derby is running that year and to learn which waters are open to the tournament.
How to register and what the entry fee covers
Registration for the Great North Woods Ice Fishing Derby usually opens a few weeks before the event and closes the day before or the morning of the tournament. You can register in person at a local tackle shop, bait and tackle retailer, or town recreation office in the Coos County area — these are the traditional registration points for North Country derbies. Some years, organizers also accept registration by phone or mail; call ahead to confirm the method for the current year.
Entry fees typically range from $15 to $40 per person, depending on whether you are fishing as an adult, junior, or senior, and whether you registered early or on the day of the event. The fee covers your participation in the tournament, a chance at the prize pool, and sometimes a meal or raffle ticket. Proceeds support the event itself and often go back into the local fishing community through prizes, conservation work, or youth fishing programs.
Bring cash or a check when you register in person, as not all registration points accept cards. Ask at registration what time the tournament starts and ends, which waters you are allowed to fish, and what the weigh-in procedure is — this information changes year to year based on ice conditions and organizer decisions.
What fish species you will be targeting and where to fish
The Great North Woods Ice Fishing Derby targets the fish that live in northern New Hampshire lakes and ponds: primarily lake trout (also called Mackinaw), landlocked salmon, rainbow trout, and brook trout, depending on which water you choose. Some derbies also count pickerel and perch if the lake holds them. The rules for each year specify which species count toward prizes and whether there are separate categories for different fish types.
The derby is held on public waters in the Coos County region — typically larger lakes like Umbagog Lake, Moosehead Lake area waters, or smaller ponds that the organizers designate. You will receive a list of approved waters when you register. Not all lakes in the region are open to the derby, so fish only where the organizers say you can. This protects fish populations and keeps the event organized.
If you are new to the area, ask the registration staff or a local tackle shop which water is best for your skill level and which species are biting that week. Conditions change daily, and locals know where fish are holding under the ice right now — that knowledge is worth the conversation.
Ice fishing gear you need to bring
Bring your own complete ice fishing setup. You will need an ice auger (hand crank or powered) to drill holes through the ice, an ice fishing rod (shorter and stiffer than open-water rods, usually 24 to 36 inches), a reel with line rated for the fish you are targeting, and terminal tackle — jigs, spoons, live bait, or other lures that work under the ice. A tip-up (a device that holds your line and signals when a fish bites) is optional but common in derby fishing.
Bring a bucket or sled to carry your gear and hold your catch. A skimmer (a small net on a long handle) helps clear slush from your holes. Hand warmers, insulated gloves, and warm layers are not optional — the North Country in late winter is well below freezing, and you will be standing on ice for hours. Bring a shelter or windbreak if you have one; many anglers use small pop-up tents or ice shanties to block the wind.
Bring live bait (minnows, shiners) or artificial lures depending on what the derby rules allow and what fish are biting that week. Ask at registration what bait is legal and what has been working. Do not assume your home tackle box will have what you need — the North Country has its own preferences, and local shops stock what works there.
How the tournament scoring works and when weigh-in happens
Most Great North Woods Ice Fishing Derbies award prizes based on the heaviest single fish caught during the tournament hours, with separate categories for different species or age groups. Some years, the derby also awards prizes for the most fish caught or the largest total weight of all fish caught by one angler. The exact scoring method is announced at registration.
Weigh-in typically happens at a designated location — often a tackle shop, town recreation center, or warming shelter — at the end of the tournament day or at the close of the final day if the derby runs over a weekend. You must bring your fish to the weigh-in station by the announced time to be counted. Fish are weighed on a certified scale, recorded, and returned to you or released, depending on the rules.
Prizes are usually awarded the same day or within a few days, and may include cash, gift certificates to local tackle shops, fishing gear, or merchandise. Check the announcement at registration to see what prizes are offered and how many places are paid out. In a small derby, the top three to five finishers typically receive prizes; in a larger one, more places may be paid.
Safety on the ice and what to do if conditions change
Ice safety is the reason the derby does not have a fixed date — organizers wait until ice is thick enough to hold people and equipment safely. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department recommends a minimum of 4 inches of clear ice for walking and fishing, and 5 to 7 inches for a vehicle. The organizers will have checked the ice before opening the derby to the public.
Even so, stay alert. Avoid areas where water is flowing (inlets, outlets, springs) because the ice is thinner there. Do not fish alone if you can help it. Wear a personal flotation device or ice rescue suit if you are fishing on a lake you do not know well — many experienced anglers do, especially in the North Country where water is cold and rescue is far away. Carry a whistle and tell someone on shore where you are fishing and when you expect to return.
If the organizers announce that the derby is postponed or cancelled due to ice conditions, that decision protects you. Do not attempt to fish on ice that organizers have deemed unsafe. Conditions can change during the day — if you hear cracking sounds, see water on the ice, or feel the ice moving under your feet, leave immediately and report it to the organizers.
Local tackle shops and resources in the Coos County area
Before the derby, visit a local tackle shop in the North Country — towns like Berlin, Littleton, or Colebrook have shops that stock ice fishing gear and know the lakes. Staff can tell you what is biting, what bait to bring, and which water might be best for your skill level. They also often handle registration for the derby, so you can ask questions and get your entry fee in at the same time.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department's website has current information about ice conditions, which waters are open to fishing, and any special rules for the derby year. You can also call the regional office in Coos County to ask about the derby schedule and ice safety. Local town recreation departments in the Coos County towns sometimes promote the derby or have details about registration locations.
If you are traveling to the North Country for the derby, plan to arrive a day or two early so you can visit a tackle shop, scout the water if possible, and acclimate to the cold. The North Country is remote and beautiful, and the derby is a good reason to spend a winter weekend there — bring warm clothes, a full tank of gas, and the phone number of your lodging in case you need to stay longer due to weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to have caught fish before to enter the derby?
No. The derby is open to anglers of all experience levels, including people fishing for the first time. If you are new to ice fishing, arrive early, talk to other anglers on the ice, and ask the registration staff for advice on where to start. Many people learn ice fishing by doing it at a community event like this.
What if I don't own ice fishing gear?
Some local tackle shops rent ice fishing rods, augers, and shelters for the day or weekend. Call ahead to ask about rental availability and cost. Alternatively, you can borrow gear from a friend or ask at registration if anyone is willing to share a hole or teach you the basics.
Can I fish with my kids?
Yes. The derby welcomes families and often has a junior category with lower entry fees or separate prizes for young anglers. Bring warm clothes for your children, supervise them closely on the ice, and consider a personal flotation device for anyone under 12. Ice fishing is a good way to introduce kids to the sport.
What happens if I catch a fish but can't make it to weigh-in on time?
Contact the organizers or registration staff immediately if you think you will be late. Some derbies allow a grace period or will send someone to meet you. Do not assume — call ahead so your fish can be weighed and counted. If you miss the deadline, your fish will not be may be able to access for prizes, but you can still keep it to eat.
Is there a limit to how many fish I can keep?
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department sets daily catch limits for each species and water. The derby rules will specify these limits at registration. You must follow state law even in a tournament — the derby does not override fish and game regulations.