China Lake Ice Fishing Derby

03/01/2026

Two weeks ago today, we were soaking up the sunshine, watching our community come together to celebrate the Annual Ice Fishing Derby. The day was nothing short of incredible. The energy on the ice was electric, the excitement of the anglers was contagious, and the support from families, friends, and volunteers made it all the more special.

Events like this don’t just happen — they’re built by people who care.

We are beyond grateful to the sponsors and donors who went above and beyond to make this Annual China Lake Ice Fishing Derby what we’ve all come to love. Your generosity, enthusiasm, and commitment to supporting local traditions are what keep this event thriving year after year.

We encourage everyone to support the businesses and organizations that support this event. They invest in the place we call home and continually give back to our region. When you shop local and choose to do business with those who give back, you help strengthen the heart of our hometown.

From the bottom of our hearts — thank you for helping make this year’s derby such a success. We couldn’t do it without you… and we’re already looking forward to next year.

02/18/2026

Now that Derby weekend has concluded and we have had time to rest, we want to extend a huge thank you to the incredible volunteers who made this event possible.

We would like to recognize:

- China Village Volunteer Fire Department: For providing the fire station and assisting with parking, food, and various tasks throughout the day.
- Topsham Trailriders (Mike, Jenny, Ron, and John): For their weekend-long support with ticket sales, photography, live door prize drawings, and more.
- Gail: For her weeks of work collecting prizes, coordinating ticket sales with local businesses, and her energy during our live drawings.
- Sandy: The woman behind all of our facebook posts and live streams, and managing all of our technical needs.
- Cindy: For capturing amazing photos throughout the weekend and assisting wherever needed.
- Nick: For transporting Cindy on the ice for photos, helping with ticket sales, distributing kids' buckets, and assisting with fish turn-ins.
- Nancy and Bob: For keeping the clubhouse running, selling tickets on the ice, and their overall support.
- Ed and Bill: For setting up the fire station, managing traffic, selling tickets, and assisting with fireworks.
- Tony, Kevin, Colby, Craig, and Marcia: For selling tickets around the lake and providing some friendly faces around the ice.
- Erskine Track Team Volunteers: For their help with fireworks setup and cleanup, clubhouse support, and filling kids' buckets, and whatever else we threw at them.
- Darrell: For his hard work with fish weigh-ins, fireworks setup, and moving equipment and so much more.
- Sasha: For managing weigh-ins, ticket sales, kids' buckets, and providing fish updates all day, as well as running around doing anything she was asked.
- Tom: For his dedication to the Derby, providing updates, presenting awards, and ensuring everything ran smoothly.

Most importantly, thank you to all of YOU. We are fortunate to have such a supportive community. We look forward to seeing everyone again in 2027!

02/18/2026

Congrats to Derek Ouellette for winning the Ice fishing package from Central Lodge #45., While this was not part of the prizes from China Lake Ice Fishing Derby we know many of you purchased raffle tickets from them and we wanted to report the winner.
We would also like to thank Central Lodge for hosting the China Ice Days kick off dinner on Friday night.

Send a message to learn more

02/16/2026

Alan Young Memorial Fishing Award
Congratulations to Jackson Mclane for catching the 1.16 lb. White Perch!

Winner of the 50/50 – G. Hamilton who won $1737!!

Lifetime Fishing License Awards
Winner of the Under 6 years old, Sponsored by Foote Construction - Alexus Rumpf
Winner of the 6-15 years old, Sponsored by Miller’s Heating - Harper Neal

02/16/2026

China Lake Ice Fishing Derby - Fishing Awards Prize List

Lunker of the Day – Cody Hotham – 6.60lb Large Mouth Bass
– the largest fish in any category – $300
Sponsored by Diesel Dan, plus a Jack Trap (courtesy of NCL Landscaping)

Brook Trout
1st Place - Trevor Woods – 1.28 Sponsored by Vassalboro Car Care $200
2nd Place - Brandon Shores – 1.22 Sponsored by AMP Electric $100
3rd Place - Josh Bechard – 1.16 Sponsored by KC’s Auto $50

Brown Trout
1st Place - Jacob Martin – 5.70 Sponsored by Central Maine Motors $200
2nd Place - Kayla Vivenzio – 3.14. Sponsored by New England Imports $100
3rd Place - Scott Bayles, Jr – 3.12 Sponsored by Greg’s Place $50

Large Mouth
1st Place - saac Knapp – 6.08 Sponsored by J&J Improvements $150
2nd Place - Jen Chamberlain – 5.40 Sponsored by Morty’s Automotive Inc. $75
3rd Place - Duana Tobias – 5.26 Sponsored by KC’s Auto $50

Small Mouth
1st Place - Marissa Hamel – 2.52 Sponsored by Summit Electrical, LLC $150
2nd Place - George Hamilton – 2.32 Sponsored by Ferald Family Chiropractor $75
3rd. Place - Jackson Mclane -2.30 Sponsored by Raider’s Sugarhouse $50

Pickerel
1st. Place - Travis Steward – 4.58 Sponsored by China Lake Provisions $150
2nd Place - Axle Blackwell – 4.44 Sponsored by Adam’s Realty $75
3rd Place - Jason Moody – 4.06 Sponsored by Greg’s Place $50

Children 15 & under – most by count. - Yellow or White Perch Children’s Category – sponsored by North Country Harley Davidson

1st place – $50 and a trophy, plus a Jack Trap (courtesy of NCL Landscaping)- Blake Owen – 63 total
2nd place – $40 and a trophy -Everett Packard – 41 total
3rd place – $30 and a trophy -Payson Gower – 38 total
4th place – $20 and a trophy – Lyle Peavey – 30 total
5th place – $10 and a trophy – Matthew Morin – 22 total

02/16/2026

Thank you to everyone who participated in the 7th Annual China Lake Ice Fishing Derby! It was awesome to see so many people out on the lake.
A huge THANK YOU to all of our prize sponsors—this incredible prize lineup wouldn’t have been possible without your generosity and support!

Here is a full list of the door prize raffle drawing! Please let us know if your name is spelled wrong. (As you know...it's not always easy reading your writing! LOL)

· 201 Battery – $100 Gift Card – Kari Goethe
· Ægir’s Den Meadery – $50 Gift Card and a hat – Eric Hillard
· Allen Insurance and Financial – $50 Mid-Maine Gift Card – Dolly Batteese
· Basham Tree Service – Pelican Trek 60 Jet Sled – Jason Dickson
· B & B Septic – Pumping Service within their Service Area – Ariel Miller
· Bout Creating – 12×12 wooden picture of China Lake with display easel – Jen Brann
· Braid Co. – (1) 24″ Handcrafted Woven Rope Ice Fishing & Pack Basket with Liner – Austin Melbourne
· Central Maine Powersports – Clam Drill Plate with Gear Box on an 8″ Ice Auger – Richard Carter
· Central Maine Powersports – Garvee Collapsible Heavy Duty Wagon/Cart with Wheels – Michael Morin
· China Four Seasons Club – (2) 20 oz. Yeti Insulated Tumblers with CLIFD Logo and a Fleece Winter Derby Hat – Peter Foote
· Chase Toys – Batman Youth ATV Helmets – size Medium – Karen Howard
· Circle K in China – $50 Gift Card – Sydney Poulin
· Daniel Horning – (2) Rodent Condos – 1 Lrg and 1 Sm – Tom Dunton
· Delano Seafood – $50 Gift Card to Restaurant or Store – Zach Hale
· Dr. Auto – (1) XL Camo Milwaukee Heated Jacket – Scott Dionne
· DW Excavation – $100 CASH – Ron Rollins
· Foote Construction – Milwaukee M18 FUEL Hammer Drill & Impact Driver Combo (2 Batteries) – Al Lawrence
· Hannaford’s of China – Professional Foldable Ping Pong Table Set – Aaron Sousa
· Harvest Time Bait – $100 CASH – Richard Goodrich
· Jack Traps – Ultimate Pack including (5) Jack Traps, Pack Basket, Jig Stick, Skimmer and Hat, PLUS an Eskimo E40 10″ Auger and an XL Jet Sled! – Terry Demnes
· Joseph’s Market – $50 Gift Card – Ryan Morrow
· Joseph’s Market – $50 Gift Card – Eli Packard
· Joseph’s Market – $50 Gift Card – Noah Leeman
· Joseph’s Market – $50 Gift Card – Sam Kiny
· Lakeview Lumber – 36″ Blackstone Grill & Airfryer Combo! – Lynda Watson
· Lakeview Lumber – 58 Quart Orca Cooler – Aiden Carl
· Lakeview Lumber – 20V Max Dewalt Cordless Drill – Roland Rollins
· Lakeview Lumber – $50 Gift Card – Laken Welch
· Lakeview Lumber – $50 Gift Card – Zach Isbell
· MA Haskell – $250 Gift Card – Terry Poulin
· Maine Paranormal and Horror Convention – (4) Single Day Passes to the Convention – Patricia Collins
· Meadowbrook Bait – $100 CASH – Saylor Holbrook
· MJEK Seafood – $50 Gift Cards – David Longstaff
· MJEK Seafood – $50 Gift Cards – Jason Longley
· Nash’s Cafe – $50 Gift Card – Cody Walker
· New England Sled Talk – Co****le Board Set with Bags – Adrian Arnold
· Nutrition Nook – Basket of Goodies! – Steve Greene
· Nutrition Nook – Basket of Goodies! – Dan Washburn
· Pointe Afta – $50 Gift Card – McCenky
· Polished Salon – Salon Gift Basket – Mariah Bean
· Raider’s Sugarhouse – $50 Maple Themed Gift Basket – Travis Mitchell
· R.L.Mercantile & Trading Post in Vassalboro – Ice Fishing Supplies, including a Gift Card for (4) dozen Medium Shiners – Joshua Briggs
· Roddy’s Redemption – Valentine’s Gift Basket, including a $100 Gift Card to Apollos, plus many extras – to be combined with Apollo Hair Salon & Spa – $50 Gift Card – Judy Reny
· Sheridan Construction – $100 CASH – Brian Barnaby
· Sheridan Construction – $100 CASH – AJ Cain
· Sheridan Construction – $100 CASH – Nick Chabot
· Sheridan Construction – $100 Hannaford Gift Card – Julie Wing
· Sheridan Construction – $100 Hannaford Gift Card – Kim Crouse
· Standard Waterproofing – Buddy Heater – Josh Hutchinson
· Standard Waterproofing – Ultimate “Keep your Rig Clean” Kit, including a 75ft. Pocket Hose – Scott Bayles, Jr.
· TJ’s Classic Billiards Pool Hall in Waterville – $50 Gift Card – Brian Gurette
· TJ’s Classic Billiards Pool Hall in Waterville – $50 Gift Card – Al Lawrence
· Tobey’s Grocery – $50 Gift Card -Curtis Lyman
· Tobey’s Grocery – $50 Gift Card – Logan Lee
· Tucker Chevrolet – A Free Oil Change Certificate – Herbie Shores
· Vacationland Rental – TrumanPick 42 ” Fire Pit with 2 Swivel BBQ Grills, Lid and Poker; (2) Oversized Camping Chairs – Ken Dubord
· Wing’s Custom Apparel – Amazing Custom Apparel and Ice Fishing Package – Brian Poulin
· Wings Tree Service – Eskimo E40 10″ Electric Ice Auger – Joe Harriman

02/16/2026

The winners are now posted on our website, and we’ll be sharing them on Facebook tomorrow morning!

Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this year’s derby such a success. We’re especially grateful to the many local businesses and individuals who generously donated raffle items and fishing prizes.

And finally, a huge thank you to all of the volunteers who dedicated their time and energy to planning and running the derby — including the incredible crew from We-Atv 207. We couldn’t do this without you!

02/15/2026

Fish Weight Board
Updated Time: 3:25 pm

Lunker: large mouth bass 5.70 lbs

White Perch: 1.00 lbs

Brook Trout:
1st: 1.28 lbs
2nd: .98 lbs
3rd:

Brown Trout
1st: 3.14 lbs
2nd: 3.12 lbs
3rd:

Large Mouth Bass:
1st: 5.40 lbs
2nd: 4.78 lbs
3rd: 4.18 lbs

Small Mouth Bass
1st: 2.16 lbs
2nd: 2.00 lbs
3rd: 1.86 lbs

Pickerel:
1st: 4.06 lbs
2nd: 3.46 lbs
3rd: 3.24 lbs

Kids Perch
1st: 1
2nd: 1
3rd: 1
4th:
5th:

Send a message to learn more

02/14/2026

The Kid’s buckets are all set to go! A huge thank you to Bar Harbor Bank & Trust for being the Kid’s bait bucket sponsor and Thank you to Shawn McGlew for providing the kid’s snacks.
Make sure your kiddos stop by the China village Fire Station tomorrow so they can pick up one of these great giveaways!

02/14/2026

Ice safety tips from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife:
Winter is one of the greatest seasons to enjoy the Maine outdoors but to do so safely, you must keep in mind that ice conditions are always changing. There are many factors to consider when determining whether the ice conditions are safe, and they can vary from day-to-day and from one water body to the next.

To learn more about important tips and tricks to keep in mind when judging ice conditions, check out thier webiste:

There are many factors to consider when determining whether the ice conditions are safe.