WILLOW CREEK — Homan’s Pond will host the town’s first-ever ice fishing derby on Feb. 11, the Recreation Commission announced this week, adding a new winter attraction to what organizers hope will become an annual tradition.
The derby runs from dawn until 3 p.m. on the 12-acre kettle pond that is better known as the site of the annual Ice-Out competition. Anglers will compete in two categories: largest pickerel by weight and aggregate weight of all fish caught per team.
Entry is $10 per angler or $25 per team of up to four, with prizes donated by local businesses including a $100 gift certificate to the Dry Dock, a season’s worth of bait from the General Store, and a $50 fuel card from Boucher’s Irving.
Recreation commissioner Patricia LaFleur said the event is designed to draw visitors during what has traditionally been the slowest month for tourism.
“January is quiet. The snowmobilers come through on weekends, but there’s nothing that anchors people in town overnight,” LaFleur said. “A Saturday derby means people need Friday dinner and Saturday lunch, maybe a motel room if they’re coming from far enough away.”
Amos Homan, who lives on the pond and has observed its winter ecology for more than 60 years, gave the event his cautious approval.
“It’s a good pickerel pond — deep enough at the center, plenty of structure along the edges,” Homan said. “They won’t catch much worth mounting, but they’ll catch enough to have fun.”
Ice thickness on the pond was measured at 14 inches Monday, sufficient for vehicles according to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
The derby will be followed by a chili lunch at the Community Hall, prepared by the Willow Creek Volunteer Fire Department.