Anyone registering in the Wawa Ice Fishing Derby cannot fish on the three Derby lakes (Wawa, Hawk, Manitowik) as of Tuesday, March 3, 2026,11:59 pm. Official Derby start time is Saturday, March 7, 2026.

Derby tickets sold before January 15, 11:59 pm will be eligible for the 2 Early Bird Draws. All tickets will be eligible for the $20,000 Cash Draw and the 7 Icehole Jackpot Draws.

Derby applications for new registrations will be accepted until 12pm Saturday, March 7, 2026, or 1400 entries, whichever occurs first. Registration is Friday, March 6, 2026, from 8am – 8pm and Saturday, March 7, 2026, 8am – 12 pm at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Center Arena at 3 Chris Simon Drive, Wawa, ON.

A valid fishing licence or equivalent is required to have a fish checked in and weighed in. See Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary.

All lines are subject to inspection by a Derby Board Member during Derby weekend. Participants MUST open the door of their ice hut when approached by Derby Official; failure to do so may result in disqualification.

Any participant breaking any of the Derby rules and/or any applicable Ontario laws will be disqualified. Participants who are disqualified will not be allowed to participate for a minimum of 5 years.

Derby fishing times are Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 8am to 4pm, and Sunday, March 8, 2026, from 8am to 1pm. Check in station times is Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 7:30am to 4:30pm and Sunday March 8, 2026, from 7:30am to 1:30pm.

Participants may use snowmobiles on all derby lakes. 4-wheelers are allowed ONLY on Wawa Lake and Hawk Lake. No other vehicles are permitted on Ontario Federation of Snowmobiles Clubs trails except for Snowmobiles. The derby is not responsible for disabled vehicles or OPP violations.

If conditions occur, which are found to be dangerous to Derby participants, the Derby Board has the right to limit the number of lakes being used.

All participants must do their utmost to exhibit good sportsmanship and be respectful to all Derby Officials. Please be responsible for your litter, garbage and/or debris.

The Derby will take place on Wawa Lake, Hawk Lake, and Manitowik Lake. Please stay away from restricted zones. These boundaries are set due to unsafe or harmful conditions. Wawa Lake has a no fishing zone near the water intake this will be clearly marked.

Each participant will follow the Ontario Fishing Regulations, 2007 SOR 2007-237 and the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act 1997 S.O. 1997, c. 41 and applicable regulations. A minimum distance of 200 feet from another flagged ice fishing hole is required. Only fish caught by a participant from their designated flagged holes will be deemed legal entries.

Participants MUST register at the Official Check-in Station on the lake which they are fishing and MUST check out when they leave the lake. Failure to check in or out on the lake will disqualify any fish from being entered into the Derby. This rule will be strictly enforced.

All participants will put a flag bearing their participant number next to the holes in which the participant is fishing. Participants can place their flags beginning Friday, March 6, 2026, at 12pm to reserve their holes. This flag can be moved during the Derby hours.

All fish (respecting Ontario Sport Fishing Regulations for Zone 7) that are kept by the participant for tagging must be brought live into the Check-In Station on that lake. A tag will be attached to each fish only by an official. Species tagged are restricted to Pike, Lake Trout, and Whitefish. NOTE: Check-In Station Official has the final word in tagging the fish.

All Whitefish must be a minimum of 2lbs. Pike and Lake Trout MUST be a minimum length of 22 inches. All size limits refer to total length which is a measure from the tip of the mouth, with the jaws closed, to the tip of the tail, with the tail fin lobes compressed to give the maximum possible length. Pursuant to the Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary.

All fish caught must be tagged or released immediately. Live wells are NOT permitted. The use of a gaff hook to retrieve a fish is not permitted. Each fish kept, must have a tag affixed to it by the Derby Check-In Station Official. Derby limit is 2 of either Pike, Lake Trout, or Whitefish each day, a total of 4 for the Derby, respecting catch and possession limits of Ontario Sport Fishing Regulations, Zone 7.

All fish must be weighed in at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre by 6:30 pm. on Saturday, March 7, 2026, and 3:30 pm on Sunday, March 8, 2026. Fish that are tagged must be weighed the day they are tagged to be eligible for prizes. Weigh-in times will be strictly enforced. NOTE: We will be following the clock in the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre above the Weigh-in Station.  The Wawa Ice Fishing Derby Executives will have the final decision if the fish is eligible for a prize.

There will be 10 prizes awarded Pike, 10 prizes for Lake Trout and 10 prizes for Whitefish. A participant can only win 1 major fishing prize. If there is more than one fish of the same weight eligible for a major prize, then the date and time that the earlier fish was tagged in at the Check-In Station will determine the winner.  Fishing prizes will be awarded beginning at 4pm, Sunday, March 8, 2026. You must be in attendance to claim prizes. If you are unable to be there, then a letter of proxy must be signed for another person to claim your prize. All prizes are to be picked up and removed immediately. If you are not in attendance the prize will be awarded to the next biggest fish registered.

Each participant, upon registration to compete in the Derby, agrees to indemnify and save harmless the Wawa Ice Fishing Derby, their agents, employees, co-sponsors and event volunteers from any liability, expenses, claims or demands that may arise from participating. Tickets are not transferrable, and NO REFUNDS will be provided unless the Derby is cancelled.

By entering the Derby and signing a registration form, either electronically or in writing, all participants declare an understanding of all Derby rules, agree to abide by them, and agree to permit the Wawa Ice Fishing Derby to use photographs of them in publicity releases.

All rules are subject to the interpretation of the Wawa Ice Fishing Derby Board of Directors. WE HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND IN WAWA AND ASK THAT YOU JOIN WITH US AND GIVE YOUR UTMOST RESPECT FOR THE RESOURCES WE ARE USING THIS WEEKEND