NORWAY – The Norway-Paris Fish & Game Association will hold its annual Ice Fishing Derby from “sunrise to sunset” Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 28 and 29, at Norway Lake, Route 118.

The event, held yearly since 1971, is one of the major fund-raisers for the local organization that promotes the preservation of hunting and fishing activities in the Oxford Hills area. It is an outdoor winter activity that is customarily enjoyed by the whole family. All ages are welcome to participate.

Fish & Game volunteers will be located at the Red Schoolhouse near the beach. Tickets, refreshments and food hot off the grill will be on sale at the schoolhouse. Tickets must be purchased before fish can be weighed.

All lakes and ponds in Maine are acceptable fishing spots, but contestants must get their fish to the Red Schoolhouse for weigh-in the same day that they catch it. Tickets can be purchased at most Norway and South Paris sporting goods shops, from club members or on the day of the Derby at the Red Schoolhouse. Six categories of fish will generate a $50 first prize for the largest fish. Brook trout or splake, salmon, brown trout, pickerel, lake trout or togue, and bass will be represented.

It is possible for a crafty angler to win the largest fish in multiple categories. There will also be a consolation prize for the largest fish caught in any species, including species not associated with one of the cash categories.

The derby will continue to allow children under 12 to win trophies in the junior division for the largest fish. No ticket purchase is necessary to win a trophy. Any fish submitted by a junior will bring a small prize.

A person does not need to fish to support the club or to win one of several consolation prizes. The purchase of a $1 ticket is all that’s needed.

Consolation prizes include two tickets to a July race at New Hampshire International Speedway, two tickets to the Banknorth Oxford 250 on July 18 at Oxford Plains Speedway, an L.L.Bean fly rod outfit and one dozen streamer flies.