Derby on - Rotary Club says ice fishing derby will be held on schedule

MEREDITH — Members of the Meredith Rotary Club's Derby Committee remain confident that this year's Great Rotary Fishing Derby, scheduled for Feb. 13-14, will go as scheduled despite the current lack of ice cover on Lake Winnipesaukee, which has forced the New England Pond Hockey Classic to move its Feb. 5-7 event to Lake Waukewan.

"There is no plan to postpone the Derby. The Derby Committee meets weekly at this time of year because we are at the mercy of Mother Nature. The Derby has only been postponed once, in 2006, and it has never been canceled,'' said Donna Ulbricht, executive secretary of the club.

"Because we are headquartered on Meredith Bay, people think Lake Winnipesaukee is the only lake they can fish, but that is not correct. This is a statewide event, and fish can be entered from any public body of water," Ulbricht said.

She said committee members expect conditions to improve and ice to form faster once the strong winds the Lakes Region has experienced recently drop down.

"The runoff from Waukewan into Winnipesaukee has been slowed down," she said. "Waukewan is looking great. Lake Wicwas has bob houses on the ice, Lake Kanasatka, Ossipee, are looking good and Webster Lake is pretty solid. Alton Bay and Blackey's Cove look good. Alton has a bob house. Many coves on Squam Lake are also in good shape."

Ulbricht notes that with three weeks to go it appears that many coves and bays on Lake Winnipesaukee will be ready. "Center Harbor is quite protected and is in good shape. Both 19-Mile and 20-Mile Bay are expected to be in good shape for the Derby."

She maintains the club's Facebook page, which is updated many times a day, and said those seeking current information on ice conditions can find it there.