HARRISON – The annual youth and family ice fishing derby will be held Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Long Lake boat launch.

The event is sponsored by Western Maine Fish & Game in partnership with Harrison Parks and Recreation and Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s program Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs.

The event will be held on the 11-mile lake from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The announcement of the derby and raffle winners will take place at 4 p.m. at the Town Office. Winners don’t have to be present.

Derby registration is at the at Town Office until Friday Feb. 22 and the day of the derby at the boat launch. Registration is $2 for those up to age 15; $5 for ages 16 and older.

Western Maine Fish & Game is donating two lifetime youth fishing licenses to a child ages 5 or younger who catches the smallest legal fish based on weight with the discriminator being length. Joe Jack, owner of Lake Region Outfitters and a registered Maine Guide, donated a license to a youth ages 6 to 15 years who catches the largest fish with the discriminator being largest of most different species caught.

The derby is sanctioned by the DIF&W so adults who are not actively fishing can assist their children without a Maine fishing license but are required to register with the derby and to fish in the sanctioned area.

The first 100 children up to age 15 registered will receive a Tip Up. Each category winner will receive a prize and a chance to win a Youth Lifetime Fishing License. All participants have the option to have an ice fishing demonstration and instructions. Registered Maine Guides and volunteers from the community will have predrilled holes in the sanctioned area.

Live Bait will be available. Hot chocolate and roasting S’mores over an outdoor fire will be available, along with hamburgers and hot dogs off the grill.

Raffles will be available for $1 per ticket. Items such a cord of wood, propane, gift certificates and much more. Ice shack raffle tickets are $2 each or $5 for three tickets  and $10 for seven tickets. Winners can take the shack or $500 cash.

For details of rules go to www.harrisonmaine.org and click on recreation and follow link to derby or visit Town of Harrison Parks and Recreation on Facebook.

For more information call Paula at 583-2241 or email at pholt@harrisonmaine.org or Joe Jack at 730-1288.