Ice fishing derbies are a mixed bag this weekend due to conditions

At least four ice fishing derbies are canceled for this weekend due to lake and pond conditions that make them unsafe.

Some organizations are still monitoring their respective water bodies and could make last-minute announcements about changes to their plans.

This has been such a difficult winter for outdoor recreational activities that rely on solid ice and inches of snow.

Several trails are closed in areas that normally present prime snowmobiling, such as in Fort Kent, Portage and Ashland. Others haven’t officially announced closures but no longer groom their trails, such as the Blue Ridge Riders in Rockwood. A good snowstorm could change all of that.

Favorite ice fishing ponds and lakes have uncharacteristic open water and the ice changes daily, thanks to warmer-than-average temperatures. There are still a lot of safe places to fish though, just use caution.

Here is the rundown of this week’s ice fishing derbies.

Gateway Title probably has the most unique approach to solving its ice fishing derby problem. The fourth annual event scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, March 2 and 3, on Cold Stream Pond in Enfield will be postponed and become an open water derby. Gateway will announce details of the open water event later .

The North Pond Leap Year Ice Fishing Derby slated for Sunday, March 3, in Smithfield is still a go, but organizers plan to keep checking the ice to make sure all is well. If the derby is canceled, last-minute information will be posted on the North Pond Leap Year Ice Fishing Derby Facebook page and on northpondmaine.org/derby .

Organizers canceled the Cobbossee Ice Fishing Derby due to ice safety concerns, especially at access points along the edges of the lake. The derby was supposed to be held Saturday, March 2, on Cobbossee Lake, to benefit Cony High School Project Graduation. The committee still wants Project Graduation to do well, so its Plan B is to gather at 11 a.m. at the YMCA Camp of Maine where it will hold raffles and distribute the more than 50 prizes, including the cash meant for the winners of the biggest fish contests.

The Tremont School Ice Fishing Derby organizers have altered their plans too. There will be no ice fishing due to unsafe conditions, but there will be a community supper, raffle and other fund-raising activities from 4 to 6:15 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at Tremont Consolidated School, to benefit the eighth grade. There are more than 50 items that will be raffled.

The eighth annual Little Tim’s Ice Fishing Derby will be held from 5:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2, on Worthley Pond in Peru. A check of the ice on Thursday found 15 ½ inches. Registration is $10 for 18 years old and older and $7 for 17 and under. Noon Friday is the deadline for pre-registration and raffle tickets through PayPal. The derby benefits Camp Postcard, Volunteers of America, and weigh-in will be at the Farm at Worthley Pond, wedding and event venue.

The 43rd annual Moosehead Lake Ice Fishing Derby in memory of Maggie “The Bait Lady” will be held from Saturday, March 2, to Saturday, March 9, on Moosehead Lake. Weigh-in will be at Moosehead Bait & Tackle in Rockwood, where the scale closes at 4 p.m. sharp on March 9. Blue Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club is the organizer. Tickets are $10. A dinner and raffle will be held at 5 p.m. March 9, at Rockwood Community Center. $10 adults; $5 children under 12. The derby gives $500 to plow the Kineo docks in Rockwood, $500 to LifeFlight of Maine and two $1,000 scholarships to students in the Moosehead region.

The Greenville Firefighters Association’s third annual Moosehead Lake Ice Fishing Derby will be held Friday-Sunday, March 1-3, on Moosehead Lake. Registration and weigh-in will be at Greenville Fire Department, 10 Minden St. Tickets are $15 each and $30 for a family. Winners will be announced on the association’s Facebook Page after 2 p.m. Sunday. Derby hours are from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday; and 6 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday. Proceeds benefit the Greenville Fire Department.

The Plymouth Cares fifth annual Plymouth Pond Benefit Ice Fishing Derby slated for Saturday, March 2, is canceled due to unsafe conditions on the pond. But the vendor fair associated with it will still be held from 1 to 6 p.m. Friday, March 1, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at Plymouth Grange Hall, 1927 Moosehead Trail. Adults $5, kids age 5 and under, $3. Proceeds benefit the community, such as gas cards for cancer patients, fuel and electric aid, meals for families in need and help to veterans.

The Jeff Bradbury Memorial Ice Fishing Derby scheduled for Saturday, March 2, in Jefferson was canceled because not enough tickets were sold. Those who still want to give for the scholarship fund may send checks made out to Maine Community Foundation with Jeff Bradbury Scholarship Fund in the memo line to the foundation at 245 Main St., Ellsworth, Maine 04605.

The Everett Hall Memorial Fishing Derby will be held Saturday, March 2, and Sunday, March 3, on Davis and Shin ponds. Pre-registration and day-of registration at 7:30 a.m. are at Shin Pond Village. Adults $25; kids 12 and younger $10. Fish needed to be weighed by 4 p.m. Saturday and by 3:30 p.m. Sunday. The money raised in the derby will support the local ATV and snowmobile clubs.

Belfast Variety Route Fifty Two and Colby Benjamin Motorsports are holding an ice fishing derby Saturday and Sunday, March 2 and 3, as a breast cancer fundraiser. Fish must be caught in legal lakes and ponds in Waldo County and weighed in between 8 a.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday at Belfast Variety. It’s $5 per entry. Bait purchased at the store will count as an entry fee.