Annual Sebago Lake Togue & Pike Derby nearing

By Ed Pierce

For many fishermen, competing in the Annual Sebago Lake Togue & Pike Derby is the perfect way to wrap up a summer of fishing on Sebago Lake and also help out a good cause as well. This year is no exception as the 11th Annual Sebago Lake Togue & Pike Derby will be conducted out of Port Sebago Resort’s Main Marina area in Casco on Saturday, Sept. 12 and Sunday Sept. 13, on the weekend following Labor Day.

Last year's First Prize winner winner of the
Sebago Lake Togue & Pike Derby with a
9.15-pound 29-inch lake trout was John 
Sailhamert, center, shown with members of
the Sebago lake Anglers Association. This
year's derby will be held on Saturday,
Sept. 12 and Sunday, Sept. 13 on
Sebago Lake. SUBMITTED PHOTO     

Fishing activity begins at 6 a.m. on both days with the official weigh-in station at the marina area closing at 4 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. An awards ceremony will be held shortly thereafter on Sunday, Sept. 13.

Hosted every year by the Sebago Lake Anglers Association, event organizers say that this is a community-based fishing derby focused on families and children but experienced fishermen and guides with clients are welcome to participate.

Cash prizes will be paid to the top three places by weight in the event, as well as a prize for the biggest fish caught on Saturday, three prizes for any Togue submitted in the Togue lottery, and one prize for the smallest Togue, caught by hook and line.

All Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife rules for Sebago Lake fishing apply. Only fish caught during the derby’s legal fishing hours will count toward prizes.

Participants do not have to fish both days, and they do not have to be present to win a prize if a fish is legally entered and checked in by staff within the established time limits for the derby. Prizes for those who will not be present during the awards ceremony may be picked up at Port Sebago Resort’s Main Marina during business hours for 30 days after conclusion of the derby.

Fish that derby participants don’t want to take home may be donated for an area church’s fish fry, or to a local food pantry. Receptacles will be available to do that, and a fish-cleaning station will also be provided.

Anglers are reminded that there is no minimum length for togue and no bag limit on togue less than 26 inches. Anglers can possess one togue measuring 26 inches and above. Participants do not need to fish on both days of the derby to qualify for prizes.

Anyone interested in registering for the 11th Annual Sebago Lake Togue & Pike Derby can do so by picking up a registration card at the following locations: Hilltop Mini Mart on Route 302 in Raymond; Jordan’s Store on Route 114 Sebago; or Dag’s Bait and Tackle on Minot Road in Auburn. Online registration is available in advance at https://tickets.simplederby.com/sebagolaketoguepikederby/tc-events/tickets/

Same-day registration is possible starting at 5 a.m. at Point Sebago Resort by the gas dock. You must have your derby ticket for the official derby weigh-in station.

The cost to participate is $35 for adults and $15 for kids under the age of 16. All anglers on board a boat participating in the derby must be registered to claim a prize. The Weigh-in Station will be located at Point Sebago Resort Dock in Casco.

Proceeds from the Annual Sebago Lake Togue & Pike Derby are used to pay out the prize money and buy Youth Lifetime Fishing Licenses for Maine children.

To learn more about the 11th Annual Sebago Lake Togue & Pike Derby, visit the Sebago Lake Anglers Association’s Facebook page. <