HOW THE DERBY WORKS

Absolutely! We’ll get you set up and show you how it’s done!

To be eligible for any prize/award or have a chance at making it onto the leaderboard, you need to be registered. We need the full name of each angler on the roster sheet. We recommend each person registers no matter their age, and everyone has their own rod and hole – its more fun that way.

• Waterproof warm boots! Please remember to dress for the weather – maybe even bring spare mitts.
• You can plan to sit on the docs, but lawn chairs may be more comfy and adjustable.
• A thermos or your own mug for hot drink refills (helps reduce waste of paper cups)
• Outdoor friendly snacks. The Galley is a restaurant and for health code reasons no outside food or drinks will be allowed inside.
• Bring your own ice fishing gear (rod, lure, bait etc) if you got it.  If not, we will be lending out the gear as needed when you arrive in the ice.
• Bring CASH for 50/50 draw, Raffle(s), and bait station donations!
• Bringing your own bait is a good recommended strategy, but not necessary. We will only hand out one minnow or a couple worms at a time. Coming back to the bait station if you lose or need a replacement of bait can get annoying, or your bait can last all day.  It depends on the kind of action you get, and how well it was hooked on your hook.  See our Facebook event page for tips.

• Yes.  Please do use your own gear if you have it.  This will help us extend the usage of our gear to others who do not own their own.

There is free parking available on-site at the Nepean Sailing Club.
Note that vehicles are not welcome on the ice. Everything is walking distance and we will have paths on docks for increased accessibility.

Yes, there may be some walking involved, but try OC Transpo route 58 from Bayshore Station (verify with OC Transpo Travel Planner)

Yes. There is a special pancake breakfast (10am to 1pm) and the restaurant opens at 12pm for regular fare. Tournament special: Get the members discount on any  food and drink – 15% off . And there is a $9 derby special for a pound of wings after 12pm!

Not really recommended, please avoid staying indoors – get outside and jig, jig, jig. Of course, you can go in and out as you please to warm up as needed. All lines need to be out of the water if not monitored within 20 yards.

We are planning to have a kids craft table in the Nepean Sailing Club (Likely to be set up in the restaurant upstairs, or on the first floor). Note that this is not an area to drop off kids and leave. This zone may have a volunteer to facilitate, but they (we) are not responsible for your children.

9:00am.  We will start our on site registrations at 8:30am.  Some people choose to come for short fish, while most people stay all day.

Yes, as long as the only people in the hut are registered participants in the event.

I love fishing with my dog. If you do bring your four legged fishing buddy, please have them tied up. We have had close calls with tangles and other mishaps when dogs are loose. There will also be a section of the ice cut open – the size of a small vehicle – for the Boreal River Rescue demos. So, let’s just keep them tied up please.

We ask that you do not bring any vehicle on the ice.  This is a tight area with docks that may not be visible under the snow. Parking is very close by. However if you require an ATV for accessibility purposes, we will not stop you, but request that usage is not for pleasure riding in the boundary zone.  You will need to ensure you follow all applicable laws (helmets, registrations, etc).

If you always caught fish, they would not have called it fishing, it would have been called “catching”. Ideally, we all get some action 🙂
Fun Fact: Our 14-year-old champ from 2016 made it to the first page of the Ottawa West Metro Newspaper with his 24″ pike. Our champ in 2019 had a 28″ pike and over 50 fish were measured and registered on the leader board. In 2023 our champion Pike was 31″ long! in 2024 it was 32″. In 2025, two winners split the pot with a 34.5 inch pike! There are bigger ones here, and I have the proof 🙂

Tip-ups are a common ice fishing – simple rod.  This wooden teeter-totter type of system can be left alone on the stand and will “tip-up” (or down) if a fish bites on the line.  Or you can also hold and “jig” the line. Highly recommended if not using live bait.

The water is about 7-9 feet deep (with the ice typically being over 15 inches thick). This water depth is great for many types of species – most common catches are Pike, Perch, and Crappie.  There are Walleye (pickerel) as well, but less common.

No

Yes. The restaurant has an elevator and this year you can fish from the docks, or use the ramp to get on the ice. Depending on snowfall, the ice surface is not guaranteed to be accessible by wheelchair, however, we have a great team who will make all efforts to ensure it is accessible as possible.

Yes! Contact us and we can find a package that works for you and your goals! Let’s talk SOON! Contact Us

If the event does not happen (possibly due to severe weather or other uncontrollable factors) ticket sales will be refunded if requested. Since the event does take on expenses regardless (insurance, registration page fees, etc), we appreciate any support.  Side Note: Door prizes will still be awarded to registrants if you choose not to come, we will contact you if you are a winner.

Not necessary.

No. As long as the waiver was signed and your names are in our system (registered online) or made special arrangements with the organisers.

For Door Prizes and Raffles you do not need to be present and we will contact you to pick up your prize (we will not deliver).  If there is a 50/50, you do not need to be present to win as long as you put your name and contact info on the ticket.

• Online registrations will close February 13th (2 days before the event).
  If you need our equipment, please note that we have a limit of 350 rigged tip ups, register early if you need equipment. If you have your own equipment, please use it.
• We will close registrations once we reach 800 participants
• Walk-ins will be welcome if we do not reach 800 registration, but we will only sell individual registration options at the door (no discounted family kits).