Sebago Lake anglers gearing up for 7th Annual Togue Derby

The Sebago Lake Anglers’ Association, a local fishing club, is getting ready to host its 7th Annual Togue Fishing Derby on Sebago Lake, on Saturday Sept. 10 and Sunday Sept. 11, the weekend after Labor Day.

The derby is the club's primary fundraiser of the year and the majority of funds raised are used to pay for derby prizes and to buy youth lifetime fishing licenses through the State of Maine program. The club is the largest purveyor of youth licenses in the state.

The license allows children, selected in a post-derby lottery, to fish anywhere in Maine for free for the rest of their lives regardless of age, nationality, sex, marital status or location of residency. Children are nominated to win a license through a current club member or through a sponsor who has donated to the cause.

This year's fishing derby will commence at 6 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 10 and includes all of Sebago Lake. Fishing on that day will terminate at 3 p.m. and the weigh station will close at 4 p.m. that Saturday. The largest fish caught on Saturday will also qualify for a prize.

Sunday’s fishing also starts at 6 a.m. and cuts off at 2 p.m. Fish must be submitted to the weigh station by 3 p.m. All derby operations will be conducted out of Sebago Lake State Park Main Boat Ramp Area. Participants do not need to launch your boat there but that is where all fish need to be checked in.

There will be awards to the Top 10 fish by weight. Additionally, all togue legally caught can be submitted to participate in the Togue Pool Lottery. Fishermen will be given a ticket for each fish submitted and three drawings will be held for a $100 prize each.

There is even an award for the smallest Togue caught on hook and line. All Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife rules must be followed. All fishermen aboard a boat must be registered before the start of fishing.

Registration fees are $35 for adults and $15 for kids 12 and under.

Fishermen seeking registration forms can pick them up at Naples Bait and Tackle, Route 35 in Naples, Dag’s Bait on Minot Street in Auburn, Hilltop Mini Mart on Route 302 in Raymond, and Jordan’s Store, Route 114 in Sebago or by calling 207-655-1028.

Sebago Lake Anglers’ Association President Bob Chapin says the club has kept the monetary awards modest ($500 First Place) but award lots of prizes (15) on purpose because this is essentially a local community derby.

If you win one of the Top 10 prizes, you are disqualified from winning any of the other Top 10 awards. While there may be several guides and professional fishermen competing, it is really for the first time or casual fisherman to get the experience of a derby, Chapin said.

In addition to providing the fishing experience, this derby supports state management goals for Sebago Lake by removing excess togue from Sebago Lake allowing other fish, like salmon, to compete for a diminishing forage fish base.

Fish turned in by fishermen not wanting to keep them for eating will be iced down and given to other fishermen wanting them, local food pantries, and fish processing companies so that none go to waste.

Late to register? Bring registration form or just come to the late registration booth that will be set up outside the State Park Entrance gate starting at 5 a.m. and ending 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept., 10. Sunday Sept. 11 registration can be done by coming to the weigh-in station at the State Park Boat Launch.

Any questions regarding the derby can be directed to Bob Chapin at 207-655-1028 or by sending an email to chapin780@aol.com <