Moosehead Lake Region fishing report — Togue Derby wrap-up

GREENVILLE –The 13th annual Moosehead Lake Togue Derby with Ricky Craven was held this past weekend on Maine’s largest lake. We had great conditions on Friday, Jan. 24 with hardly a lick of wind. You don’t get many days like that on Moosehead.

We set another record for ticket sales this year with 870 anglers getting into the game. Nick Ramsdell got on the board Friday with a nice 9.8-pound fish that in most years would earn some prize money. But by Saturday evening the leader board was full of fish over 10 pounds.

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DERBY WINNER — James Grover of Newcastle caught a lunker weighing in at just under 16.5 pounds to earn top honors at the Moosehead Lake Togue Derby.

There was a flurry of activity at the close of the day, and James Grover from Newcastle caught a lunker weighing in at just a touch under 16.5 pounds. Just like last year’s winner, this fish was caught jigging. It must have been quite a fight.

About a half hour later the weigh stations were bustling with activity with some quality togue. The second- and third-place fish came in, along with a number of nice togue in the 7- to 8-pound range. Long-time togue angler, Roddy McLellan of Merrill took home second  place with a colorful 13.8-pound fish. Third place went to Ethan Santos from Dexter with a nice 11.4-pound togue. This is the second year in a row with all three winning fish exceeding the 10-pound mark! 

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SECOND PLACE CATCH — Roddy McLellan of Merrill took home second place with a colorful 13.8-pound fish during the 13th annual Moosehead Lake Togue Derby.

There was a terrific turnout for the spaghetti dinner on Saturday night where all the door prizes were drawn. Chad Frazier from Deer Isle left town with a check for $1,500 as the first door prize winner. Sophie Martin won the lifetime fishing license donated by the Moosehead Lake Fisheries Coalition. There were lots of prizes and even a few prizes just for those that came to the dinner. You can check out all the winners on the Natural Resource Educations Center’s website at NRECmoosehead.org. 

Thanks to all the anglers and donors for participating. This derby started as a strategy to help thin the togue population and it has been successful beyond our expectations. The quality of the togue, salmon, and brook trout fishing is directly related to the derby and that strategy. The derby has also blossomed into a fun community event, bringing anglers and their families to our beautiful lake. I enjoy working the weigh station and hearing all the great stories.