The NICC board of directors struggled with the decision to move forward with the 61st Annual Ice Fishing Derby. Our main concern was the safety of the fisherman and NICC members running the event. After two board meetings and many days of contemplation, the board voted unanimously to move forward with the 2021 Derby with changes to how we operate. This decision was made in September following the CDC guidelines with the caveat that we would cancel if needed, as we follow the developments of COVID-19.

To conduct the Derby in a safe manor, we will not be having bucket raffles or the live auction. There will be no gathering of people during the Derby. The fisherman will only come to shore to register and enter their fish. The two fish judges will be in a 12 x 12 tent with only one fisherman allowed in the tent at a time to enter their fish. There will be another 12 x 12 tent set up next to the fish judges and will be manned by one or two NICC members at a time who are there to answer any questions that the fisherman or public may have. Again, only one person will be allowed in the tent at a time.

In place of selling raffle tickets, bucket raffles and live auction, we will be holding a Lottery Raffle for the month of February! We will be selling 1,000 tickets for $10 each. The tickets will be numbered from 000 to 999. Each night The Illinois State Lottery has a Pick 3. If you are holding the ticket with the numbers that are called that night, you will win $50 plus and a possible item that has been donated by our generous sponsors. On Saturday night of the Derby, February 13th the lucky winner will win $250. On Sunday night of the Derby, February 14th the lucky winner will receive $500.

Our goals are not lofty this year. Our goal is to; provide the community with an activity where they can enjoy the outdoors in a safe manor, spend time with their family, and blow off some of their COVID hibernation steam. And finally, for us to bring in enough money to operate and maintain this organization for 1 year.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to NICC.

Help us make this year’s Derby a success!