18TH ANNUAL

LAC DU BONNET ICE FISHING DERBY

RESULTS

18th Annual Lac du Bonnet Ice Fishing Derby

WINNERS & EVENT SUMMARY

What an unforgettable day on the ice! The 18th Annual Lac du Bonnet Ice Fishing Derby was a tremendous success, bringing together anglers, families, and spectators from across Manitoba and beyond. Despite the unseasonably cold temperatures, 1,241 anglers bundled up, hit the ice, fished 1,637 holes and made the most of a beautiful winter day — and the bright sunshine was an added bonus that made the whole experience even more memorable.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to our incredible sponsors, volunteers, and community partners. With 208 dedicated volunteers and the support of our generous sponsors, we were able to deliver a safe, exciting, and rewarding event that continues to give back to our community in a meaningful way.

🏆 TOP 5 CASH WINNERS

🥇 1st Place – $15,000
Sean Schiefelbein – Perch – 24 cm @ 11:35 am

🥈 2nd Place – $5,000
David Wilson – Pike – 37 cm @ 11:47 am

🥉 3rd Place – $3,000
Dayton Mercier – Pike – 46 cm @ 12:37 pm

🏅 4th Place – $2,000
Ian Crossley – Pike – 61 cm @ 1:19 pm

🏅 5th Place – $1,000
Will Sagel – Pike – 56 cm @ 1:17 pm

🎁 NEW FOR 2026 – RANDOM FISH CAUGHT PRIZES

6th – Roger Polydore – Sauger – 29 cm
🎁 SnoBear Ice Fishing Trip for 3 – Cooks Outfitting & Guide Services

7th – Tracy Rusk – Walleye – 28 cm
🎁 Open Water Fishing Trip for 3 + Quantum Advocate Rod & Reel

8th – Andy Trethart – Walleye – 33 cm
🎁 Eskimo Sting Ray Auger + North Mountain Adventures 3 Night Stay & Hoodie

9th – Domingo Bayaua – Sauger – 30 cm
🎁 55" Phillips Smart Roku TV + Outdoor Firepit (Osis TIM-BR Mart)

10th – Justin Desautels – Walleye – 33 cm
🎁 40" Phillips Smart Roku TV + Humminbird ICE-35 + Loko Shack Rentals Certificate

🌟 FEATURE PRIZE WINNERS

🚤 Adult 2nd Hole Grand Prize (Rond’s Marine)
Princecraft Yukon 14L Boat + Trailer ($10,460)
Winner: Greg Brennan – Balmoral, MB

🐟 Longest Fish (Eagle Nest Lodge – 2 Night Stay for 2)
Winner: Ian Crossley – Pike – 61 cm

⏱ Last Fish Caught (Lake Life Powersports – $1,000 GC)
Winner: Scott Barr – Sauger @ 2:09 pm

🎣 Skunked Prize (Watertown – $500 GC + Falcon Lake Fish Off Entry)
Winner: Jesse Bercier

🎟 Early Bird Prize (Eskimo Tent + Auger)
Winner: Andrew Friesen

💵 $3,000 Cash Raffle
Winner: Jack McLaughlin – Winnipeg (Ticket #0142)

🎴 Used Auger Raffle Winners
D. Rusk – Argyle, MB (Red Card: 10 of Clubs)
D. Miller – La Broquerie, MB (Blue Card: King of Spades)

📊 DERBY DAY BY THE NUMBERS

• 🎣 Total Anglers: 1,241

• 👨‍👩‍👧 Total Participants: 1,280

• 🧊 Holes Fished: 1,637

• 🔩 Total Holes Drilled: 2,228 (in just 1 hour!)

• 🐟 Total Fish Caught: 64

• 📏 Average Fish Length: 33.5 cm

• 🥇 Longest Fish: 61 cm

• 🐟 First Fish: 11:30 am

• 🕑 Last Fish: 2:09 pm

From the organizing committee, thank you to every angler, volunteer, sponsor, and supporter who helped make the 18th Annual Derby such a success. Events like this are only possible because of the passion and generosity of this community.

We’re already looking ahead to next year and can’t wait to welcome even more of you back to the ice!

See you in 2027! SAVE THE DATE: FEBRUARY 27, 2027