Probe Research - Participant Survey
We were excited to announce that one of the valued sponsors of the 2026 Lac du Bonnet Ice Fishing Derby, Probe Research, generously offered to create a participant survey following the event as part of their sponsorship. This survey will help us gather valuable feedback, ensuring that we can continue to improve and enhance the experience for all involved.
About Probe Research:
Probe Research is a well-established market research firm based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. With decades of experience, they specialized in conducting surveys, analyzing data, and providing insights that helped businesses, organizations, and communities make informed decisions. Their team of experts used advanced methodologies and innovative techniques to gather feedback, ensuring high-quality results.
As part of their sponsorship, Probe Research aimed to help the Lac du Bonnet Ice Fishing Derby enhance its future editions by gaining deeper insights into the experiences of participants. By completing the survey after the event, participants had the opportunity to share their thoughts, suggestions, and any areas for improvement. Their feedback was invaluable in shaping future derbies and helping us continue to provide a top-notch experience.
We thanked Probe Research for their support and appreciated all participants who took the time to complete the survey.
Research Objectives
Probe Research conducted a survey of those who attended the 2026 Lac du Bonnet Ice Fishing Derby (LdB Ice) on February 28, 2026, to measure their satisfaction with this event.
Survey Key Findings:
Key Findings
Attendees were generally pretty happy with the 2026 LdB Ice Fishing Derby and likely to return again –but their enthusiasm for the event was a bit muted this year.
Those who took part in the derby continue to be happy with most of the elements of the event, particularly how it provides support to the community, the friendliness and helpfulness of event staff and how well organized it is. Satisfaction with the quality of prizes remains strong, but slightly fewer expressed a high degree of satisfaction with the number of prizes offered. Satisfaction with the number of portable toilets is very high among participants, but somewhat lower when it comes to the number of food vendors.
About six in 10 participants indicate they are very likely to return for next year’s derby –down from nearly three-quarters last year. The likelihood of recommending the derby also remains quite high, with about six in 10 noting they are highly likely to do this. A slightly higher proportion than last year (19%) would not recommend the derby to others.
Awareness of the event remains rooted in both past experiences and word of mouth recommendations. About one-half of those who completed the survey are past attendees, with four in 10 noting that this was their first derby. About one-third of participants heard about the derby via word of mouth, with Facebook and posters continuing to be secondary ways that participants became aware of this event.
A high proportion of participants –eight in 10 –indicate they were aware that the Adult 2ndHole prize offered this year was a boat and trailer.
