The Kirkland Lake Festivals Committee will host the 2012 Winter Carnival Fish Derby on Saturday, February 25, 2012 at Otto Lake (Culver Park) from 8am-2pm. Over $50,000 in prizes are up for grabs including $25,000 for catching a specially tagged fish.

There will also be ...a $5,000 prize for the biggest pickerel/walleye and an additional $5,000 for the biggest pike. All ticket-holders will be entered into an elimination draw for $5,000 cash starting at 6 pm at Northern College following the derby.

Following the elimination draw in the gym at Northern College, Kim Mitchell will perform live. Each regular fish derby ticket-holder receives a free pub ticket with the purchase of their fish derby ticket. In addition, they will be given the option to purchase an additional pub ticket at the time they are purchasing their derby ticket. Age of majority is required for admission to the elimination draw and pub.

There will be a free kids fish derby for participants under the age of 19 years with cash prizes and trophies. Each ticket-holder is permitted to bring one participant to the kids derby. No preregistration for kids derby is required. Simply register your kids derby participant when you register the morning of the derby.

Tickets are $100 and are go on sale at reception at the complex beginning December 1st. Participants must be 19 years of age and older to be eligible for the regular derby including the specially tagged $25,000 fish, the $5,000 biggest pike award, the $5,000 biggest pickerel-walleye and the $5,000 elimination draw.

KL Festivals Committee members and volunteers will be on hand at the derby to drill holes in the main area of the lake. If participants wish to fish in a different area, they will be required to drill their own hole(s) for the fish derby.

Fishing shelters/huts are permitted on the lake during the derby. Organizers request that huts/shelters be brought onto the lake the day before the derby to avoid additional congestion the morning of the derby.

When you arrive at the derby, please report to the Festival Committee's registration area for a quick check-in and registration. All coolers, bags, huts & shelters will be subject to inspection before & during the derby.

Please be advised that the Ontario Provincial Police are expected to have a R.I.D.E. program the day of the derby. Please make plans not to drink and drive.