The cash prize for the largest togue will once again be $1,500. Several door prizes will be given to lucky ticket holders (no fish required).

The grand door prize is donated by Coleman and Indian Hill Trading Post and includes a variety of camping and fishing items valued at over $900: two insulated jackets; camp coffee maker, queen size quickbed, two sleeping bags, latern and case, a heater, dinnerware, non-stick griddle, 3-burner stove, 8-person family dome tent, 36-quart radio cooler, wader vest, and canvas hip boots.

There is no bag or size limit on togue under 18-inches and a bag limit of two togue over 18-inches from Moosehead Lake. Every fish, regardless of size qualifies, the entrant to win multiple prizes in the fish pool. All participants must have a current Maine Fishing License to participate in the derby.

The derby will take place Friday, January 30th through Sunday, February 1st on Moosehead Lake.

Tickets are $20 per individual or $40 per family (couples plus any children age 16 and younger) and are available at numerous sporting goods stores or the Chamber's Visitor's Center on Indian Hill.

Last year's Derby was held over two days and in that time over 2,000 togue were checked at the weigh stations. This year's Derby is scheduled for three days and Ricky Craven will be adding a surprise event. The success of last year's Derby allowed the Chamber to donate $5,000 of the proceeds to the Natural Resource Education Center to hire summer interns to assist Maine's Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and $2,000 was donated to the James F. Alenson Memorial Fund on behalf of Ricky Craven.

For additional information contact the Moosehead Lake Region Chamber of Commerce at 695-2702 or e-mail bob@moose headlake.org.