2025 Fishing Derby Rules

  1. All anglers must comply with the law set forth by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. Ice fishing rules can be viewed on the New Hampshire Fish & Game website: www.wildlife.state.nh.us/ fishing/ice-fishing
  2. All fish must be legally and freshly caught from any fresh New Hampshire public waters (RSA: 271:20) by the registered Derby ticket holder. Fish must be taken through the ice on Saturday or Sunday of Derby Weekend. All fishermen must ensure that fish being entered in the Derby are dead prior to entering the weigh-in line. Live fish in possession will result in immediate Derby disqualification.
  3. A valid Derby ticket and a valid New Hampshire Fishing License will be required, either paper or electronic will be required for identification when entering fish and claiming a prize. Minors under 16 years of age do not need a valid fishing license for ice fishing, but do need a valid Derby ticket when entering fish or claiming prizes.
  4. The parents or guardians of any individual under 16 years of age who is awarded any prize is responsible for processing and submitting all necessary documents to the Internal Revenue Service, as required.
  5. Weight at the time of entry determines winners. In case of a tie, length shall be the determinate factor. Earliest entry will be the final tie breaker.
  6. The following fish are Unacceptable:
    • No Rainbow Trout under 17 inches in length will be accepted
    • No Lake Trout under 22 inches in length will be accepted
    • No Cusk under 22 inches in length will be accepted
    • No Pickerel under 22 inches in length will be accepted
    • No White Perch under 14 inches in length will be accepted
    • No Yellow Perch under 12 inches in length will be accepted
    • No Black Crappie under 13 inches in length will be accepted
    • No Bass, Brown Trout or Salmon will be accepted
  7. Entered fish become the property of the Derby. All registered fish that are eligible for prizes will be retained until 3:30 p.m. on Sunday of Derby Weekend and then donated to the Squam Lakes Science Center to feed their otters, raptors, bears and other animals. However, anglers may request the return of their fish after the award presentations are finished. Any angler that would like to reclaim their fish must pick it up between 3:30 and 4:00 on Sunday of derby weekend.
  8. NEW – Effective 2025: Anglers are only allowed to enter a maximum of two fish per species per day.
  9. Fish may be registered between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. Anglers who catch an eligible fish on Saturday that cannot be registered before the end of the day may register said fish on Sunday. No fish may be registered for Sunday’s prize board on Saturday. Times will be recorded on the Official Derby Time Clock at Derby Headquarters. In order to register a fish, all participants must be at the outside weigh-in station no later than the above closing times each day and be acknowledged by a Judge;
  10. Fish to be entered must be free of all debris such as snow and ice, fishing lines, hooks or weights. Any visible bait including bait fish, worms, salmon eggs, etc., found in the mouths of any fish must be removed by the angler. All debris and bait must be removed to the satisfaction of the derby judges and officials prior to entry. Meredith Rotary reserves the right to open or X-ray any fish.
  11. All Anglers entering fish eligible for prizes of $500 or more will be required to sign an affidavit under penalty of perjury certifying the date, time, lake and person catching the fish.
  12. Rotarians and Derby Officials are not liable for any injury or loss of life or property. All anglers are responsible for their own safety and knowledge of their surroundings.
  13. By buying a ticket, the ticket holder (or if a minor, a parent or guardian) authorizes that their photograph can be used in The Great Meredith Fishing Derby’s marketing materials, unless a written request to withhold approval is made.
  14. ALL PARTICIPANTS HEREBY ACCEPT THESE RULES. IN THE INTERPRETATION OF RULES AND THE SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES THE DECISION OF THE DERBY JUDGES SHALL BE FINAL AND BINDING.