Anglers have left the ice as the 34th annual Wawa Ice Fishing Derby's wrapped up.
Derby board member Melanie Farrington is happy with the response to this year's event.
About 975 participants joined in the derby with nearly 100 fish brought in, though it was Jeremy Pilote of Chapleau who brought in the biggest fish of the derby - and the biggest northern pike - at 15.4 pounds - Pilote came in 2nd at the Chapleau Pike Ice Fishing Derby in February.
Topping the lake trout category was Kris Bain of Sault Ste. Marie (originally from Hawk Junction) with a 10.18-pounder, while Luigi Bruni of Sault Ste. Marie (who reeled in the 2025 derby's biggest fish) had the biggest whitefish at 4.21 pounds.
Pilote, Bain, and Bruni each won a 2026 Sea-Doo Spark for 2 riders, the prize for 1st place in each category.
Bain is thrilled with his win.
First time derby participant Trevor MacDonald of Sudbury won the $20,000 entry draw Saturday night.
Pat Tait won the Early Bird Draw for a Fly-In Fishing Trip for 2 for 3 Days to Watson's Windy Point Lodge and Dave Carmanico won the Early Bird Draw for a Fly-In Fishing Trip for 2 for 3 Days to Pine Portage Lodge, while the Icehole Jackpot Draw winners were: Dave Howson (Strikemaster Maven Auger 8"); Madelin Jordan (Garmin Vivid 5cv Fishing Bundle & Eagle Claw Rod Case); Robert Summers (Alpha Auger 8"); Justin Carrick (2.5HP Yamaha Outboard); Sean Zasada (STIHL Chainsaw MS 250 Gas); and Leona Schram (Aqua Vu Underwater Camera).
Standings:
Lake Trout:
10.18 lb caught by Kris Bain of Sault Ste. Marie on Hawk Lake
9.77 lb caught by Jessy Dechamplain of Dubreuilville on Manitowik Lake
6.97 lb caught by Casey Shimel of Michigan on Manitowik Lake
6.78 lb caught by Colin Booth of Wawa on Wawa Lake
6.64 lb caught by Jacob Hubbard of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan on Manitowik Lake
6.58 lb caught by Francis Dechamplain of Dubreuilville on Manitowik Lake
6.46 lb caught by Brigitte Guay of Dubreuilville on Manitowik Lake
6.36 lb caught by Kari Smith of Wawa on Manitowik Lake
6.18 lb caught by Justin Carrick of Michigan on Manitowik Lake
6.15 lb caught by Jenny Hughes on Manitowik Lake
Northern Pike:
15.4 lb caught by Jeremy Pilote of Chapleau on Hawk Lake
14.34 lb caught by Brent Snyder of Michigan on Hawk Lake
9.11 lb caught by Ryan Barry of Fauquier on Hawk Lake
8.18 lb caught by Jeffrey McConnell of Hawk on Hawk Lake
7.12 lb caught by Crisp Jr. Marshall of Pickford, Michigan on Hawk Lake
6.54 lb caught by Robert Moss of Sault Ste. Marie on Manitowik Lake
6.49 lb caught by David Geroux on Hawk Lake
6.15 lb caught by Ramsey Michalski of Michigan on Hawk Lake
6.12 lb caught by Yvon Desrochers of Wawa on Hawk Lake
6.11 lb caught by Paul Flood of Echo Bay on Manitowik Lake
Whitefish:
4.21 lb caught by Luigi Bruni of Sault Ste. Marie on Wawa Lake
3.91 lb caught by Robert Mann of Wawa on Wawa Lake
3.89 lb caught by Lindsay Robinson on Wawa Lake
3.47 lb caught by Anders Dereski of Wawa on Wawa Lake
3.45 lb caught by Jamie Robinson of Wawa on Wawa Lake
3.43 lb caught by Jared Lindsay of Wawa on Wawa Lake
3.4 lb caught by Travis Gendron of Wawa on Wawa Lake
3.24 lb caught by Carol Anne Robinson of Wawa on Wawa Lake
3.17 lb caught by Patricia Bernath of Wawa on Wawa Lake
3.16 lb caught by Andre Brabant of Wawa on Wawa Lake