Applications Being Filed For 40th Annual Ice Fishing Derby

November 27, 2023 |

Photo – Save The Date reminder for Ice Derby – Courtesy Saratoga Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce

The Saratoga Ice Fishing Derby will return this January.

Illegal yellow perch were found in Saratoga Lake during the 2022 ice fishing derby. To prevent the invasive fish species from escaping and harming the surrounding area, Wyoming Game and Fish used a specialized toxin to kill off all aquatic life in the lake.

With no fish and very little water in the lake this time last year, the 2023 ice fishing derby was canceled. Game and Fish restocked Saratoga Lake with thousands of trout during the summer.

At the November 21^st Saratoga town council meeting, Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Amanda Knotwell applied for a special event application for the 40^th Annual Saratoga Ice Fishing Derby. Knotwell said she is expecting this year’s event to be well attended. The chamber CEO said she has received a lot of interest from sponsors.

Mayor Chuck Davis asked Knotwell to come to the December 5^th town council meeting with the complete list of event sponsors. Knotwell said organizations from outside the Platte River Valley have offered to financially support the ice fishing derby. The chamber CEO said Saratoga Lake is well stocked.

Knotwell asked Saratoga Police Chief Mike Morris to have officers conduct periodic visits to Saratoga Lake during the fishing derby. The chamber CEO said alcohol will be served during the event and police presence should reduce the likelihood of trouble.

Knotwell also asked Chief Morris to prevent attendees from accessing Saratoga Lake from the cemetery access road. Knotwell said the event will be catered by the American Legion and several food trucks. Responding to Mayor Davis, Knotwell said every food vendor must have the proper permit to operate during the fishing derby.

The council approved Knotwell’s special event application. The 2024 Saratoga Lake Ice Fishing Derby will be January 20^th and 21^st, 2024. For more information, contact the Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce at 326-8855 or visit the Platte Valley Community Center to speak to Knotwell in person.