MEETEETSE- The Meeteetse Visitor’s Center, in conjunction with the Park County Travel Council, will host the 10th annual Meeteetse Ice Fishing Derby this Saturday and Sunday at Sunshine Reservoir.

Fishing will begin promptly at 8 a.m. and finish at 2 p.m. each day. Saturday will be on the Upper Sunshine Reservoir and Sunday will be on the Lower Sunshine Reservoir.

Judging will be from 1 to 3 p.m. each day. Judging stations will be near the restrooms, located on the Upper and Lower Reservoirs.

On Thursday, Meeteetse Visitor’s Center Event Coordinator Tess Tom was still organizing prizes for the Small Fry Division (children), from donations by the Meeteetse Fire Department, including fishing equipment and toys.

Tom reported that only 24 had registered for the derby, but most anglers register the morning of the event.

“We are hoping for some good fishing this year,” said Tom. “The ice is looking really good and cross your fingers for nice weather.”

There is a limit of six fish judged for the 2-day contest, and must be caught the same day as judging.

Wyoming Game and Fish advise that when ice fishing, always have your cell phone with you, fully charged, and stored in a waterproof pouch (Ziploc bags work fine) and also make sure you are fishing on safe ice — at least 4 inches in depth. Never fish on ice that has been broken and refrozen.

Last year’s winners of the Ice Fishing Derby include Brylee Campbell of Laramie with 52.25 inches in the Small Fry Division, Terry Mari, Brenda Mari and Kelsey Chouinard of Powell with 184.75 inches in the Team Division, Jessie Wentz of Meeteetse and Josh Downer of Powell in the calcutta.