It's Bill, 2/15/26: Legion Fishing Derby

Lubec’s Annual Fishing Derby

Lubec’s American Legion Stuart Greene Post 65 held its Annual Fishing Derby Saturday night, February 7, to raise money for local charities. Several other local Legions schedule Fishing Derbys during the ice fishing season. Attendance was good, as area guests go from one derby to another on a progressive weekly schedule. It was estimated there were about 100 guests.

The door to the Legion had a sign with an arrow pointing to “Stuart-Greene Lake,” which, in actuality, is Post 65’s large function room. After walking through the bar, guests entered “Lake Stuart-Greene.” They were greeted by three members of the Women’s Auxiliary selling tickets and explaining how to fish at the Derby. Over 100 ticket sheets were sold at $25 each. Each sheet had 25 tickets plus a Grand Prize ticket. Dinner was included with choices of fish chowder, corn chowder, or chili. At the end of the derby, a Grand Prize ticket was drawn for $500.

How to Catch a Fish

The primary purpose of the derby was to “catch” a fish. Twenty five-gallon buckets were in the center of the room (Stuart-Greene Lake), where you could fish by putting one of your 25 sheet tickets in any bucket. You could buy as many $25 sheets as you wanted, increasing your odds of a winning ticket being drawn.

Here’s how to catch a fish. A random ticket is drawn from one of the buckets in rotation. The ticket number is announced. Most guests know their ticket numbers; if not, the Women’s Auxiliary has the master list of guests’ ticket numbers. The ticket holder then pulls a card from a shuffled deck. The card must be a number card, 2 through 10, to catch a fish, called “Fish On!” If the card is a Jack, Queen, King, or Ace, it is not eligible, called “Fish Off.” The card designates the weight of the fish: 2 = 2 pounds, 3 = 3 pounds, etc. At the end of fishing, the guest with the most pounds of fish wins $1,000.

“Fishing” at Stuart-Greene Lake — numbered buckets ready for lucky tickets during the indoor ice fishing derby at American Legion Post 65.

Community, Prizes, and Good Cheer

There are donated door prizes from businesses and members. West Quoddy Station donated a $150 gift certificate, a hoodie, hat, long-sleeve T-shirt, infant apparel, and a parrot kite.

Throughout the derby, a random ticket is occasionally pulled from a bucket for a donated door prize, and the donor’s name is announced. It’s all about being part of the Real Downeast.

Lubec’s community was joined by others from our area and neighboring Legions. A cold night outside but warm with friends getting together for a positive cause. And both sides of the bar were open. Lots of good humor, laughter, and camaraderie. We look forward to next year’s Fishing Derby—always good.