12th Annual Fife Lake Ice Fishing Derby on Feb. 14 Offers $1,000

Anglers and families are invited to take to the ice in Fife Lake for a community derby that promises a $1,000 prize and family-friendly fees. The event is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, with a 7 a.m. start and a 4 p.m. window listed by local organizers.

Promotional material for the event urges participation: “Join us on February 14th 2026 for the 12th Annual $1000 Fife Lake Ice Fishing Derby!” A Facebook announcement states, “Registration is OPEN for the Annual FIfe Lake Ice Fishing Derby! This years derby will be held on February 14th, 2026 The derby will be hosted by JB's Midway” Local event listings also show an on-the-ground address that could be a registration or check-in point: “211 E. State St., Fife Lake Sports $35 per adult; $10 per child. This event falls on the Free Fishing Weekend, which means there is no license required.”

Entry fees are consistently listed as $35 per adult and $10 per child across multiple community listings; the Fife Lake Chamber entry specifies adults as 18 years and older. Organizers list a 7:00 a.m. start and, in one listing, an end time of 4:00 p.m. Beyond the headline $1,000 reference, listings do not include a full prize breakdown, weigh-in procedures, or registration links in the published snippets.

The derby falls on Michigan’s Free Fishing Weekend, which local calendar copy notes means participants will not need a fishing license for that day. That timing can lower the cost of participation and may draw casual anglers and families who otherwise would not register. JB’s Midway is named as the host in social media copy; separate listings reference Fife Lake Sports at 211 E. State St. The exact roles of JB’s Midway, Fife Lake Sports, and the Fife Lake Chamber in organizing, check-in, and prize administration were not specified in the available notices.

For the local economy and civic life, the derby represents more than a contest. Small downtown businesses at E. State St. and nearby restaurants and lodging likely see increased foot traffic when tournaments draw anglers and their families. Community events tied to Free Fishing Weekend also serve civic objectives - lowering barriers to outdoor recreation, encouraging multi-generational participation, and reinforcing Fife Lake’s profile as a regional winter destination.

Verify registration, prize and category details, the official check-in location, and child age cutoffs with event organizers before arriving. Expect increased activity around downtown Fife Lake on Feb. 14 and plan for typical winter travel conditions when heading to the lake.