2025 KIDFISH ICE DERBY RULES
KIDFISH is a catch-measure-and-release “Walleye / Sauger” tournament, with (1) exception of a youth “Pike” Prize as noted below. The Derby focus is on fun fishing, and raising money for The Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba and CancerCare Manitoba Foundation.
WINTER FAMILY FISHING WEEKEND is February 15-17, 2025, across Manitoba (excluding federal parks). During this weekends, people wishing to fish may do so without acquiring a license.
All other Manitoba Fishing rules and regulations apply. Please refer to the 2024 Manitoba Anglers’ guide at https://www.gov.mb.ca/nrnd/fish-wildlife/pubs/fish_wildlife/fish/angling-guide.pdf and adhere to the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Regulation under The Water Protection Act.
All hooks must be barbless.
LOCATION AND TIME
The 2025 derby will be held on the Red River at Selkirk Park in Selkirk, Manitoba. Access the river from the Selkirk Park boat launch. Designated parking areas will be marked. Volunteers will be onsite to direct parking.
Anglers are required to check in at the registration tent at the derby entrance. Only ticket holders, derby officials and volunteers are permitted in the designated derby site.
Registration opens at 8am.
Fishing will be allowed between 10am and 2 pm on day of the Derby
If you have to leave the fishing area for any reason, you must exit and enter through the main entrance.
FISHING PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED AS FOLLOWS
Qualifying Walleye, Sauger, Saugeye will be guaranteed prizes for the top 10 and kid categories.
Top 10 prizes are open to adults and youths.
Top 5 prizes for Youth (15&under) not qualifying for the Top 10.
Youth Largest Pike – Canadian Esox $100 cash prize will be awarded to the largest PIKE caught by a youth (15 & under). In the event a PIKE is not caught by a youth, then the prize will be awarded to an adult.
Youth largest Walleye/Sauger/Saugeye – Walleye Anglers Association of Manitoba $100 cash prize will be awarded to the largest Walleye/Sauger/Saugeye caught by a youth (15 & under).
In case of tie, the fish measured first will win the higher prize.
Only one major prize per ticket (two tickets = max 2 prizes)
You must be present to win and collect fishing prizes (Top 10 overall/Youth).
In the event there are not enough qualifying fish caught, the remaining Top 10 and/or Top 5 Kids prizes will be awarded by a draw from the pool of ticket purchasers.
Random Prize Draws
All derby ticket holders are eligible for the random prize draws.
Random ticket draws and prizes will be announced on our PA system and awarded throughout the Derby.
List of names and winner will be posted at the Derby Prize Tent.
Winners may pick up their prizes from the time of announcement until 3:00 pm on the day of the derby.
Contestants do not need to be present to collect random draw prizes, however contestants are responsible for applicable shipping charges. Winners not in attendance will be contacted by the phone number provided at time of purchase.
DERBY DAY
Horn will sound to begin and end the Derby.
Anglers will be allowed to enter the fishing area at 8am and may use depth locators to find depth for hole selection. No fishing line, for any reason, shall enter the water before 10 am.
NO fish may be caught or recorded before 10am or after 2pm. Only fish caught and in the possession of the angler by the sound of the horn at 2pm, will be eligible.
All anglers are reminded to dress to the weather conditions.
Fishing is only allowed within official marked boundaries.
1 Hole per entry (1 line per hole/ticket) – maximum 2 holes/tickets allowed to be purchased per angler.
You may fish any unoccupied hole.
Holes will NOT be pre drilled, but volunteers WILL be available on request to drill holes as required.
All coolers, pails, portable shacks will be subject to inspection prior to entering the derby site.
All equipment and shelters within the official Derby Site may be subject to random inspection by Derby officials before, and during the event.
Optional, acceptable items include, but not limited to; augers, portable shelters, heaters, tip-ups, flashers, pull behind sleds.
Private generators will not be allowed to run during the competition.
All anglers are responsible for their own rods, reels, tackle bait, etc.
As a family friendly derby, tents may be erected prior to 10am however no lines may be in the water until after the horns start. Failure to comply will lead to disqualification from the Derby.
No passing of fish amongst contestants. Reported and proven incidents will lead to disqualification.
No motorized vehicles allowed within 20 meters of the official derby site. Official Derby vehicles exempt.
FISH MEASURING
Your ticket must be present to qualify a measured fish.
Derby Officials will be stationed at various event locations to measure fish.
Fish will be measured by Derby Officials only.
All fish will be measured at your hole so the fish may be immediately released.
The time, length, species, angler’s name & phone number will be recorded by the Derby Official and provided to the Participant for verification of the information.
As all fish will be released immediately after measurement and will not be in the Participant’s possession. Under no circumstances are any participants allowed to keep their fish.
The Participant will bring the completed ‘fish slip’ to the Prize Tent to be entered/recorded by the Tournament Master.
In the event there are two or more fish the same length, the time caught will be used as a tie breaker.
Only one Walleye over 55cm (largest of the day) may be entered in by each angler. Angler may upgrade to larger fish but only one can qualify for prizes.
Competitors must be 16 years or older unless accompanied by an adult, or guardian.
RULES APPLY TO ALL TICKET HOLDERS
In the interest of good sportsmanship, contestants are reminded that the “spirit of the rule” shall apply. In the event any dispute arises in relation to these rules and the dispute is not resolved by negotiation, the Derby Committee will have the final say.
It is incumbent on all participants to familiarize themselves with all the rules of the Derby. Rules will also be posted at the Derby.
All anglers are required to be registered to take part in the event.
Registration is part of the ticket price and must take place before entering the official Derby Site. Non fishing attendees are required to register and purchase a ticket.
Each participating angler will be required to present their portion of the entry ticket when submitting a measured fish or claiming a prize at the event. ID will be required to claim random draw prizes.
By way of purchasing a ticket to participate, each angler agrees to an unwritten waiver of liability prior to the beginning of entering the Derby Site.
By buying a ticket and participating in this Derby, the user agrees to, and assumes responsibility for all risks involved as outlined in the rules.
All photos taken by KidFish staff and volunteers become the property of KidFish.
Alcohol, Cannabis, or illegal substances are strictly prohibited.
KidFish hosts, sponsors, volunteers, etc. are NOT responsible for losses, damages, or injuries.
Failure to comply with Derby Rules will lead to disqualification from the Derby.
CANCELLATIONS AND DELAYS
The Tournament Director has the right to delay, shorten, or cancel the Derby due to weather, or safety circumstances.
Should inclement weather or unsafe ice conditions cause Derby cancellation, the organizing committee may choose an alternate date and/or location for the Derby.
If no alternative date or location is available, prize winners will be drawn from the pool of sold tickets.
Official cancellation notices will be posted on” KidFish Ice Derby “Facebook page, kidfish.ca and all ticket vendors.
All ticket sales are final; no refunds will be given in the event of a date change or cancellation.
The Tournament Director, it’s Measure-Master, Promoters, Sponsors, Organizers, Hosts and affiliated Organizations assisting the operations of any of the Tournament, their Agents and/or Agents are NOT RESPONSIBLE for any death, injury, liability, fire, theft, or loss that may result prior to, during, or after the tournament how so ever caused. Decisions of the Tournament Director are final.
Chair – Brad Porath
Chair of Finance-Treasurer – Samantha Hobson
Event Experience – Wayne Gee
Volunteer Engagement – Shauna Lowe
Current as of Feb 5, 2025