Burbot Classic Fishing Derby starts Friday

There could be up to $20,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs at the annual Buckboard Marina Burbot Classic Fishing Derby.

Permitted by the Ashley National Forest, this years event will take place Friday and end Sunday.

Lauretta Tanner of Buckboard Marina said this is the third derby they have hosted and they are hoping for a good turnout, but they never know what it will be till the day of the event.

She said the tournament is important because burbot or ling were illegally introduced to the Flaming Gorge and they need to get rid of them.

She said participants will be allowed to fish from both the shore and boats.

All participants at the event must have a valid fishing license and follow all Wyoming Game and Fish regulations.

Teams can consist of two to four people and the cost for those that pre-register or register at the opening ceremonies is $35 for each person over 16 and $5 for 15 and younger. The cost to register after Friday at 6 p.m. is $40 per adult and $5 for 15 and younger.

Check points for Saturday will be at Buckboard Marina and Green River Marine behind Cruel Jack’s Travel Center. The final check station Sunday will be from 8-10 a.m. at Buckboard Marina.

An entry form and rules can be found at http://www.buckboardmarina.com.

Last month, the annual Flaming Gorge Chamber of Commerce Burbot Bash was cancelled due to rapidly deteriorating ice conditions and warmer weather forecasts

In a release this week, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department advised ice fishermen that warmer weather of recent weeks has deteriorated ice conditions throughout much of the state and the ice on many waters may no longer be safe. Anglers are asked to use extreme caution before venturing out on the ice.

However, with each passing warm day, the news gets better for those anglers anxiously waiting for open water on their favorite lake or reservoir.

Anglers who have been fishing on any of the 26 waters covered under the special winter ice fishing provision are advised that the liberalized regulations on those waters only apply when fishing through the ice. The special winter ice fishing provision allows anglers to use up to six poles on those waters during the ice covered period. When lakes and reservoirs included in that provision are no longer ice covered, the regulation on those waters reverts back to the use of two poles.

 While it is likely that upcoming cold snaps may improve ice conditions, it is possible that unsafe ice thickness will prevail on many waters. Anglers are advised that ice thickness can vary from safe to unsafe conditions on the same water. Warmer weather coupled with freezing and thawing temperatures and wind can also contribute to unsafe ice thickness.

 

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