Save the Date: February 28th, 2026
18th Annual Lac du Bonnet Ice Fishing Derby!
LdBICE Student Bursary Recipient Announcement!
The Lac du Bonnet Ice Fishing Derby is proud to celebrate two outstanding local students who have been awarded this year’s $1,000 LdBICE Student Bursaries to support their post-secondary education. Congratulations Ainsley & Kaisee! We’re honored to support your journeys and can’t wait to see the impact you’ll make in the world of education.
Ainsley Van Linden
Lac du Bonnet Senior School
On Friday, June 20th, Ainsley was awarded a $1,000 bursary to assist with her studies in the BA/B.Ed Integrated Program at Brandon University. Ainsley has been inspired by her own positive educational experiences growing up in Lac du Bonnet and plans to return to a smaller community—much like her hometown—to teach middle years students after graduation. Her goal is to give back to the kind of environment that shaped her love for learning and education.
2025 Lac du Bonnet Ice Fishing Derby: Survey Results Now Available!
Kaisee Witnicki
École Edward Schreyer School
On Tuesday, June 24th, Kaisee received a $1,000 bursary to support her educational journey at Dakota College in Bottineau, North Dakota, where she is focusing on education. Kaisee chose this field of study because she is passionate about working with high-needs children, using both academics and sport to help them succeed. She believes that teaching children early on how to cope with learning disabilities gives them essential tools to build a strong foundation and apply these skills throughout their academic careers.
Hole Drilling Teams
Hole drilling at full speed! Watch as the Hole Drill team powers through 2,100+ holes in just 1 hour at the Lac du Bonnet Ice Fishing Derby on February 22, 2025!
This powerhouse team of 45 volunteers from the 249 Cadets Squadron in Beausejour, along with the Pinawa Panthers High School Hockey Team, tackled the challenge using 29 augers with energy and determination! Fast, focused, and frosty!
The Rush was on at the Lac du Bonnet Ice Fishing Derby!
At 10:00 am sharp, the excitement hit a fevered pitch as participants of the Lac du Bonnet Ice Fishing Derby raced out onto the ice to claim their favorite spot! It’s an exhilarating scene of anglers dashing with all their gear in tow, each one hoping to secure that perfect location for the day’s fishing adventure!
The rush is always electric as everyone knows— you never know who will be the lucky winner of the $15,000 cash prize fish! The competition is fierce, but the camaraderie and thrill of the derby make it an unforgettable experience for all. Who will reel in the big one this year?
This was more than just a fishing derby; it’s an all-out race for glory on the ice!
❤️ A Weekend of Joy, Community & Unforgettable Moments ❤️
A little girl from our community, Callie Violet Augustine, was diagnosed with leukemia in October 2024. Her aunt provides weekly updates. This week's update isn’t just about the hard moments—it’s about joy too.
"This weekend, joy came in the form of an incredible opportunity! Callie and her family were invited to take part in the Lac du Bonnet Ice Fishing Derby, an event that does far more than bring people together—it gives back. With over $248,000 reinvested into the community, this Derby is a shining example of generosity, unity, and the power of people coming together for something bigger than themselves.
The family had an unforgettable day out on the ice, making memories that will be cherished forever. And to top it all off, Hannah even won a youth prize! A heartfelt thank you to the Derby organizers for making this possible, for welcoming our family with open arms, and for allowing Sheyanna to speak—though the emotions ran deep, please know our gratitude is endless."
Hearing stories like Callie and her family's unforgettable day at the Derby is what makes everything we do so worthwhile. This event is about more than just fishing—it's about community, connection, and creating moments that will be cherished for a lifetime.
Callie, Hannah, Sheyanna, Colin and your entire family, thank you for allowing us to be part of your journey. Your kind words mean the world, and we are beyond grateful to have shared this special experience with you.
To everyone who participates, sponsors, volunteers and supports the Lac du Bonnet Ice Fishing Derby—you make these moments possible. Together, we’re building something truly meaningful. 💙
What an AMAZING day at the 17th Annual Lac du Bonnet Ice Fishing Derby
We had 1,394 anglers fish 1,587 holes! The excitement was off the charts, with 133 fish caught!
A special CONGRATULATIONS to Debbie Miller from La Broquerie for winning a whopping $15,000 for her 24 cm sauger caught at 12:26 pm!
Big thanks to our incredible sponsors, dedicated volunteers, and all the anglers and spectators who joined us for a beautiful day out on the ice.
This year, we tried something new by allowing spectators on the ice to share in the fun, and we had 86 spectators join in on the action! It was awesome to see the ice packed with even more energy and excitement.
We also want to give a shout-out to Grant Leutschaft (One Man Band) for keeping the crowd entertained while we tallied the winners.
Stay tuned for more info and pictures over the next few days, as we continue to reflect on this epic event!
Prizes @ Lac du Bonnet Ice Fishing Derby !
We are thrilled to announce that, due to an overwhelming response from our generous sponsors and the incredible support from the community, we awarded over $70,000 in cash and prizes on Derby Day! While the cash prizes remained at $26,000, the random prize draws, on-ice giveaways, raffle, and more exceeded $43,000!
This increase in prizes was a testament to the fantastic enthusiasm and generosity we received, and we were excited to share these amazing rewards with all of our participants. We were so glad to see everyone there and celebrate this exciting event together!
Since our beginning, we've been more than just an event – we’re a community-driven organization dedicated to giving back.
Thanks to your support, we’ve invested over $274,000 back into Lac du Bonnet through grants, student bursaries, and donations to local causes. Together, we’re building a stronger, more vibrant community for everyone.