As the weather finally cools down and area anglers turn to fishing hard water, Meeteetse wants to remind you to get your registration in for the 14th annual ice fishing derby.

The derby has had record numbers the past couple of years. There is a limit to how many teams can compete, so it’s best not to put off registering until the last minute. The 125-team tournament is scheduled for Feb. 5-6, with teams first fishing Upper Sunshine Reservoir Saturday and finishing on Lower Sunshine Sunday.

Both lakes are stocked by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Upper Sunshine is a haven for Yellowstone cutthroat trout. The lower reservoir also has lake trout, splake, tiger trout, brown trout, rainbows and a few whitefish.

The department stocked more than 6.5 million fish in 368 Wyoming waters in 2021 to maintain fishing opportunities for anglers. The majority of fish — cold-water varieties of trout — come from the department’s 10 hatcheries and rearing stations across Wyoming. 

“Healthy fish and hearty stocking numbers are key as Wyoming continues to satisfy resident anglers again and again, and keeps the state’s fisheries a favorite for nonresidents as well,” said Sara DiRienzo, public information officer for the department in a recent press release.

Anglers can see the Game and Fish stocking reports online as far back as 1985 at wgfapps.wyo.gov/FishStock/FishStock.

The derby is offering $10,000 in cash prizes as well as door prizes and the NRA Wall of Guns fundraiser on Saturday night. To register for the derby, visit www.MeeteetseWY.com