“We wait all year for this,” Dan Milich, of New Windsor, said in front of the prize truck on Saturday.

The Northern Challenge was canceled due to unsafe ice conditions. Former derby Chairperson Dave McMahon said that 12 inches of ice is preferred, but the ice this past week was between 6 and 3.5 inches, depending on the spot. For small groups, that thickness is fine, but for 1,100 people — most with snowmobiles and ATVs and each drilling several holes — it’s just not safe, McMahon said.

The Challenge is a catch-and-release derby for Northern Pike. Prizes include cash payouts for the three biggest fish and one “lucky fish” at the top of each hour, five 50-50 raffles, two four-wheelers and other door prizes. The 50-50 raffles were each around $2,000.

The Tupper Lake Sportsmens Club, which hosts the event, has in the tournament rules that if fishing were to be canceled, all prizes — except for fish winnings — would be handed out at random by raffle drawing.

Hundreds of people showed up to the Simon Pond boat launch on Saturday after the Northern Challenge Ice Fishing Derby was canceled. The tournament’s $40,000 in prizes were awarded by raffle. (Enterprise photo — Oliver Reil)

Milich was the last winner of the day, scoring the second of two four-wheelers. He has been fishing in the derby for “at least 12 years.” It’s become a tradition for his family and friends. Though sad to see it canceled, he remained in good spirits.

“This’ll make up for it,” Milich said with a laugh.

For some, the turnout was surprising.

“I thought there wouldn’t be this many people (to) show up just for this,” said Steve Savage of Canajoharie.

Savage has been attending the derby for 27 years. This is the first time it’s been canceled — apart from during the coronavirus pandemic — since he started.

Landscaper Ryan Savage of Tupper Lake, at left, has been attending the Northern Challenge for two years. (Enterprise photo — Oliver Reil)

“Nothing you can do about it,” he said. “I’m sure they’d rather be safe than sorry.”

Even still, he made the two-and-a-half hour drive to participate and, hopefully, to win some prizes.

“We’ll take what we get, (there’s) some chance to take when you sign up,” he said.

Though there were many prizes awarded, the chances of winning were slim in a crowd that size. Some people in the crowd held their breath each drawing, only to let out jovial moans when their number fell short. Winners enjoyed good-hearted heckling and support, some making a big show of their victory. One $100 raffle winner hooted and hollered all the way to the prize truck, excited just to take part.

The Northern Challenge is a staple of the Tupper Lake community. As one of the biggest ice fishing derbies in the state, some years see over 1,000 entrants. Last year, 714 people attended, the smaller number likely due to the sub-zero temperatures. This year, the mercury hovered around 25 degrees.

Dave McMahon gives a farewell speech Saturday before prizes were awarded, thanking the community for his last 24 years as derby chairperson. (Enterprise photo — Oliver Reil)

“It was really cold,” said local landscaper Ryan Savage, 24.

He’s been fishing in the tournament for two years. He was also surprised by the turnout, but glad that the cancellation didn’t dissuade people from enjoying the day.

“(It’s) definitely good for the community and places around,” he said.

Some people still got out fishing despite the Northern Challenge being canceled. (Enterprise photo — Oliver Reil)

Dan Milich of New Windsor stands with his new four-wheeler. He has been fishing in the derby for at least 12 years. For him and his loved ones, it is a tradition they look forward to all year. (Enterprise photo — Oliver Reil)