It was early, before 10 a.m., and catches were accepted at the derby — an annual event on Lake Simond on the first Saturday of February — through 3 p.m. But, by the Northern Challenge’s standard, this was a monster catch. Last year’s largest northern pike weighed in at 7.79 pounds.

“After I saw that one, I said, ‘oop, that’s probably the lunker pool winner,'” LaLonde said.

Sure enough, Egelston’s catch held down the podium by a comfortable margin. The day’s second-heaviest pike was reeled in by Kevin Barrows between 10 and 11 a.m., weighing in at a still-impressive 7.83 pounds. Third place overall was an early catch, as Dan Keck reeled in a 7.37-pound northern pike between 7 and 8 a.m.

The lunker bonus refers to the optional extra $10 registrants pay to make themselves eligible for the jackpot pool. It’s a 50% payout to the day’s biggest catch, who’s entered in the pool, and the other half goes to tournament organizers.

The Goodrow and Arcadi families smile on Lake Simond at the Northern Challenge ice fishing derby, held on Saturday in the town of Tupper Lake. From left, Christopher Goodrow, Tyler Goodrow, Matthew H. Goodrow, Kent Goodrow, Matthew M. Goodrow, Peter A. Arcadi and Peter C. Arcadi. Peter A. Arcadi caught the second-largest northern pike during the noon to 1 p.m. hour, weighing in at 4.65 pounds. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

Although this year’s 754 registrants make the Northern Challenge one of the largest ice fishing tournaments in the state, the turnout was down from normal. LaLonde attributed that to the frigid weather. Temperatures never got above minus 7 during the event, according to Tupper Lake’s New York state Mesonet weather station.

The wind chill ranged from -19.8 to -25.9 degrees at the weather station, which is near the Wild Center. Those values were almost certainly lower on Lake Simond, where the frozen waterbody’s large exposed area allows winds to blow more strongly.

“It’s always weather-dependent,” he said. “We always get about one-third (of our sign-ups ahead of time) online. The rest of them, they watch the weather. And when we get the good weather, we get the numbers.”

LaLonde said 1,000 registrants is around average, and 1,400 is a banner year. The ebbs and the flows, though, come with the territory.

“But you can’t control Mother Nature,” he said.

David Edgell and Tara Zumpano smile on Lake Simond at the Northern Challenge ice fishing derby, held on Saturday in the town of Tupper Lake. It was their ninth year attending and had a heated fishing hut to best the frigid temperatures, which remained below zero throughout the day. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

One thing that LaLonde didn’t have to worry about much this year was the ice quality and thickness. It had grown to a hefty 14 inches by mid-January, and with no signs of a thaw for late January and early February, there was no waiting it out until the last minute to see if there’d be enough ice for Lake Simond to be safe.

On Saturday, the ice had grown to 20 inches, and while pickup trucks are never permitted on the ice at the event, LaLonde said the ice was thick enough that organizers were able to plow some access paths on the lake for participants in advance this year.

And for those hearty souls who braved the cold, not only did LaLonde say plenty of fun was had on the ice, but the odds of winning a prize were better. There was over $40,000 in cash and cash-value prizes dished out this year. That includes $6,800 for the three largest fish, and random “lucky fish” caught each hour, two brand-new four-wheelers that were raffled off and a large variety of other 50-50 raffles and door prizes.

The heaviest northern pike each hour won $500, $200 was awarded for second place, $100 for third and $50 for the lucky fish. Normally, if there are fewer than 800 participants, the hourly prizes are paid out at 80%, but LaLonde said it was close enough — and anglers had to brave such brutally cold conditions — this year that those were paid in full.

All northern pike are released back into Lake Simond after they are weighed. The fish must be alive for it to count, and anglers bring them to the weigh station in a water-filled bag or bucket. There is a chute in the weigh station that drops through the ice into the water, and the northern pike are released immediately after their weight is recorded.

Christina Naylor and Ken Shaffer smile during a trip to the weigh station at the Northern Challenge ice fishing derby on Lake Simond in the town of Tupper Lake on Saturday. Schaffer’s 3.71-pound catch was good for third place in the noon to 1 p.m. hour. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

This was LaLonde’s third year spearheading the event, taking the reins from longtime lead organizer Dave McMahon. Planning the Northern Challenge takes a full year, LaLonde said, and involves a small cadre of Tupper Lake Sportsmen’s Club members.

“I start with this today for next year,” he said on Sunday. “I start ordering door prizes, the four-wheelers, sponsorships — we have a good support staff, but it’s very minimal, and the week of the derby, it’s all day long every day, no matter what — but it’s literally a year-long process.”

He said it’s an adventure, but one that’s well worth it. He thanked everyone who volunteered and/or donated to make the Northern Challenge another success this year.

“Our club does a lot of good stuff for the kids and everything,” he said. “It all goes right back, so it’s all good.”

Lester and Leighton Weller, of South Glens Falls, smile on Lake Simond at the Northern Challenge ice fishing derby, held on Saturday in the town of Tupper Lake. It was their first time ice fishing and, despite the cold, had a fun time. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

Brandon Hoffert with his catch at the Northern Challenge ice fishing derby held on Lake Simond in the town of Tupper Lake on Saturday. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)