While several Wyoming ice fishing derby officials are canceling events due to dangerous ice conditions, Upper and Lower Sunshine reservoirs, home of the Meeteetse Ice Fishing Derby, has good ice, according to anglers who have hope the warm weather is short lived.

Angler and Meeteetse Visitors Center board member Tangi Linton reports about 4- to 5-inches of ice at both reservoirs, although she said Wednesday there are some soft spots at the edges of the reservoirs and at pressure points.

“I was out there fishing Saturday and we had about 5 inches of ice,” she said.

The board moved the derby back two weeks to ensure there’s plenty of freezing February nights to make conditions safe for anglers participating in the Center’s largest fundraiser. The event was initially scheduled for the first weekend of the month and was moved to Feb. 14-15, said Linton, who also works at the Wea Market.

The market supports fishing at the reservoirs, selling bait, licenses and posting a white board about ice and fishing conditions. Anglers often stop at the store to share their experiences over a hot cup of coffee and snacks.

“The fishing is better at Upper Sunshine Reservoir,” Linton said of the current conditions.

Newly hired Discover Meeteetse Director Codi Brooke Robinson and Assistant Director Bree Rose, also a new hire, are excited to be a part of the event. Both were hired in November and immediately started planning for the community’s Christmas in Meeteetse event. While Robinson is an angler, the Texas native has never tried ice fishing.

“I don’t know anything about ice fishing, actually. So this has been fun,” she said, adding that she has a great board willing to help out while she learns the ropes.

Robinson came to Meeteetse as a volunteer for Cowboys with a Mission prior to taking the job.

“I volunteered with them for eight months. And during that time, I fell in love with this area and the people here,” she said.

The derby has sold out for several years, with a limit of 125 three-person teams vying for thousands in prize money. There are also door prizes for gear and goodies at the post-event party at the Elkhorn Bar and Grill, including a raffle to win firearms from the Wall of Guns, sponsored by the National Rifle Association.

Unsafe and inconsistent ice conditions across southwest Wyoming have impacted several winter fishing events this season, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department reported Friday.

The Burbot Bash at Flaming Gorge has been canceled due to safety concerns related to poor ice and projected winds. Participants who registered for this year’s event will be contacted and given a choice for a refund or to have payment carried over for the 2027 tournament, which is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 22-24.

Additionally the Sulphur Creek Fishing Derby at Sulphur Creek Reservoir and Kemmerer Lions Club Fishing Derby at Viva Naughton Reservoir will not be held this year and the Boysen Ice Fishing Derby was canceled late last week due to poor ice conditions.

Ice fishing derbies are subject to conditions statewide. If there are events in your area, Game and Fish encourages checking ahead to confirm that events are still scheduled as planned, as cancellations can occur and are determined by the planning organizations.

“This has been an unusually warm winter, and ice conditions across southwest Wyoming have been inconsistent and unsafe,” said John Walrath, Wyoming Game and Fish Department fisheries supervisor in the Green River Region. “While we know these events are important to anglers and managers, public safety comes first. Canceling these derbies was the responsible decision for derby sponsors given current conditions and extended forecasts.”

While these tournaments have been canceled, the mild winter in terms of ice has allowed some anglers to continue fishing from boats. Meanwhile, Linton said the group she joined to fish through the hard water Saturday had a great day of fishing. Well, at least her friends had good success.

“I only caught one tiny fish all day,” she confessed.

For more information: meeteetsewy.com/meeteetse-ice-fishing-derby