‘It got big fast’: Ice fishing derby in Wauconda ending its run after 17 years

Merchandise for the popular annual ice fishing event in Wauconda usually sells well but has ticked up this year for The Final Derby.

“The hoodies and the hats and garb (are) selling pretty good,” noted Mike Rodgers, who with longtime neighbor Ryan Jacobsen, started the LVVA Ice Fishing Derby in 2009.

“The sponsors are so loyal,” Rodgers added. “To go to Jewel in Lake Zurich and you see a derby hoodies from years ago — it’s crazy.”

But the 2026 installment, scheduled for Jan. 30-31 on Bangs Lake, will be the last for this iteration.

Earlier this year, Jacobsen permanently relocated to northern Wisconsin, closing the book on one of the largest and best known events of its kind in Northern Illinois.

“With this move, I am no longer able to run this derby remotely effectively,” he explained.

One element that likely won't change going forward is the traditional chili cook off associated with and held in advance of the derby itself.

Other than opening early to allow fans time to get their fill ahead of the big playoff game Saturday evening between the Bears and Packers, 10 well-practiced chili-making teams are set and raffle prizes readied for a big crowd.

American Legion Post 911, 515 S. Main St., will open at 4 p.m., with free food — while supplies last — available beginning at 5 p.m. The bounty will include pizza, a hot dog bar and many crock pots of chili for toppings or to tackle solo.

As with the ice fishing derby, the cook off benefits Veterans Path to Hope Outdoors. This year, the grand prize trip to be awarded to a veteran or active duty service member is to Rock Shop Inn in Lander, Wyoming.

Chili always has been part of the festivities but this is the ninth year it’s being held indoors at the Legion hall, says Rodgers, who organizes the cook off.

“I think we’re going to try to keep this going,” he said. “It’s a lot easier to run.”

In recent years, the derby has become more flexible, with participants using the Fish Donkey app to register and record their catches.

Named for the Lake View Villa Association neighborhood on the northeast side of Bangs Lake, the event has grown exponentially and raised more than $80,000 for veterans causes.

Jacobsen, a Navy veteran, had expertise running events and suggested the idea out of the blue for the following weekend.

“He’s like, ‘Hey, let’s do an ice fishing derby,’” recalled Rodgers.

“Originally, it was just a neighborhood derby,” Jacobsen said. Thirty-eight anglers participated the first year. Then about 100. Then about 530.

“It got big fast,” Rodgers said.

As participation grew, they decided to give proceeds to veterans groups.

“As a 20-year Navy veteran myself and Mike’s dad being an Army veteran, it was an easy choice,” Jacobsen said.

Wounded Heroes Foundation Inc. was the charity of choice for few years, then Veterans R & R for a time and Veterans Path to Hope Outdoors for the past six years.

Through fishing, boating, camping and other outdoor activities, recreational therapists with Veterans Path to Hope Outdoors help build and strengthen confidence, self-esteem and more.

Jacobsen is the director and founder of the Outdoors program and case manager for Veterans Path to Hope, a nonprofit based in Crystal Lake.

The ice fishing derby was canceled two years during COVID and rescheduled to a backup date a few times but has maintained a loyal base of supporters and participants.

Will this be the last call? Stay tuned.

“As of right now, it’s TBD, but there is interest from some members of our association who would like to keep it running,” Rodgers said.