The LVVA Ice Fishing Derby is hosted on Bangs Lake in Wauconda, Illinois. Over 17 years it grew into one of the largest and most successful ice fishing events in Northern Illinois, and after a one-year pause, a new team of organizers is carrying it forward.
We award thousands of dollars in wild card items and individual angler prizes for the largest northern pike, bass, perch, crappie, walleye and bluegill, plus kids prizes. Thanks to our generous sponsors there are plenty of door prizes, raffles and big fish contests.
A full weekend on the ice
The derby is a weekend event. Register in the FishDonkey app, fish Bangs Lake anytime during derby hours, and log your catches as you go. The app photographs, timestamps and GPS-verifies every fish, so you can fish your own way and still compete. On shore, expect raffles, merchandise, food and the community that’s made this event a Northern Illinois tradition.
Why we fish
Every year the derby supports a chosen beneficiary. For 17 years that was Veterans Path to Hope Outdoors, which uses therapeutic outdoor recreation to help veterans and their families. That tradition continues, and beginning in 2027 proceeds will also support children’s health, firefighters, and local foundations and scholarships.
Details for the 2027 derby will be announced here as they’re finalized.