It doesn't matter whether you are experienced at icefishing or not, you can have a lot of fun and always learn more about icefishing by attending one of the hard water fishing derbies being held on many Vermont lakes during the next few weeks.

Here are five that are coming up real soon and the people to contact for more information:

Feb. 8-9 Champlain Islands Fishing Derby (Lake Champlain) - Todd Sudol - 802-233-7673

Feb. 8-9 Hortonia Icefishing Derby (Lake Hortonia) - Jody Gale - 802-273-3445

Feb. 8-9 Willoughby Icefishing Derby (Lake Willoughby) - James Towns 802-525-3300

Feb. 9 Upper Valley F&G Club Derby (Lake Fairlee) - Rhett Scruggs 802-649-2958

Feb. 13-16 Northeast Kingdom Icefishing Derby (NEK lakes and Lake Carmi) - Ronald Wright at Wright's Enterprises 802-334-6115

For more detailed information on these events and to learn about the fishing derbies coming up this year, be sure to visit the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department's website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com) and check under Fishing for the searchable upcoming fishing tournaments.

Many participants go to these events with family or friends to enjoy the camaraderie and to bring home some fresh fish for the table.

"We catch a whole lot of fish and some really, really big ones, like a record breaking 44-inch northern pike caught last year," said Ronald Wright of Newport, Vt. who puts on the Northeast Kingdom Icefishing Derby. "The dinner night is the social event of the winter -- great food, great people, great raffle, and great prizes."