Don’t miss the annual Detroit Lakes Polar Fest Poles n Holes Fishing Derby on Saturday, February 8, 2025. As before, the location is the northwest corner of Little Detroit Lake from noon to 3:00 p.m. Poles n Holes is the ‘kick off’ for the overall Detroit Lakes Polar Fest that opens February 7-23, 2025. Whether you’re a hard-core ice fishing enthusiast or someone who just enjoys some winter fun, this derby is for you! Enjoy the opportunities for spectators to join in the ice fishing fun. These include large warming areas, expanded food and beverage offerings, and vendors to share their wares.

The Detroit Lakes Breakfast Rotary Club Poles n Holes sponsors this annual Detroit Lakes fishing tournament. While it is certainly fun for all participants and spectators, its goal is to raise funds to support area literacy, youth sports, senior citizens programs and other community and international projects. Since the beginning of Poles n Holes, well over $250,000 has been raised for these worthy causes. Food and beverage service will also be available on the ice, so bring your friends, family, and appetite! Once again spectators will be allowed on the ice.

Poles n Holes Location

This event is held on the northwest corner part of Little Detroit Lake near the Rossman Avenue public access. Gates open at 9am, with parking available at the Kent Freeman Arena or on nearby streets. Parking on the ice is prohibited for safety reasons.

Contact & Web Info

Poles n Holes Facebook Page
Detroit Lakes Breakfast Rotary Club Poles n Holes Website
Email: icefishingdl@gmail.com

Fishing Derby Ticket Information

Tickets can be purchased to fish from one hole or two, with no age restrictions on participation. Participants may move to other unoccupied holes in the designated derby area. Derby participants are only allowed to fish in the designated area. Any participant fishing outside the area will be disqualified. Your ticket must be visible at all time.

One-Hole Tickets:
* $30 on-line in advance
* $35 in advance at area ticket vendors
* $40 day of on the ice.
Two-Hole Tickets:
* $50 on-line in advance
* $55 in advance at area ticket vendors
* $60 day of on the ice.
* Get Tickets Online

Poles N Holes Prizes:

2025 prizes TBA.

Detroit Lakes Polar Fest Poles N Holes Schedule:

* 9am: Gates Open
* Noon: Fishing Begins
* 3pm: Fishing Ends
* 3:30pm: Awards Presented & Post Party at The Holiday Inn

This Derby will be a release/kill derby.

After weighing, live fish will be released. Fish that die during the weighing process will be counted towards that angler’s daily possession limit, and release will not be attempted. This does not change the requirement that fish must be alive to be weighed. Derby officials have the final authority in determining whether a fish is alive. The leader board in the verification area will be updated regularly. Results are unofficial until verification by head judge. Judges shall have the right to verify all fish are legally caught. The decision of the judge is final. All prize winners may be required to take polygraph exam as part of the contest requirements. In the event deception is detected or the contestant refuses to take the exam, his/her prize will be forfeited. When transporting fish to the weight verification site, please keep the fish submerged in water. Please bring your own bucket/bag for transporting the fish.

Official Poles N Holes Fishing Derby Participant Rules

Fishing Derby Prize & Raffle Prize Rules

General Rules & Features

Mark your Calendar Today

You don’t want to miss the next Polar Fest Poles n Holes Fishing Derby, or any of the other great events that begin with the Ice Palace Lighting Ceremony in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota in February!

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About The Detroit Lakes Polar Fest

Detroit Lakes Polar Fest is held annually in mid-February with the plunge and fireworks on the Saturday night of President’s Day weekend. Polar Fest was started in 1996 by Erika Johnson, previous owner of Lakeside Tavern. She loved winter and wanted to see some sort of celebration of winter by the lake and outside her restaurant. Coincidentally, at the same time, Ron Zeman, former board member for Develop DL, heard about people jumping into a hole in the lake to raise money for an organization. He took that idea to the Boys & Girls Club and the “Polar Fest Plunge” was born. Polar Fest continued until 2002 when lack of support left Polar Fest with only its key event — the Polar Plunge, but no other activities.

In 2005, a group of crazy, winter-loving citizens came together to reinvigorate and warm up Polar Fest. Since then, Polar Fest has continued with the pinnacle event being the Polar Fest Plunge into Little Detroit Lake plus many other activities ranging from golfing on the lake to presentations by polar explorers to dances in the sand. In 2008, fireworks on the last Saturday evening were added and that has become one of the highlights of the week-long winter celebration.

About the Detroit Lakes Breakfast Rotary Club

The Detroit Lakes Breakfast Rotary Club is one of the 35,000 clubs world-wide who are affiliated with Rotary International. Like other Rotary Clubs, we are dedicated to six areas of focus to build international relationships, improve lives, and create a better world to support our peace efforts and end polio forever. We work in the community volunteering with United Way, local nursing homes, community events, ditch cleaning, and wherever we are needed, as a club and as individuals as we live “service above self”.

We are a group of over 60 members who gather both in person and via Zoom each Tuesday morning at 7 am with programs that are entertaining and informational. It’s a wonderful way to get to know your community and other like-minded service oriented folks.