Warm weather and low snowfall this winter is helping to make this one of the best years for ice fishing seen here a while.

Scott Miller, of Soldotna Trustworthy Hardware and Fishing, said their annual ice-fishing derby is set to break a participation record this year.

The 13-year-old, month-long event has attracted over 1,200 entrants so far this year, and with more than a week to go, Miller said he expects to see another 100 to 200 people get in on the action before the end of February.

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Hungry predators lurking in area lakes are fair game for ice fishermen this time of year.

The Department of Fish and Game liberalizes ice-fishing regulations on a handful of lakes menaced by the invasive northern pike in an effort to keep their numbers in check.

Anglers are allowed to fish five “closely attended” lines in the Mackey Lakes, Tote Road Lakes, and Cisca, Derks, Sevena, Stormy and Union lakes, improving their odds.

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Any fish that thought the hard shell forming over their watery abode would protect them from the plying lines and barbed hooks of anglers is apt to be disappointed.

After a November cold snap, most of the region’s shallow water bodies froze over, kicking off the ice fishing season.

With more wintry weather in the forecast in the coming week, some of the area’s deeper lakes should soon have enough ice for give anglers even more options.

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