The ice fishing derbies are right around the corner and its time to get them on your calendar.

All participants must follow state fishing regulations and possession limits. Many of the contests require catch-and-release fishing.

The conditions of contests are aimed at lowering fish mortality, regulating harvest, avoiding user conflicts, or requiring additional access site maintenance.

Here are the scheduled ice fishing contests for the 2012 – 2013 winter season:

Region 1 – Northwestern Montana

• Dec. 15 The Perch Assault on Smith Lake
• Dec. 29 Sunriser Lions Smith Lake Fish Derby on Smith Lake
• Jan. 12, 2013 The Perch Assault on Middle Thompson Lake
• Jan. 26-27, 2013 Fisher River Valley Winter Fishing Derby on Upper, Middle, Lower Thompson, Crystal & Loon Lakes
• Feb. 1-23, 2013 10th Annual Perch Pounder on all Region One Waters
• Feb. 9-10, 2013 The Lodge at McGregor Lake Annual Fishing Derby
• Feb. 16, 2013 Snappy Sport Senter 13th Annual Lake Mary Ronan Derby
• Feb. 16, 2013 Ryan Wagner Memorial Ice Fishing Derby on Murphy Lake
• Feb. 23, 2013 Canyon Kids Christmas Fund Fishing Derby on Lion Lake
• March 9, 2013 The Perch Assault on Lake Mary Ronan

Region 3 – South Central Montana

• Jan. 26, 2013 Stan Shafer Memorial on Clark Canyon Reservoir
• Feb. 3, 2013 Hebgen Lake NAIFC Qualifier on Lake Hebgen

Region 4 – North Central Montana

• Jan. 12-13, 2013 Central Montana Perch Derby on East Fork Reservoir
• Jan. 26-27, 2013 Broadwater Lions Perch Derby on Canyon Ferry Reservoir
• Jan. 26, 2013 Western Bar Ice Fishing Derby on Willow Creek Reservoir
• Feb. 9, 2013 Perch Assault on Canyon Ferry Reservoir

Region 6 – Northeastern Montana

• Jan. 5, 2013 6th Annual Clinton Phipps Memorial on Fort Peck Reservoir
• Jan. 20, 2013 Crooked Creek Ice Derby on Fort Peck Reservoir
• Jan. 26, 2013 Murph’s 7th Annual Memorial Tournament on Nelson Reservoir
• Jan. 26-27, 2013 2nd Annual Fresno Ice Derby on Fresno Reservoir
• Feb. 2, 2013 Hell Creek Ice Fishing Tournament on Fort Peck Reservoir
• Feb. 16, 2013 17th Annual Ice Fishing Derby on the Dredge Cut Trout Pond