ANSON — Local fishermen will have a chance to compete this weekend to catch a $5,000 brook trout in Embden Pond.

The fish, which was tagged Wednesday by the Anson Firemen’s Association and the Maine Warden Service, entitles its captor to the $5,000 grand prize in an ice fishing derby scheduled for Saturday. It will be wearing a bright green tag with an undisclosed number on it.

Additional Images

Anson Fire Chief Jeremy Manzer, left, and Gene Arsenault, of the Embden Rearing Station, hold a tagged brook trout that is worth $5,000 if caught by a participant in this Saturday’s fishing derby on Embden Pond. Behind the men is a Fire Department all-terrain-vehicle bought last year. Staff photo by David Leaming

This 10-inch brook trout has been tagged. If caught this Saturday during an ice fishing derby on Embden Pond to benefit the Anson Fire Department, it will win $5,000 for the person who hooks it. Staff photo by David Leaming

The third annual Anson Firemen’s Association Ice Fishing Derby, to be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, is a fundraiser for the firemen’s association, a nonprofit group associated with the Anson Fire Department. Proceeds will help pay for an all-terrain rescue vehicle that the department bought last year, Anson Fire Chief Jeremy Manzer said.

“It’s been so miserable, and people haven’t been able to get outdoors and do stuff this winter. We’re trying to get people to be active, especially with their kids on February vacation,” Manzer said. “We’re hoping for good weather.”

Prizes will be awarded for the biggest fish in three categories: salmon, brook trout and togue. The top prize in each category will be $150, followed by second- and third-place prizes of $100 and $50. Fishing gear and traps also will be awarded as prizes for participating children.

This is the second year in which the derby also includes a grand prize of $5,000 to the captor of the tagged brook trout. Last year the fish was not caught, Manzer said. The prize is sponsored by T.R. Dillon Logging.

“I don’t know what the actual odds are, but it would be a lucky day if you caught it,” Manzer said.

Last year about 250 people participated in the derby. “We’ve tried to make it bigger and bigger every year,” Manzer said. Tickets cost $15 per person and can be bought at Mike’s Bait in Anson; at Bait, Bolts & Bullets in Solon; or through the Anson Fire Department website.

The derby weigh-in station will be open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the public boat launch at the south end of the pond.

Rachel Ohm — 612-2368

rohm@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @rachel_ohm