Sophia Poitras won first place at the Murray Lake Ice Fishing Derby. (Image Credit: Kenny Moccasin/ Facebook)

By Alyssa Rudolph

MURRAY LAKE ICE FISHING DERBY

‘I caught a fish!’: 9-year-old wins $30K with first place Northern Pike

Mar 12, 2026 | 1:09 PM

Catching a 4.8-pound Pike can be exciting for anyone with a line in the water, but when nine-year-old Sophia Poitras reeled in her big catch during the Murray Lake Ice Fishing Derby, it also came with a $30,000 prize.

“It was amazing, I was so excited,” she said.  

The young angler appears to have a knack for fishing. Her father Rick said she’s reeled in at least one during the few times she’s gone fishing before.

“I got hers ready to throw her hook in the water. I was going to my hole to get it ready, and she started yelling, ‘I caught a fish, I caught a fish’. I didn’t believe her,” said Rick.

Murray Lake Ice Fishing Derby. (Image Credit: Joanne Elizabeth/ Facebook)

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The moment was described as pure chaos.  

“We weren’t even ready when she caught the fish,” Rick laughed. “From one neighbour, I borrowed pliers to get the hook out of the fish’s mouth. Our pail didn’t even have any water in it. From the next neighbour, I borrowed a pail. We got the fish loaded and ran across the ice.” 

Sophia caught what ended up being the largest fish just seconds after the first fish was caught during the derby. It certainly came as a surprise to the father and daughter who both figured they wouldn’t catch anything and were just there to enjoy a day together.

“Fishing is tough. You have good days, bad days, and you know, that just happened to be her day,” Rick said.

As soon as Sophia was handed her winnings, she knew what she wanted to do. 

“I’m putting it in savings, and then I’m going to Disney World,” she said. 

The family hasn’t set a date for the trip just yet, but Sophia said she is filled with excitement to meet all the characters and go on rides.  

Throughout the day on Murray Lake, 84 fish were caught with over $100,000 in winnings for participants. While Sophia’s pike came in at 4.8 pounds, the next closest in size was 4.4 pounds.

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Alyssa.rudolph@pattisonmedia.com