Unsafe ice conditions have forced the cancellation of the 10th Annual Ryan Wagner Memorial Ice Fishing Derby, scheduled Feb. 21 at Murphy Lake near Fortine.

Unseasonably warm temperatures and heavy rains degraded the ice. 

Event organizer Duane Cash said he has not seen conditions like this in early February in over 40 years.

Proceeds from this popular event go to scholarships for students graduating from Lincoln County High School in Eureka. 

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of this event, organizers had hoped to offer graduating students a total of three $1,000 scholarships. 

For the past three years, derby organizers were able to offer $2,000 in scholarships each year. Sales of raffle tickets for a power ice auger, handmade quilt and ice shelter will continue in an effort to generate as much revenue for scholarships as possible.

For more information, contact Tim Thier at 882-4697 or Mark Sartori at 882-6018.