The 'Luck of the Irish' was a little slow to arrive this St. Patrick's Day at Lucien Lake. With only an hour left to the event, there had been no word of a catch. The fish were slow to take a bite, but laughter and light-hearted conversation heard around the ice indicated plenty of fun was being had at this year's derby.

Shack or no shack, ice fishing fanatics came out to Lucien Lake Regional Park Saturday for the park's annual fish derby. The mild mid-March temperatures allowed for participants to enjoy the fishing either out in the open air or in their ice fishing shacks.

Regardless of whether or not any fish are caught, the derby in the Middle Lake area has become a fun, social event, attracting participants young and old to the lake, says Don Schlitz, a Member of the Lucien Lake Park board.

"There are quite a few kids here, and families come out. It's more or less just for getting out," says Schlitz.

A 50/50 was made available to the fishing enthusiasts, and all proceeds will go towards park improvements.