Ice fishing derby set for weekend

The fourth annual Fresno Ice Fishing Derby is set for this weekend. This event is put on by the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce’s Agriculture Committee and will take place Saturday and Sunday at Fresno Reservoir, 14 miles west of Havre.

The cost to participate is $25 per day. Fishing will be held Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Chuck Wimmer, an Ag Committee member, said anyone is welcome to participate as long as they abide by the Montana fishing regulations.

Wimmer said proceeds are used toward a scholarship fund.

“We normally give some type of scholarship to (a Montana State University-Northern) student every year,” he said.

Wimmer added that one does not necessarily have to be involved with competitive fishing in order to qualify for this scholarship.

“We’re looking for the person that is maybe working a job and going to school and they just need some help,” he said.

Darrin Boss, who is also an Ag Committee member, said money will be given to the top three winners each day per fish species for the longest northern pike, longest walleye and longest perch/crappie.

Boss said nine winners will be announced each day, and the prize payout will be determined by the number of participants who are registered each day.

“One person could catch the largest, the second and the third,” he said. “You can be multiple winners multiple times if you’re lucky enough.”

Participants must bring in their fish to The Walleye Tavern by 3:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

Registration forms are available at the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce website, http://www.havremt.com and people can drop them off at the Chamber office. People can also register the day of the event at The Walleye Tavern.

For more information, people can call the Chamber at 265-4383.