Fishermen brave warm weather to ice fish at Fresno

Despite the warmer temperatures for this time of year, 25 ice fishermen participated in the third annual Havre Area Chamber of Commerce ice fishing tournament Saturday at Fresno Reservoir.

"The tournament went great," Chamber Executive Director Julea Robbins said. "We had a good turnout for fishermen and sold lots of raffle tickets."

She said Paul Sura of Big Sandy won the perch category; Tate Thorson, hometown not available, won the northern pike category, the crappie category and the big fish pot; Dennis Hanson of Chester won first place in walleye, and Matt Wertheimer of Havre took second in walleye.

"We will be giving (away) two $500 scholarships to Leadership High School kids," Robbins added.

Brian Olson of Havre was one of six judges at the tournament and said the tournament "brings people together for an enjoyable day and provides economic benefits to our community."

He added that he is an ice fisherman, as well, and has been doing it for 60-plus years.

"I love ice fishing; it's relaxing," Olson said. "I enjoy catch(ing) and releasing whatever I don't want to eat and I enjoy the challenge of figuring the bite out and fish movements."

Ryan Welch of Havre was also a judge at this year's event. 

"This is my second year judging it," he said. "It's a good chance to help the Walleye club and the Chamber of Commerce."

He said, laughing, the reason he doesn't participate is that he couldn't do both as he would judge his own fish and win every year.

Sura said he has been ice fishing for about 30 years now.

"I like the challenge of it because you're not in a boat, and you have to fish good enough in one area," he said.

He added that he has participated not only in the Chamber's ice fishing tournaments, but also in others.

"When the lake freezes over, it's good enough to fish," Sura said.