Gogebic Lodge hosts ice fishing derby

By TOM STANKARD

[email protected]

Marenisco - With the sun shining over Lake Gogebic, more than 100 local and visiting ice fishing enthusiasts came to the Gogebic Lodge Saturday to compete in the 33rd annual ice fishing derby.

Scattered across the entire lake this year, ice fishing enthusiasts carved a whole in the ice with their augers and began a day's worth of fishing. In years past, Don Bergquist, event coordinator, said participants were restricted to a confined area, but because of the increase in participants, they've had to expand.

Sitting in his chair, Joe Hill, of Wakefield, was fishing with his family.

He said fishing was slow, having not caught a fish halfway through the tournament, but was enjoying himself because of the "beautiful weather."

Across the lake, Lee Stewart, of Kalamazoo, was having "fun" fishing with his friends.

He said he had caught a Northern towards the beginning of the tournament, but it wasn't a "keeper."

Stewart said he likes to fish because he looks forward to meeting new people at each tournament he competes in.

He said this was his fourth consecutive year competing in the derby and plans on competing next year.

Looking into his fishing hole, Patrick Hokans, 8, of Wakefield, reeled in his line because he felt a nibble, but the fish got away.

Inside the lodge, people socialized and ate complementary chili or soup. For desert, Skylar Fields, a Girl Scout, sold cookies to the tournament participants.

Since the derby started in 1983, Bergquist said the popular ice fishing event has grown over the years.

"This is the largest turnout so far, we had a 167 people participate," he said.

Fish entries were divided into four categories - Northern, Walleye, Perch and Crappie.

With a 27-inch inch Walleye, Kevin Poissant took fist place. David Lilly took second place with a 24-inch Walleye. Daniez Tice placed third with a 19-inch Walleye.

In the Northern category, Todd Hill reeled in a 43-inch fish for first place. Jazon Estrada placed second with a 32-inch fish. Criag Flower took third place with a 27-inch Northern.

Dawn Horarek caught a 14.5-inch Perch and placed first. Paul Jurakoich placed second with a 14.19-inch Perch, and Brenda Fletcher took third place with a 13-inch fish.

There were no Crappies entered.