Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Crowd packs Wakefield VFW for ice fishing tourney

By RICHARD JENKINS

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Wakefield - The ice shanties were out on Sunday Lake and the Wakefield VFW building was packed Saturday as the Wakefield Volunteer Fire Department held its annual ice fishing tournament.

Organizers were pleased with the turnout for the event, saying the community has continued to support the effort for the 11 years the tournament has been held.

"In 11 years, I haven't seen the VFW this full at 1:30-2 p.m.," said Jim Tarro, a firefighter who is one of the organizers. "Usually 4 p.m. (is when) it gets this full. ... It's a very good turnout."

At least 360 adults and 130 kids registered to participate in the tournament, according to Tarro, with participants not needing to purchase a fishing license as the event took place during Michigan's free fishing weekend.

Locals may have came out for Saturday's tournament, but the fish largely stayed away - with only one fish, an 8 7/8-inch perch, registered with tournament organizers by mid-afternoon.

Along with the fishing, the event offered food and refreshments, face painting, a variety of raffles and lots of door prizes. There were also several ice fishing clinics offered.

Organizers collected $20,000 in goods from the community and local businesses to raffle off and give away during the event, according to Tarro, who said they try to make sure everyone - especially the kids - leaves with some kind of door prizes.

Proceeds from Saturday's tournament go to the fire department.

"The budgets are tight in the city, this helps (the department) out," Tarro said.

In past years, the revenue raised during the event has helped purchase Jaws of Life equipment. This year, according to Tarro, the money will be used to help purchase fire suppression equipment, such as hoses and nozzles.

"There's always something new out there," he said, adding its important to keep the equipment current so the department can continue to serve the city and surrounding area.