Annual fishing derby draws big crowd of small fry
Four-year-old Alina Johnson ice fishes at Smith Lake during the Kalispell Sunriser Lions Club's 46th annual ice fishing derby on Saturday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)
Dane Reynolds, a fourth-grader in the Edgerton School Hooked on Fishing Program, caught the largest pike of the day, a 2.84-pounder. (Photo courtesy of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks)
Reece Banner, 4, carries the pike he caught during the during the Kalispell Sunriser Lions Club's 46th annual ice fishing derby on Saturday at Smith Lake. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)
The 45th annual Lions Club Smith Lake Ice Fishing Derby attracted hundreds of anglers on New Year’s Eve despite the chilly winter weather.
According to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, young anglers made up half of the 348 participants at the fishing derby, where more than 100 multicolored fishing tents dotted the frozen lake. Participants landed several hundred small pike, a small number of perch, and one pumpkinseed sunfish on jigs tipped with maggots or smelt.
Event organizer Warren Illi noted that the day started out cold, but the sun shone brightly and provided some warmth for the anglers. The wind was generally calm.
Out of several hundred pike caught during the contest, Edgerton School fourth-grader and Hooked on Fishing student Dane Reynolds reeled in the largest, at 2.84 pounds. Annie Wood pulled up the smallest pike, which weighed 0.41 pounds.
First place for perch fishing went to Willie Weseman’s 1.61-pound fish. Dylon Hoff and Haily Hoff took second and third, respectively, while the smallest perch was caught by Drake Larkey.
The Smith Lake derby is hosted on the last Saturday in December by the Sunriser Lions Club as a public service to the community, and as a fundraiser for family fishing pond programs. The Lions operated a food stand offering hamburgers, hot dogs and other items.
The first 100 youngsters who caught fish received an ice-fishing rod and reel courtesy of Walleyes Unlimited. Sportsman & Ski Haus was a major sponsor, donating hundreds of dollars for prizes as well as bait for the event.
Flathead Wildlife Inc. provided support, and many of their members helped at the event. Along with the two business sponsors, the organization also contributed prizes for the winners.
“This is a great family event,” Illi stated in a press release. “It was great to see so many kids catching fish.”