Fresno Ice Derby to kick off Jan. 26

The holidays are over and the waters are frozen. That means it's time again for the annual Fresno Ice Derby.

The two-day ice-fishing contest kicks off Saturday, Jan. 26, at 7 a. m., then again at 7 a. m. Sunday, Jan 27.

Every entrant pays $25 per day to fish, if registered before noon Friday, Jan 25, otherwise there is an additional $15 late fee.

When all of the entry fees are collected, about 20 percent goes to a scholarship fund for students pursuing an agriculture-related degree at Montana State University-Northern. And the rest is paid out in prizes to the contestants. The prize amounts are determined by how many people come out to fish.

Chuck Wimmer, the event's organizer, said that last year, the first at Fresno, attracted more than 100 participants.

"Some guys made some pretty decent money, " Wimmer said, "This year we have a lot better ice than we had last year, which is a good thing. It'd be nice to get 150 or 200 people out there. "

Wimmer and other organizer/judges will be set up at The Walleye Tavern on U. S. Highway 2, ready to weigh whatever the contestants catch.

Spear fishing is allowed in the tournament

Anyone interested can pick up a registration form at the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce office on 5th Ave., on their website at http://www.havremt.com, or by fax or mail, if requested by phone at 265-4383.