Fresno fishing derby starts Jan. 24

Havre Area Chamber of Commerce

Registrations are being taken for the Fresno Ice Fishing Derby to be held at Fresno Reservoir, a walleye hotspot just 12 miles west of Havre, Jan. 24 and 25.

The Havre Chamber Ag Committee’s fishing derby is designed to let participants win cash and at the same time protect the fishery, raise scholarship funds for Montana State University-Northern and have fun.

Entry fee is $25 per day per contestant or $50 or two days. Spear fishing will be permitted. Registration deadline is Jan. 23. Contestants need to register prior to the Ice Derby.

Fishing starts each day at 7 a.m. Participants will be able to fish on Saturday until 3 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

The daily prize payout will be determined by the number of fishermen that are registered each day. To be eligible for daily prizes all fish must be measured by 3:30 p.m. on Saturday if participants are fishing just one day and will need to be measured by 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Fishermen will be required to remove all lines at the end of each fishing day.

Eligible fish include Northern Pike, Walleye and Perch/Croppy (Perch and Croppy will be combined), will be the only fish that will be measured. People will need to have fish measured by within one-half hour of the ending time for each day. The weigh-in is located at the Walleye Tavern for both days.

Participants must abide by Montana fishing regulations and have a valid Montana fishing license. Youths 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult licensed participant.

Complete rules and an entry form are available at the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce, Stockman Bank in Havre or on the Internet a http://www.havremt.com under the Calendar/Events listing. Or call the Chamber at 265-4383 and and the Chamber will fax or mail out an application and a copy of the rules.

Application forms can be returned when completed with payment to the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 308, Havre, MT 59501. Deadline to enter the Big Money Fishing Derby is Jan. 23. Money orders or checks should be made out to the Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee.

Refunds will be given only if the event is not held due to ice conditions.