Catching the big one at Fresno

The fourth annual Fresno Ice Fishing Derby took place this weekend, and more than 100 participants fished on the Fresno Reservoir for a chance to win awards for the longest fish caught.

This event was put on by the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce's Agriculture Committee and took place Saturday and Sunday at Fresno Reservoir, 14 miles west of Havre.

Even though temperatures hit the 50s-range, the waters of the reservoir were iced over and participants were still able to compete in the tournament.

Money was given to the top three winners each day per fish species for the longest northern pike, longest walleye and longest perch/crappie.

Participants hailed from many areas - such as Big Sandy and Great Falls, and as far away as Coos Bay, Oregon.

Darrin Boss, an Ag Committee member, said 119 people registered for the weekend tournament.

"We've had great ice - over two feet of ice," he said.

Boss also said this year's turnout is about 15 to 20 percent more than last year's event, where 86 people registered.

Max Vogel, who is also an Ag Committee member, said that this event gives back to the community.

"(For example,) all of our proceeds indirectly are coming back into the community in the form of a scholarship," he said.

Vogel added that students in the agriculture department at Montana State University-Northern can qualify for these scholarships.

"Our group is promoting agriculture," he said. "(We try to) promote to the community how important agriculture is to our local economy."

To read and see more about the Fresno Ice Fishing Derby, check out the Hi-Line Living section in Friday's issue of the Havre Daily News.