Fresno Chapter of Walleyes Unlimited set annual banquet

Press release

New surprises are surfacing along with the Fresno Chapter of Walleyes Unlimited’s favorite games, raffles and drawings, which will again award hundreds of sponsored prizes worth thousands of dollars during the group’s annual walleye banquet docking at the Havre Ice Dome April 16.

The smoke-free banquet features all-you-can-eat secret batter walleye, baron of beef and all the baits to ready people for an evening of winning entertainment as guests game for big screen TVs, patio furniture, barbecue grills, home furnishings, guns, fine jewelry, artwork and other items.

“There are always so many donated prizes, from guns to trips, jewelry to home furnishings, that could go home with you. They are going home with somebody,” said Fresno Walleyes chapter President Steve Chvilicek.

April 16 will be the first drawing for the Fresno Chapter’s annual 30 Gun Raffle. The first gun will be given away the night of the banquet and then one per day for the next 29 days.

Only 500 tickets will be sold.

“Don’t get shut out,” Chvilicek said.

Banquet tickets went on sale in February and, along with raffle tickets, are available in Havre through Havre Rental, 265-8841; Bing ’N’ Bob’s Sports Shop, 265-6124; and E-Fish-Hunt Sports/Stromberg’s Sinclair, 265-3441; at The Walleye Tavern located on U.S. Highway 2 by Fresno Reservoir; and in Big Sandy from Ezzies Conoco, 378-2101.

Funds raised from the annual banquet support the chapter’s numerous improvement projects throughout the year that include projects at Fresno Reservoir, Lower Beaver Creek Reservoir, improvements at Baileys Reservoir, and a webcam at Fresno Reservoir.

“Our cause is your cause: better fishing and greater recreational opportunities,” Chvilicek said. “Money raised at our banquet is spent locally to enhance recreation and warm water fishing in northern Montana for residents and visitors alike. Thanks to the past support of so many, we have been able to build and maintain a number of amenities at Fresno Reservoir like the campground, pavilion, boat ramps and picnic tables, which are open to the public free of charge. Thanks to those who support and attend our annual banquet we are able to give college scholarships, treat area fifth- and sixth-graders to our annual Kids Education Day — complete with boat rides, new fishing poles and lunch, and host our annual Youth Fishing Day at Fresno with lunch and prizes. We have been able to provide financial support to the St. Mary’s Working Group, pay for garbage services at Lower Beaver Creek Reservoir and Fresno Reservoir, and host the Fresno Challenge fishing tournament in summer. We are able to maintain and upgrade the best web cam in the state of Montana at Fresno.”

The web cam can be seen at http://www.fresnowalleyes.com.

Along with all the projects noted above the chapter provides new rods and reels to every child who attended the Kids Education Day and Kids Fun Fishing Day.

“Last year, we gave away over 340 rods and reels … and we expect to do the same this year,” Chvilicek said. “We want to thank BNSF, NorthWestern Energy and Walmart as they have been major supporters of the Kids Education Day. Getting kids hooked on fishing and the outdoors is our main goal.”  

With continued support from the general public and business donors, the Fresno Chapter of Walleyes Unlimited has been one of the most successful service clubs in the state.

“We just can’t thank these people enough,” Chvilicek said.

The Fresno Chapter of Walleyes Unlimited is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, making all donations tax deductible. Donations can be mailed to Fresno Walleyes at P.O. Box 1501, Havre, MT 59501.

The 33rd Annual Fresno Walleyes Banquet doors will open at 5 p.m. with happy hour and early bird door prize drawings called every 15 minutes. The silent and live auctions, bingo and visiting with the friendliest freshwater fishing enthusiasts around reel guests in from all over the state, year after year.

The Havre Ice Dome is located just south of Havre at 2585 5th Ave. SE. For more information call, Steve Chvilicek at 262-3199 or Craig Buettner at 265-4517.

2016 Calendar Fresno Chapter of Walleyes Unlimited

• Saturday, April 16: Fresno Banquet, Havre Ice Dome

• Friday, May 13: Fresno Kids’ Education Day, Fresno Reservoir and Pavilion

• Saturday, May 14: Fresno Kids’ Fun Fishing Day, Fresno Reservoir and Pavilion

• Friday, May 20: Fresno Challenge rules meeting and Fresno Pavilion.

• Saturday and Sunday, May 21 and 22: Fresno Challenge, tournament headquarters at the pavilion