Fresno Chapter of Walleyes give wake-up call

From Fresno Chapter of Walleyes Unlimited

The Annual Fresno Chapter Walleye’s Unlimited Banquet is back in action Saturday, April 13, at the Havre Ice Dome.

The doors open at 4:30 p.m. with early bird drawings beginning at 5 and dinner at 6:30. The banquet features the Fresno Chapter’s renowned all-you-can-eat walleye, beef and other side dishes to prepare you for an evening of entertainment as guests play games for guns, big screen TVs, iPads, patio furniture, home furniture, barbecue grills, jewelry, artwork, woodwork and many other items.

“The support that the chapter receives from the local communities and businesses is incredible. People are going to walk away with some great prizes,” Fresno Walleyes Chapter President Nate Molstad said.

In addition to all the banquet prizes, drawing for the Fresno Chapters Annual Gun Raffle will resume April 13. The chapter did two early bird gun drawings this year in March. The next drawing will be the night of the banquet and then one per day for the next 29 days. Only 500 tickets are being sold and are selling fast.

Banquet tickets went on sale in February along with gun raffle tickets that are available through Bing ‘N’ Bob’s, 265-6124, and Stromberg’s Sinclair, 265-3441, in Havre or by calling Nate Molstad at 230-0342.

Tickets are also available at the door the night of the banquet.

Funds raised from the annual banquet support the chapter’s events and projects throughout the year.

“If you asked us what our number one goal would be, it would definitely be getting a fishing rod in a kid’s hands and introducing them to the outdoors,” said Molstad.

At the banquet, every child 15 and under will receive a rod and reel. The Chapter’s annual kid’s education day held in May typically hosts between 300 and 400 area fifth- and sixth-graders at Fresno Reservoir, complete with boat rides, educational seminars, lunch and fishing poles for all kids in attendance.

The Chapter also hosts the annual kid’s fishing tournament and the Fresno Walleye Challenge, which are both scheduled in June this year. The Chapter is also hosting the Havre High School seniors at the Fresno Pavilion during Senior Week. They have a day of fishing planned for local 4-H’ers and 4-H’ers from Arizona.

Molstad estimates that the Chapter gives out over 500 fishing poles to children each year.

The proceeds from the banquet also go toward projects to enhance recreation at Fresno Reservoir, including building and maintaining a number of amenities like the campground and pavilion, boat ramps, boat docks and roads.

“We take a lot of pride in keeping the money local,” Molstad said, adding that the Chapter has completed projects at Fresno Reservoir, Beaver Creek and Bailey’s Reservoir to name a few. “We’re always looking for suggestions on projects in the area that we might be able to assist with.”

People can follow the chapter’s events and projects on its facebook page and at its website at http://www.fresnowalleyes.com. The website is also host to a web cam of Fresno Reservoir.

With the tremendous 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 our supporters enough. Everything we do is made possible by their continued support” Molstad 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 Havre Ice Dome is located at 2585 5th Ave. SE. For more information on the banquet please call Nate Molstad at (406) 230-0342.