Fresno Chapter of Walleyes makes wake-up call

Press release

The Annual Fresno Chapter Walleye’s Unlimited Banquet is returning to Havre Saturday, April 23, at the Ice Dome.

The doors open at 4:30 p.m. with early bird drawings beginning at 5 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. 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, iPads, big screen TVs, barbecue grills, furniture, freezers, jewelry, artwork, woodwork and many other items. This year also features a $4,000 shopping spree to a local business that folks won’t want to miss the opportunity to win.

“The support that the Chapter receives from the local communities and businesses is incredible. We can’t thank them enough. It’s what makes this banquet possible. People are going to walk away with some great prizes,” Fresno Walleyes Chapter President Nate Molstad said.

In addition to all the banquet prizes, April 23 will start the drawing for the Fresno Chapters Annual Gun Raffle. The first drawing will be the night of the banquet and then one per day for the next 29 days. 500 raffle tickets are sold annually beginning in December and are typically sold out by the time the banquet arrives.

Banquet tickets went on sale in February and are available through Bing ’N’ Bob’s, Stromberg’s Sinclair, Fresno Tavern, Ezzies in Big Sandy or by calling Nate Molstad at 406-230-0342. Tickets are also available at the door the night of the banquet until sold out.

Funds raised from the annual banquet support the chapter’s events and projects throughout the year. One of the primary goals of the chapter is to introduce the younger generation to fishing and the outdoors. At the banquet, every child 15 and under will receive a rod and reel. The chapter’s annual kid’s education day which is scheduled for May 13 this year, typically hosts between 300 and 400 area fifth and sixth graders at Fresno Reservoir. The day is complete with boat rides, educational seminars, lunch and free 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.

The chapter is always working on additional events that introduce kids to the outdoors. Previously, the chapter has hosted the Havre High Seniors at the Fresno Pavilion during Senior Week, along with taking local and out-of-state 4-H kids fishing on Fresno.

Molstad estimates the Chapter gives out over 500 fishing poles to kids annually.

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 and giving back to the community that is supporting our cause,” Molstad said.

The chapter has assisted in local projects other than Fresno, such as at Beaver Creek Park, Bailey’s Reservoir and Dry Fork Reservoir, to name a few. The chapter also helps fund three scholarships to students at Montana State University-Northern.

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

The Fresno Chapter of Walleyes Unlimited is a 501C3 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 Fifth Ave. SE.

For more information on the banquet, people can call Molstad at 406-230-0342.