Are you into ice fishing? Do you have a competitive edge? Then consider fishing one of three ice fishing events happening in North Central Washington this winter.
MOLSON ICE FISHING DERBY – SIDLEY LAKE – January 17 – 8 am to 1 PM
This is an annual event strongly supported by members of this small community just south of the border of Canada. Last year, 200 anglers participated, including 25 youth anglers.
Things kick off at the Molson Grange with a pancake breakfast for $12 from 7 to 10 AM. Sitzmark provides lunch in the grange in the early afternoon. Raffles take place for ice fishing gear and 25 different baskets with donated items and gift certificates.
Prizes for the biggest fish, smallest fish, and for the participant who traveled the furthest are awarded here. The biggest fish is worth $500 cash and a $500 gift card to Country Store. Registration costs $15 for youth up to 12 years of age and $30 for adults. You can also add an extra $20 and win at least $300 for the heaviest weight of up to five rainbow trout. Register online at the Oroville Chamber of Commerce website. www.orovillewachamber.com/events
BONAPARTE ICE FISHING DERBY – BONAPARTE LAKE RESORT – January 24
This is another popular annual derby, and this will be the fourth year the event is being held. Last year, 280 participants and another 120 lookers-on were there. There are three divisions of fish. They include the Adult Biggest Fish and an Adult Multi-species. There is also a category for the biggest fish caught by youth anglers.
There are six species of fish in the lake (tiger trout, rainbows, brook trout, kokanee, lake trout, and smallmouth bass). The angler who weighs the biggest weight of 3 to 6 fish wins. There is a combination of ice fishing gear and cash given to winners. Last year, an ice auger was given to the biggest fish winner, and a one-man ice fishing shelter to the adult multiple species winner. Register through the Bonaparte Lake Resort Facebook page.
In addition to the resort restaurant that will be open, there will also be a number of other vendors on site. Last year, there was one vendor who was grilling up reindeer sausage for customers. There are no cabins available (they sell out a year in advance), but there are potentially some RV spots available.
CATCHING FREEDOM - OPERATION HARDWATER – BONAPARTE LAKE RESORT – January 31
Operation Catching Freedom is a non-profit that gets veterans, active-duty soldiers, and their families out for no-cost fishing trips. This will be an inaugural event and different in that there are no registration fees and no cash prizes awarded for the biggest fish, smallest fish, or any other category.
Tony Warren, the President of Operation Catching Freedom, said that he just wants veterans and the community at large to come out and go fishing.
There is an in-person registration from 8 to 10 AM. Fishing takes place from 8 AM to 2 PM, and raffle prizes will be given away throughout the day. The event is taking place at Bonaparte Lake Resort, and there will be a BBQ for all attending between 11 AM and 1 PM. You can find further details at the Operation Catch Freedom Facebook Page.
HOW TO CATCH THEM
Want some advice on how to catch these fish? Eric Magnuson, a well-known ice fishing angler and pro-staffer for Mack’s Lure, says, “Just like open water fishing, it’s all about forage and matching the hatch.” Magnuson continued saying, “If I notice the fish are after gorging more on bugs, I’ll tie on a 3mm or 4mm tungsten jig and tip it with plastic or a couple of maggots. If I notice they are in more of a minnow feeding pattern, I might up my profile to a Swedish Pimple or Mack’s Sonic Baitfish spoon.”
And if that does not work, you can always tip a jig with a worm or nightcrawler, which will catch about anything. The bottom line is this: whether you just want to fish and have fun, or win cash or prizes, three great opportunities are waiting for you at North Central Washington’s Sidley Lake and Lake Bonaparte this winter.
Editor’s Note: Check out Eric Magnuson’s article on ice fishing for burbot at night on page xxx
John Kruse – www.northwesternoutdoors.com and www.americaoutdoorsradio.com
