The 39th annual Smith Lake Ice Fishing Derby held on Saturday, January 2 attracted a large crowd of about 300 anglers ranging from 1-80 years old. The event is put on by the Sunriser Lions Club as a public service to the community and as a way to make a modest amount of money to donate to family fishing pond programs. The Lions operated a food stand offering hamburgers, chili, and other items.
“This is a great family event,” said Warren Illi of the Sunriser Lions Club. “The weather cooperated and lots of people turned out to help.”
More than a foot of ice on the lake provided a safe event for all participants. Dozens of ice fishing shelters dotted the lake surface, reflecting the strong turnout. Anglers landed hundreds of pike and dozens of perch on jigs tipped with maggots or smelt. Some pike were caught on tip-ups.
Illi manned the weigh-in table set up for anglers to check in their catch in hopes of winning a prize. Winners included:
Largest Pike: Sam Naldrett, 3.88 pounds;
Smallest Pike: Les Fenster, 0.13 pounds;
Largest Perch: Jackie Hagadone, 1.19 pounds;
Smallest Perch: Zack Ginnaty, 0.11 pounds.
The largest fish caught turned out to be a sucker, caught by youth angler Marc James. The sucker weighed 4.2 pounds.
The Sportsman and Ski Haus of Kalispell provided prizes, maggots, and handwarmers. Walleyes Unlimited provided 75 fishing rod-and-reel combinations for kids and for those who needed a rod. Flathead Wildlife, Inc., the local conservation club, offered a grand prize for the largest pike of a $50 gift certificate to the Sportsman Ski Haus.