Event to feature fishing, food, games on local lake

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

Do you like to go ice fishing? Perhaps you like to just be outside on a nice Minnesota winter day? Are you looking for a fun way to help a local organization give back to the community? 

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, the Henning Rod and Gun Club has just the ticket for you as they gear up for the annual ice fishing derby on Middle Leaf Lake on Saturday. 

Held on the east end of the lake, ice fishing will take place from 12-3 p.m. and feature hundreds of prizes, food, a bon fire and plenty of activities for young and old. There may be time for a few people to even drop a line through the ice in order to try and catch a few fish as well. 

Unlike many fishing tournaments, the Henning Rod and Gun Club will allow permanent and portable fish houses on the ice that can provide some shelter and heat for those looking to warm up throughout the conest. 

The ice fishing derby, which has just as much of a focus on entertainment than actual fishing, is sponsored by the Henning Rod and Gun Club. The event is the largest fundraiser of the year for the local club, which sponsors a number of community activities like the trap team. 

One of the real highlights from the event is the endless amount of prizes that will be available as part of the raffle. Trhoughout the afternoon there will be a steady stream of prizes given away for the entirety of the event. In year’s past the club has given away at least one raffle prize every minute for nearly three hours. 

The cost to enter is just a $5 raffle ticket, which can be purchased at a number of local businesses, as well as the east end of Middle Leaf Lake on the day of the ice fishing derby.

With temperatures predicted to be a bit above average than normal, event organizers are hoping for a good turn out for the event after last year’s ice fishing derby had bitterly cold temperatures for those who attended the event. 

Cash prizes will be given away for the largest northern, walleye, bass and panfish, and the top prizes for the raffle will be a  Mossberg Patriot W/ Scope 300 Win Mag, Stoeger 12 Ga. Semi Automatic shotgun and a GX4 9MM Handgun w/5 mags, hard case and backstrap.