by Frank Lee
news@thenewsleaders.com
There was something fishy going on recently at Kraemer Lake in St. Joseph.
More than 550 people participated in the 23rd annual ice-fishing tournament organized by the St. Joseph Rod and Gun Club.
“A lot of folks don’t have the investment of a boat, so with this event, they can go out on the lake and enjoy themselves and enjoy being outside on a beautiful day,” said Curt Gohmann, the rod-and-gun club president.
Organizers saw an increase of about 40 kid contestants in the Feb. 20 tournament compared to last year. Adults paid $15 in advance and $20 on site to enter; children paid $10 each.
“The ice conditions as of last night were 17 inches and very safe,” Gohmann said the day of the tournament. “It’s slushy out there and a little bit slippery because the snow is gone.”
The club membership includes access to Kraemer Lake and offers free bird house-building for children, sends kids to conservation camps and also instructs people about gun safety.
“Any fish you catch you take into the weigh station, and they weigh it,” Gohmann said of the rules. “And then they put the fish back in the lake right away.”
Last year’s tournament winner for the largest game fish and largest panfish included a 4-pound northern pike and an 8-inch crappie, respectively, Gohmann said.
Zack Boganrief of Richmond participated in the club’s ice-fishing tournament for the first time. The ninth-grader from Rocori High School used wax worms.
“I was just sitting at home, and I was like, ‘OK, I have to do something, so why not a tournament?’” Boganrief said as he sat bundled against the cold from head to toe.
The 15-year-old tried his luck with the pre-drilled ice-fishing holes at Kraemer Lake where it was 38 degrees and cloudy.
“I’m hoping to catch a walleye because those are really good to eat,” said Boganrief, who has been ice fishing since he was about 5 years old. “It’s just fun because you can catch stuff, but it’s hit or miss some days. That’s just the sport of it.”
Proceeds from the tournament help the club maintain local bodies of water and protect area resources.
Joann Evens also competed in the tournament. The 53-year-old wife and mother from St. Joseph is a daycare provider and has been ice fishing for about 30 years.
“It’s what Minnesotans do. We fish in the wintertime,” she said of ice fishing while in a folding chair and in high spirits.
Evens belongs to the St. Joseph Rod and Gun Club and has entered the tournament every year. This year’s tournament included more than $3,000 in prizes.
“It’s been absolutely beautiful out here,” Evens said with a laugh. “The fish are just the gravy on the mashed potatoes.”
This year’s tournament winners in the ice fishing contest’s “panfish” category were: Ben Blais, 10-once crappie, $200 first-place finish; Dean Schramel, 9-ounce crappie, $150 second-place finish, and Chad Schreifels, 8-ounce crappie, $100 third-place finish.
“Game fish” category winners were: Gary Bjerkness, 6-pound, 15-ounce northern pike, $200 first-place finish; Nate Chandler, 6-pound, 7-ounce northern pike, $150 second-place finish, and Ben Blais, 1-pound, 2-ounce northern pike, $100 third-place finish.
More than 750 people participated in the 23rd annual ice-fishing tournament held Feb. 20 at Kraemer Lake and organized by the St. Joseph Rod and Gun Club.
Curt Gohmann, president of the St. Joseph Rod and Gun Club, said the ice-fishing contest at Kraemer Lake in St. Joseph saw a 50- percent increase in contestants in the Feb. 20 tournament compared to last year.
Zack Boganrief of Richmond participated in the St. Joseph Rod and Gun Club’s ice-fishing tournament for the first time Feb. 20. The ninth-grader from Rocori High School used wax worms at Kraemer Lake.
Joann Evens is a 53-year-old wife and mother from St. Joseph who belongs to the St. Joseph Rod and Gun Club, which organized the ice-fishing tournament and its more than $3,000 in prizes.
