CHINOOK, Mont. (NMB) – The 3rd Annual Dry Fork Reservoir Ice Fishing Derby will take place this Saturday a few miles north of Chinook.
Organizer Elmer Zarn says conditions should be ideal.
“This year should be as good as it’s gonna get. It’s supposed to be in the mid-40s and hopefully no wind. We have plenty of ice out there. Last person I talked to was out there fishing and said there’s 22-24″ of ice everywhere he drilled a hole. So shouldn’t have any ice problems. And it sounds like the fishing has been pretty good up there.”
Zarn says the event has seen significant growth since its first iteration, and hopes that will continue.
“The first year we had (around 20) fishermen out there. The second year we were in the high 30s to low 40s. So I’m hoping we can end up with about 50 people this year. That’s what our permit is limited to. If we can get 50 people this year, I’m going to do some checking to see what I have to do to increase that number for the permit for next year.”
Cash prizes will be paid for longest walleye, bass, northern pike and perch. A taco soup feed will follow the competition at the Eagles Bar in Chinook.
Event capacity is 50 anglers, and the registration fee is $25.
Pre-registration will take place from 6-8 PM on Friday at the Shanty Bar in Havre and the Eagles Bar in Chinook.
If there are any spots remaining after pre-registration, people can sign up at 7 AM Saturday at Dry Fork Reservoir.
