After several years of marginal ice fishing, two competitions are scheduled for this weekend in conjunction with the Hart and Pentwater Winterfests.
The Oceana County Farm Bureau’s annual ice fishing tournament is set to run this Saturday, Feb. 7 from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is open to the public, and anglers may fish any lake in Michigan. Registration will be from 6-8 a.m. at the West Michigan Research Station located at 5185 N. Oceana Dr. in Hart. Two-person team registration is $20, and Farm Bureau members can register for free! Weigh-ins will take place beginning at 3 p.m. sharp at the Research Station as well. Cash prizes will be awarded in both the pike and panfish divisions. Food and raffle prizes will be available as well.
Pentwater Winterfest will once again be hosting their Winterfest Perch Derby. Organizer Ryan Williams said that due to ice conditions the derby hasn’t always happened annually, but this year is the 15th year they’ve hosted one. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. and weigh-ins will begin at 4 p.m. at both the Pentwater Convenience Center, 4374 W. Monroe Rd., and Port View, 560 S. Hancock, both in Pentwater.
Adult registration is $10, and adults will compete for cash prizes. Child registration is $5, and winning entrants will be awarded trophies. The five longest perch combined wins the tournament. There will be a $100 bonus prize for the biggest perch caught, as well as plenty of door prizes and a light meal available. “Most people leave with something,” Williams said.
In preparation for Saturday’s event, please take into consideration what the Michigan DNR website says about ice fishing safety. The strongest ice is clear with a “bluish” tint. Williams added, “Three inches of solid, clear, black ice is considered to be safe, and will hold a full-grown adult.”
The weakest ice is ice formed by melted and refrozen snow and appears “milky” in color. The DNR recommends fishermen stay off ice with slush on top. Slush ice is only half as strong as clear ice and indicates the ice is not freezing from the bottom. Be aware of underlying water currents and possible bubblers or de-icer mechanisms near one's fishing location. Because snow can insulate ice below and keep it from freezing, ice covered by snow should always be considered unsafe. Take proper precautions.
To make sure everyone comes back safe and dry, ice fishermen are advised to take all necessary precautions, including being prepared for the worst-case scenario. Besides regular ice fishing paraphernalia, pack an ice pick, life jacket and some form of two-way communication. If one should fall through the ice, remain calm, turn in the water toward the direction you came from, this is most likely the strongest ice. Use ice picks and kick vigorously to pull yourself back onto the ice, slide forward on your stomach and roll away from the area of weak ice, call 911 immediately. Please visit https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/e... for more information.
Above all, have fun and good luck this weekend!
