Attendance declined slightly this year due to slushy ice conditions at the Chetek Fire Department’s 29th annual Adult and Kids Ice Fishing Tournament; however, several quality fish caught highlighted the day as anglers battled for the biggest fish on the Chetek Chain of Lakes Saturday, Jan. 14. Weather conditions started out with temperatures around 19 degrees and remained relatively mild throughout the day. Slush on top of the ice, which was also varying depths throughout the lakes, limited travel mostly to those on foot or people driving ATVs/UTVs or snowmobiles.
The contest was held on all six lakes of the Chetek Chain, and once again, landed on Wisconsin’s annual Free Fishing Weekend.
Fishing prizewinners from the adult divisions were: Ryan Secraw (first-place northern pike, 7.13 lbs.), Mike Quinn (second-place pike, 6.04 lbs.); Caleb Hakseth (first-place walleye, 6.31 lbs.), Dennis Harris (second-place walleye, 5.30 lbs.), Rachel Hughes (third-place walleye, 2.12 lbs.); Forrest Florczak (first-place bass, 3.22 lbs.), Derrick Mack (second-place bass, 3.00 lbs.), Donnie Schuebel (third-place bass, 2.93 lbs.); Jade VanBeek (first-place crappie, 1.26 lbs.), Andy Kellan (second-place crappie, .93 lbs.), Connor Strutz (third-place crappie, .88 lbs.); Tammy Wolk (first-place bluegill, .68 lbs.), Joe Rucinski (second-place bluegill, .66 lbs.), Andy Kellan (third-place bluegill, .62 lbs.); Daniel Miller (first-place perch, .93 lbs.), Ryder Hakseth (second-place perch, .92 lbs.) and Ryder Hakseth (third-place perch, .89 lbs.); Randy Frion (largest rough fish, 1.75 lb. bullhead), Caden Kolinski (second-place rough fish, 0.50 lb. sucker).
Contest winners in the kids division were Everett (first-place northern pike, 7.60 lbs.), Kaden Schultz (second-place pike, 6.26 lbs.), Mason Rucinski (third-place pike, 4.02); Finn Mack (first-place bass, 2.48 lbs.); Keith Hamilton (second-place bass, 1.91 lbs.); Hank Frey (first-place crappie, 1.22 lbs); Josie VanBeek (second-place crappie, .99 lbs.), Wilson Radatz (third-place crappie, .91 lbs.); Keith Hamilton (first-place bluegill, .63 lbs.), Mason Rucinski (second-place bluegill, .61 lbs.); Miles Morehead (third-place bluegill, .61 lbs.) Mason Rucinski (first-place perch, .79 lbs.), Colton Hakseth (second-place perch, .71 lbs.), Asher Brazeau (third-place perch, .71 lbs.). No walleye were caught in the kids division.
This year’s lucky winner of the grand-prize raffle drawing of $5,000 was Dale and Barbara Bigler, of Osseo. Second place of $3,000 went to Jamie Selvig while Brock McIlquham in third place $1,500, and Katie Vian won $500 for fourth place.
Winners of the gun raffles were Chris Harris (Glock G30 .45ACP), Erik Holden (Delton 5.56), Mike Romsos (Ruger AR-556), Matt Otto (Ruger SR 1911 .45), Brian Erickson (Ruger Security 9), Bob (no last name listed) (HI Point 45ACP) and Robb Schuler (HI Point C9 9mm). Other prizewinners included Lois Leis who won the prizes on table No. 1, and Jason Fostvedt won table No. 2.
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