Shawano Lake crowd hooked on ice fishing

Savannah Micke has been ice fishing with her father, Scott, since she was old enough to hold a fishing pole.

This time, the father and daughter team was in it to win it.

They joined dozens of other fishing enthusiasts Saturday on Shawano Lake to compete for prizes — and bragging rights — in the annual ice fishing derby hosted by American Legion Post 117.

The prizes made it extra interesting, but Micke said she mostly enjoys bonding with her father and trying to to reel in a big one.

“It’s kind of just fun to have a big fish — and show it off,” she said.

American Legion members have been organizing the yearly fishing derby for many years as a popular community event to raise funds for student scholarships and other Post 117 activities.

The weather has not always cooperated.

Kevin Barkow, vice commander of the post, said poor weather conditions last year hurt attendance, but the crowds this year turned out in much higher numbers. By mid-afternoon, at least 500 raffle tickets had been sold, and the lake was covered with ice shanties.

“For what we have, we’re pretty happy,” Barkow said. “People seem willing to help out when they know it’s a veterans organization.”

The event was based at the Bamboo Bar, W5884 Cedar Court, where organizers measured walleye, bass, perch and other catches that contestants reeled in from beneath the ice. In each category, cash prizes ranged from $25 for first place to $10 for third place.

There also was a raffle drawing with a grand prize of $200.

Page Nelson, of Green Bay, turned out with a friend, Kevin Carlsen, for his first-ever experience with ice fishing. Nelson said he was looking for a new hobby and got curious about the winter outdoor activity that is so popular in Wisconsin.

After a couple of hours on the ice, Nelson still had not caught anything, but he was hooked.

“It’s a good time, actually,” he said. “It’s fun, and it’s relaxing.”