Staff photo by Gage Cureton Winners for the game fish panel of the Sleepy Eye Sportsmen’s Club 37th Annual Fishing Derby pictured left to right: first-place winner Terry Besemer, third-place winner Bristol Nachreiner and second-place winner Jaime Stimpert. (Fourth place winner Carl Hoffman not pictured.)

SLEEPY EYE — Almost 2,500 people trekked across the ice on Sleepy Eye Lake to set up their ice fishing houses Sunday.

The Sleepy Eye Sportsmen’s Club 37th Annual Fishing Derby drew a record number of participants this year, with over 1,000 anglers competing in the contest. Various friends and families also tagged along on the ice as company and support.

“It’s been our best tournament ever for turnout,” the President of Sleepy Eye Sportsmen’s Club Lynn Krenz said. “We’re very pleased.”

An icy February fog crept over the lake helping obscure the 750 ice fishing shacks that stretched from one end of the lake to the other. Later in the day, the fog grew colder, and frost accumulated on trees surrounding the lake.

The cold weather temperatures of last week may have also helped strengthen the ice and ensure no cancellations or dangers would occur.

“The ice is really good,” Krenz said. “Its about 19 to 21 inches thick.”

He said the fish were particularly shy Sunday and weren’t going for the bait. However, he said, with the number of people fishing on the ice, people were bound to catch something.

“I wouldn’t say they’re biting well,” Krenz said. “But there are some biting.”

Krenz said there were rumors floating about the lake that one of the larger game fish was caught using a hot dog as bait. He said, however, that these rumors are typically spread every year.

The ice fishing derby featured cash prizes awarded in two categories – a game fish and pan fish panel.

The game fish panel featured northerns, bass, catfish and walleyes. Krenz said about 25 game fish were registered to be weighed and judged for the contest. The largest of the game fish, a northern weighing seven pounds, seven ounces was caught by Terry Besemer of New Ulm. Besemer won first place and took home the prize of $30 and a trophy.

The pan fish panel contained sun fish, perch, crappies and bluegills. Krenz said about 200 pan fish were caught, with 95 registered for the contest.

In addition to the ice fishing derby, a general raffle, large raffle and the 37th annual ice castle raffle were held.

The general raffle featured an abundance of small prizes, with the large raffle containing prizes such as an electric ice auger, angler kayak and $150 gift card.

However, the highly sought-after prizes were featured in the ice castle raffle. Tenth through seventh prizes were $250, with sixth through second awarding $500. First prize was an Ice Castle fish house with a price tag of $14,000. The first prize winner and new owner of the ice house was Steve Anderson of Winthrop.

Krentz said the Sleepy Eye Sportsmen’s Club is thankful for all the support from area businesses, organizations and event sponsors.

All funds collected from the registration and raffles go towards the conservation of Minnesota lakes and rivers. Funds may also be used to support local clubs and organizations with upcoming projects.

Gage Cureton can be emailed at gcureton@nujournal.com.