Sleepy Eye Sportsmen’s Club officers Lynn Krenz, left; and Larry Helget stand next to the Ice Castle Fish House to be given away at the 41st Annual Sleepy Eye Ice Fishing Derby Sunday, Feb. 5 at Sleepy Eye Lake.

SLEEPY EYE — Thanks to the recent cold weather, there’s much thicker ice on Sleepy Eye Lake for the 41st Annual Ice Fishing Derby that begins at noon, Sunday, Feb. 5.

“Lake ice conditions are much improved. Lake ice is 18 to 20 inches, the best its been all winter. We expect Sunday temperatures around 30 degrees,” said Sleepy Eye Sportsmen’s Club officer Lynn Krenz.

“Fishermen are invited to put their fish houses on the the lake this week,” Krenz added. “Just stay away from the operating aeration system on the lake. Getting around the lake seems to be very good. Bring the kids and family.”

Krenz added that roads have been plowed on the lake, thanks to lots of volunteer help.

Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. Adult fish contest fee is $5 which gets participants into 21 drawings. Additional drawing tickets including those for an Ice Castle Fish House, valued at $20,000 and a Can Am ATV-4wheeler valued at $7,300 plus $500 and $250 cash prizes are available while they last at Expressway station-convenience store in Sleepy Eye.

All children fish free and will receive a gift.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fishing regulations must be followed.

Fishing contest categories include northerns, bass, walleyes, perch, sunfish and crappies.

Sleepy Eye Sportsmen’s Club members will be available to transport people, fish houses and equipment to the lake and off the lake, if needed.

Parking will be available at Sportsmen’s Park, Zinniel Tree Service and Lakeside Auto Body.

Food and refreshments will be available on the lake. Proceeds go to local park projects and various organizations.

Participants are invited to listen to 89.1 FM and visit the Sportsmen’s Club on Facebook. Raffles with hundreds of prizes take place all afternoon during the contest.