Have you ever been ice fishing? Or maybe just been out on the ice where someone is fishing and watched what they do? If you have a chance to either be in an ice fishing contest, or go to one to see what fun people have and the camaraderie and joking that goes on, be sure to attend. Oh yes, dress warm and wear very good boots. Most contests not only have wonderful prizes for those people fishing but sell raffle tickets for great prizes. So, even if you are not fishing, you can win a great prize and support whatever the cause of the day is being promoted. Warm food, hot and cold beverages are also normally available on the ice. The photos below are from an ice fishing contest held in a past January and it was a beautiful sunny day, cold but not dreadful, and, as you can see, sunny. Quite a few pan fish and game fish were caught. The scene is very typical of many contests. There were also two fairly large white tents where people could get hot beverages. And yes, the inevitable "Porta Potties".
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Number of entrants is limited and ice holes are drilled by organizers of the event.
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In this contest, choice of hole was based on first come, first served on & after the designated start time.
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Note what appears to be a heater - nice!
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Hot dogs sold here - warm inside but you eat outside.
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This seems nice - his own chair away from the crowd.
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Some standing, sitting in chairs, or sitting on pails.
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Standing allows from moving and stomping - gets the blood flowing which is suppose to keep you warmer.
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Some prefer just to quietly fish and concentrate.
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Watching for "Fish On!!"
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Tip-Up Flag comes up when fish on so you can be a short distance away and come running when flag goes up.
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Not sure if bobber releases if fish on or if no one fishing.
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Going to weigh his pan fish.
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She caught a pan fish and thumbs up!
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Hey - it is not tiny - so cute and it may be a winner!
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Weigh in station. Early in the day as there are no statistics on the white board.
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One of the game fish caught that day. Actually quite a few fish caught that day so lots of folks had a great time.
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