There are many ways to enjoy ice fishing, but none better than fishing with your children as demonstrated by this mother and her child. Lots of moms and dads and children will be fishing for prizes and fun on March 3 on Gunflint Lake during the annual trout derby sponsored by the Cook County Snowmobile Club.
One event winter enthusiasts look forward to each year is the Trout Derby. With a long-storied past, the derby is a time for the community to gather on the ice for laughs and fun and hopefully, to catch a fish or two.
This year the vaunted fishing contest will be held Sunday, March 3 on Gunflint Lake. Registration is 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and the cost is $10 for Cook County RidgeRiders Snowmobile Club members and $20 for non-members.
All fish must be weighed by 2 p.m.
The Grand Marais Lions Club held the first trout derby in 1957. By 1962 as many as 4,000 people attended the event that was also held on Gunflint Lake. Throughout the years the derby was held on a variety of lakes, including Greenwood and Clearwater lakes.
The 1962 derby was held March 11 but was shortened due to flooding on the lake. Local TV news stars Marsh Nelson and Bill Krueger were supposed to attend but couldn’t make it.
That year 30 fish were caught and the big winner was Mrs. Clyde Wishcop, who took home a 19-inch TV with her catch of a 4-lb 10-oz lake trout. Her son, Steve, also caught a nice laker and took home a 30-30 Marlin rifle for placing third overall.
The Lions Club organized trout derbies into the 1980s but quit because of rising insurance costs and declining membership. After a lengthy stoppage, the Cook County snowmobile club restarted the fishing contest as a way to provide family fun and to raise funds for trail maintenance and grooming equipment, said Shele Toftey, one of the group’s main organizers.
While everyone won’t catch fish, there will be fish burgers, hot dogs, brats, and burgers and there will be a piñata for kids and a raffle and other prizes for contestants. First prize for the biggest fish is $500.
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