Sunday, February 4, 2007, was one of the coldest days on record in four years but that didn't stop 175 hardy anglers from enjoying the fishing contest on Lake Francis. The 2007 ice fishing season seemed doomed by open lakes, unseasonably warm temperatures and a winter that almost wasn't. But a stretch of below zero temperatures came just in time to create perfect ice conditions for the annual event.

Fishing prize winners included (left to right above): Peter Wolff, Scott Roemhildt, Nick Brotstad and Dave Tupy.

All prize winning fish were northerns. Peter Wolff won first prize of $100 for his fish weighing 2 pounds 1 1/4 ounces. Scott Roemhildt claimed the second prize of $50 for his fish, a 1 pound 10 1/4 ouncer. Nick Brotstad brought in a 1 pound 5 1/4 ounce fish for the $25 third prize and Dave Tupy took fourth prize of $10 with his 1 pound, 5 ounce catch.

A highlight of the annual event is the raffle drawing. This year, Kristi Lambracht won first prize of $1,000. Jim Roemhildt won $500, Mack Evans won $250, Paul Johnson and Gumpy Anderson won $100 each and Emery Haus won $50.

Rick Spitzack took home a portable fish house, Brad Sammon won an 8-inch gas ice auger, and Jim Murphy won an underwater camera.

The Lake Francis Ice Fishing Contest is sponsored by the American Legion Post #311, Auxiliary, and Sons of the American Legion. Local businesses provide hundreds of merchandise prizes, The Pit Stop provides bait, and all anglers receive a cup of Elysian's famous Hunter's Stew.

 

(Event photos by Jay Schneider)