18th Annual Ice Fishing Derby This Saturday

The catch of the day is worth $2,000 this weekend.

That's what the winner gets Saturday at the 18th annual Ice Fishing Derby at Dredge Cuts Pond in Fort Peck. Last year David Combs took home the cold hard cash.

The tournament runs from noon to 3 p.m. Registration on site is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., but you can sign up before that by contacting the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture.

Largest fish categories are walleye, trout, northern pike, burbot, bass, yellow perch, carp and sucker.

Winnings and prizes will be awarded at The Gateway Club.

Participants must be at least 18 and have a Montana driver's license in possession. Children can fish with a parent. The entry fee is $50 per hole or $100 for three holes.

Ice Fishing Safety Tips

Ice fishing is a popular outdoor sport in Montana this time of year, but anglers must be aware of conditions that can impact stability of the ice.

These tips come from Montana FWP:

• Before you leave home, tell someone where you plan to fish and when you plan to return.

• Go with a friend and walk apart when going to and from fishing spots in case one of you falls through the ice.

• Wear ice cleats to avoid falls.

• Test ice ahead of you with an ice spud bar.

• Carry a pair of long spikes or commercial ice-fishing picks on a heavy string placed around your neck. If you break through the ice, use the spikes to grip the ice and pull yourself out of the water.

• Carry a rope to throw to someone who falls through the ice.

• Don’t leave children unsupervised on ice.

• Blue ice is usually hard. Watch out for opaque, gray, dark or porous spots in the ice that could be weak, soft areas. Ice also tends to thin more quickly at the shoreline.

• Watch for pressure ridges – areas of open water or thin ice where ice has cracked and heaved.