MON Report
Ice Fishing Contests Set for Pine Lake in LaPorteLaPorte County Convention & Visitors Bureau will host a North American Ice Fishing Circuit (NAIFC) National Championship Qualifier this weekend.
While the competitive portion of the qualifier takes place on Sunday, the NAIFC Qualifier kicks off Friday Night with a seminar at Best Western Plus LaPorte Hotel & Conference Center in LaPorte. The seminar series opens with a 5-7 p.m. with a demonstration of ice fishing basics covering everything from what knot to tie to the use of plastic baits. Then at 7 p.m., the technical/how-to information is taken up a notch by highlighting fishing techniques from across the Ice Belt as well as Aqua Vu underwater camera use and tournament tactics.
NAIFC Pro-staff, Team USA members along with Pro-staff from major manufacturing will be the seminar speakers. The seminars are "Free" to attend and are open to the public with drawings for Quicksilver Lubricants prizes for those in attendance.
On Saturday, local kids will take center stage during the Kids Ice Camp. All area kids and parents are welcome to the Free Kids Ice Camp sponsored by Ice Team and Lucky John Lures. Starting indoors at 1 pm at Cummings Lodge, kids and parents learn about ice safety, bait, electronics, rods and jigging techniques. At 2 p.m. both the kids and parents are invited out onto the ice to experience in person what was demonstrated inside. Every kid in attendance will receive a fishing rod from Lucky John Lures. Quicksilver Lubricants product prizes for adults will also be drawn.
In addition, the 2nd Annual Maple City Ice Fishing Classic for the public will be held Saturday. Registration starts at 5 a.m. CST at Cummings Lodge located on Stone Lake. Once registered, fishermen are free to begin fishing on Pine Lake but must return with their catch by noon CST. Cash prizes will be awarded for 1st place by length in 6 categories: Pike, Bass, Bluegill/Red Ear, Crappie, Perch and Walleye, plus all entries have a chance to win a $300 Bass Pro gift card.
The national tournament takes place Sunday with the weigh-in scheduled for 1 p.m. at Best Western Plus LaPorte Hotel & Conference Center.