Tournament News Powered By Lake Drive Marine
Tuesday, March 03, 2026
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By LOUIE STOUT
Michigan Record Flathead CatfishThe first time Dale Blakley went ice fishing, he wasn’t all that impressed.
“I didn’t catch a thing,” he groaned.
That all changed last Sunday while fishing on Barron Lake near Niles. He not only caught a fish – he caught a state record – and a monster at that.
With the help of fishing buddies Fred Harkrider and Mike and Justin Wagner, Blakley out-dueled a 52-pound flathead catfish after an hour and 15 minute battle through the ice.
The catfish shattered the Michigan record of 49 pounds, 13 ounces set in 2012 on the Maple River. Blakley’s fish measured 46.2 inches long and had a head bigger than a large medicine ball.
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The Bremen Conservation Club will host its 11th Annual Ice Fishing Derby Jan. 25 at Lake of the Woods near Bremen, Ind.
Registration begins at 5 a.m. at the Community Building and fishing will be from 6 a.m. - 3 p.m. Entry fee is $10. If ice conditions are poor, the event will be postponed until Feb. 8.
Cash prizes of $200 for first place to $25 for fifth will be awarded for contestants who catch the “longest” total length of legal fish. Only fish over six inches will be measured. Similar youth prizes for the top three finishes will be awarded. A $25 bonus will be given for the single longest fish measured.
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The St. Joseph River Valley Fly Fishers (SJRVFF) will conduct a seven-week fly tying class beginning Feb. 4.
The Intermediate classes will focus on proper techniques and material handling for flies that work locally as well as elsewhere. Students should have some basic experience in fly tying.
Classes will be held once a week at the Howard Park Senior Center at 604. E. Jefferson, South Bend. Classes are from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The cost for non-members of SJRVFF is $30 and $5 for members. The class is limited to 30 people.
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Eighth Annual Tie-a-thonOn April 12th members of St. Joseph River Valley Fly Fishers, a Federation of Fly Fishers associate club; members of Kalamazoo Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited and many others, will come together to tie flies for three worthy causes. Each cause will use the flies to further their mission of fly fishing to educate and heal in their respective ways.
Here is a look at each of the three causes:
The National Fishing in Schools Program (NFSP) is a 501(c) (3) not-for- profit organization is designed to promote fly fishing and traditional tackle fishing among school kids within Michigan, Indiana and beyond.
The “Fishing in Schools” program accommodates students irrespective of gender, physical ability or natural aptitude. The program’s objective is to teach students in grades 6-12 ‘how to fish’ in school gymnasiums. A core two-week foundation curriculum unit for Physical Education teachers is the norm. It addresses four National Academic Standards (PE, science, language arts & technology.) The complete curriculum meets six. For more information, check out www.flyfishinginschools.org.
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Keith StantonD&R Sports Center is hosting a free, two-day weekend Ice Fishing Show Dec. 7-8 at the Kalamazoo store.
Renowned ice fishing pros will share their experience, tips and tricks for successful ice fishing and more than 25 representatives from the leading ice fishing tackle and equipment companies will display their latest product innovations.
The two-day event is free to the public Saturday from 9-5 and Sunday 10-4.
Keith Stanton, known as the “PikeKilla” and president of Malyn Entertainment, will present his seminar: “Pike Under Ice.” He will demonstrate his PikeKilla™ lure and the vertical jigging techniques he has perfected. He will also share his proven methods for spearing pike and the proper use of pike decoys to attract trophy fish.