The Kelly Lake Sportsman’s Club held its annual ice fishing derby Jan. 10 at Kelly Lake. Fishermen, derby participants and club volunteers braved bone-chilling temperatures to make the derby a success.
It was minus 11 degrees with 20 mph winds when the club volunteers fired up six furnaces to heat the derby tent. By the time the derby was in full swing, the comfort of the heated tent allowed the day’s events to end well.
The cold weather limited fishing, and the fish registrations were down compared to previous years. A 37 1/2-inch northern pike was the largest fish taken.
Top prize winners for fish registration were Lucas Meyer for walleye, Calvin Jones for northern pike, Abbi Hintz for perch, Rebeccah McMahon for bass, Quinn Warner for bluegill, and Gary Janousky for crappie.
The grand prize of a Kubota RTV with Graetz trailer was awarded to Bruce Swenty, of Oconto County. The winning ticket was sold at The Sharper Image Salon at Kelly Lake. The Kubota was purchased from D&B Equipment and the trailer from Graetz Manufacturing. Both local companies provided financial support to help make the grand prize possible.
Nine other prizes, including ice fishing packages, a gun, a crossbow, event tickets, pontoon rental, meat and cash, were awarded on the main derby ticket. Area businesses provided the other prizes.
In the children’s bike raffle, Breanna Koslowsky won the girl’s bike, and Jace Milakovich won the boy’s bike. Bikes were donated by The Sharper Image Salon, Jamie Campbell and Richard and Janet Greason.
Profits from the derby are used to improve and sustain the Kelly Lake fishery. The club is committed to fish planting and fish spawning structure improvements in Kelly Lake. It works closely with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Kelly Lake Advancement Association to help ensure a strong and sustained walleye and perch fishery in Kelly Lake.
It also maintains an outreach program, supporting local food pantries, a Wounded Warrior veterans support program, Helping Hands Day for individuals needing special assistance, a spring kids fishing derby, Earth Day road clean-up and two scholarships for graduating students.
In addition, cash donations have been made to the Brazeau Dive Team, Kelly Lake Advancement Association, Take-em Outdoors for kids, Brazeau Community Park improvement, and others. The club installed and maintains a handicapped-accessible dock on Kelly Lake and an adjacent memorial brick walkway and sitting area.
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