Before the holes are drilled for thousands of ice fishing enthuiasts to begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, snow must be cleared off the lake in lanes, like streets of a frosty city dedicated to fishing for walleye, perch and northern pike. Last year there was far less snow to move than there is for 2023.
It’s hard to imagine that the single largest event that brings the most people to Devils Lake and the Lake Region happens the last week in January every year. The 39th annual Devils Lake Volunteer Ice Fishing tournament takes place later this week, with activities Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The tournament team consists of four at the top; Devils Lake Fire Chief Nate Bennett, Assistant Fire Chief Cory Meyer, Tee Jay Kurtz and Erik Samuelson who with hundreds of volunteers work nearly year round to pull off this very special event for the community.
Through their efforts the past 38 years Devils Lake has been equipped with some of the finest, most up-to-date fire fighting and life saving equipment imaginable. The entire community owes a debt of thanks to all these firefighters and others who help put on this ice fishing tournament year after year. But Bennett and his crew are not looking for praise, they are looking for help.
“We need volunteers to come and help drill the thousands of holes we need to drill Saturday morning, getting ready for fishing that starts at 1 p.m.” Bennett said. “Come to the KC Hall at 6 a.m. for a hearty breakfast or meet us out on the ice at 7 a.m. with your ice auger. We need all the help we can get.” Meyer added.
Where will they be drilling, fishing?
The site for the tournament is west of Devils Lake on Highway 19 with access to the lake provided by land owned by Joe Kostecki, along the first major curve in the highway, approximately five miles west of the city.
By Saturday morning, no doubt, they will have removed snow in parallel lanes to make it easier for fishing folks of all ages and abilities to access the lake. At the site courtesy ATV’s and similar transport vehicles are available to assist anyone who might need some help. Concessions will be provided, too, by groups that benefit youth activities in the Devils Lake area.
Volunteers will be drilling approximately 5,000 holes and hope someone comes to fish in every single one of them. That’s what the assistant Fire Chief says. “Normally we have between 3,500 and 4,000 people here for the fishing, but we hope for it to grow all the time,” Mayer states, adding, “You just never know.”
Benefits to the community
Not only does the Devils Lake community benefit from what the tournament provides for the fire department, but also for having between 3,500 to 5,000 ice fishing constestants staying in motels, eating in restaurants during the week prior to the tourney. Plus, one of the biggest jobs preparing for the Ice Fishing Tournament is purchasing the 165 prizes that are given away during the Saturday night drawing party in the Memorial Building. Bennett said they pay for every single prize they give out, which also benefits the businesses throughout the community and beyond.
Thanks to everyone!
Both Bennett and Meyer emphsize how grateful they are to all the volunteers who help make the event successful. It takes the whole community to put this event together and nearly the whole community participates in one way or another, whether it’s fishing in the tournament, volunteering, buying a ticket or two (that you must have to win the prizes) or attending the many events planned around the tournament, including the big, drawing party Saturday night starting at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Building followed by the Fisherman’s Dance from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. The major sponsors for this year’s tournament are Schwan’s Wholesale and Coors Light, Holiday Station Stores, Butler Machinery, Cedar Inn, Ackerman Acres Resort, Ed’s Bar & Bait Shop, NDTC, Ty’s Lodge, Brown Harvesting, and Good Year Service Tire, Inc..
