Lots of winners at 69th Prairie du Chien Ice Fisheree
There was a big turnout for the 69th Annual Prairie du Chien Ice Fisheree with about 500 anglers participating on Saturday and Sunday. Headquarters for the event was the Crooked Oar Bar and Marina north of Prairie du Chien on County K.
Those attending had a great time and numerous prizes were awarded. Prize winners were as follows:
Walleye-sauger: First, Eddie Ward, 4.348 pounds. Second, Jerry Ward, 3.612. Third, Ron Tammling, 3.318.
Northern pike: First, Tyler Walters, 10.502. Second, Marc Updike, 10.296. Third, Dane Schott, 9.802.
Largemouth and smallmouth bass: First, Trent Heal, 5.704. Second, Chad Schmidtfranz, 4.478. Third, MaCoy Pritchard, 4.002.
Yellow perch: First, David Theine, 1.512. Second, Jake Anderson, 1.314. Third, Bridgett Hoffman, 1.162.
Sunfish: First, Jamey Pedretti, .784. Second, Kevin Tesar, .712. Third, Daniel Cowell, .694.
Crappie: First, Ron Tammling, 1.738. Second, Joe Wielepski, 1.534. Third, Danny Austin, 1.434.
A big highlight of this year’s event was the tagged competition. Six perch were tagged and released in Gremore Lake. John Erb of Waukon, Iowa, caught one the six tagged fish. John’s winning perch was worth $1,200.
Tim Schlein of Monona, Iowa, was the lucky winner of $5,000. Schlein said he purchased one ticket at The Crooked Oar Bar and Marina on Saturday, the day that he also fished in the fisheree. Schlein said the nice windfall will go towards house projects.
There was a fishing contest for children 12 and under as well. The first-place winner in each category received $50 in cash compliments of Frenchtown Sand and Gravel. Second place received a $20 cash prize, and third place winners received a $10 cash prize.
The winners in 12 and Under were as follows:
Northern pike: First, Anthony Petsche, 11.358 pounds. Second, Keith Anderson, 8.734. Third, Jack Draka, 7.9.
Largemouth and smallmouth bass: First, Ben Zurcher, 4.012. Second, Landon Roe, 3.744. Third, Mitch Baker, 3.138.
Yellow perch: First, Cashton Rose, .854. Second, Cullen Dull, .792. Third, Travis Bomkamp, .772.
Sunfish: First, Landon Roe, .520. Second, Rhiannon McGeough, .510. Third, Aston Grahm, .504.
Crappie: First, Brayden Gordon, 1.054. Second, Cullen Dull, .956. Third, Braedon Heal, .940.
Greatly appreciated are all businesses who donated prizes to the fisheree, which was sponsored by the Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of Commerce, Crawford County Tavern League, Cabela’s, The Crooked Oar Bar and Marina, Stark’s Sport Shop, Frenchtown Sand and Gravel and Supreme Graphics.