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"Hole Truth About Ice Fishing"
clinic a success at Lake Elmo
Walleyes Forever and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks held their first annual "Hole Truth About Ice Fishing" clinic on Lake Elmo in Billings Heights on Saturday, Feb. 10. The clinic drew a crowd of about 70 ice anglers of all ages to the ice near the north shore of the state park.
There was a bit of a wind, but it was sunny and clear with a high about 30 and the ice about 14-16 inches thick.
Just one fish was caught during the hours of the clinic -- a rainbow trout caught by a Lake Elmo regular who set up next to us. But all kids left the lake with a new rod and reel and a stocked tackle box. Everyone had plenty of cookies to eat and hot chocolate and coffee to drink. And many told WF members that they hoped the clinic returned again next winter. They had a good time.
Special thanks are in order for FWP Game Warden Kevin Holland who delivered an ice safety awareness talk and then stuck around for much of the afternoon visiting with anglers and answering questions. Thanks, too, to FWP's Jenny Pelej who had us well-stocked with fishing gear for kids to use and take home. And, finally, thanks to FWP's Dave Hagengruber who helped make it a free fishing day for anyone who attended, so that young and old could try their hand at ice fishing for the afternoon without having to purchase a fishing license.
Based on the fun the kids were having with their fishing, snowball throwing, snow fort building and hearty appetites, WF plans to partner with FWP again next year for another clinic -- if the winter weather cooperates with safe ice.
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