Pierre, South Dakota Winter Ice Fishing Tournament is One of a Kind

PIERRE, South Dakota – Recreational variety and creative planning are shaping a unique event to be held next February in central South Dakota. The first-ever Winter Fishing Weekend (WFW) is scheduled for the weekend of February 4-5, 2011, presented by the Sports Committee of the Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce

The main event of WFW is the one-of-a-kind fishing tournament. Two-person teams will have their choice of fishing through the ice on the Missouri River/Lake Oahe, fishing at certain public stock dams, fishing from shore or fishing from a boat in open water on Lake Sharpe. Tournament coordinator Jason Gilk said that’s because central South Dakota offers a variety of winter fishing.

“We want to showcase the variety of winter fishing opportunities,” Gilk said. “Lake Oahe offers great ice fishing; Lake Sharpe below the power house has open water; and the Fort Pierre National Grasslands have some of the best public stock dam fishing around. This event allows the teams to choose where and how they want to fish for the tournament.”

That also means anglers can choose what kind of fish they want to go after during WFW. Gilk said the tournament committee expects to see walleye, northern, bass, crappie, bluegill and perch at the tournament weigh-in.

To date, nearly two dozen sponsors have contributed more than $50,000 in cash or prizes for the event. “Many of the local businesses we approached were excited about this unique winter event,” said Gilk. “We are extremely grateful for their support because without them, the bait bucket is empty.” He stated the major sponsor for WFW, Lynn’s Dakotamart, is contributing a big number of prizes, ranging from ice fishing equipment to outdoor clothing and gear.

And don’t think you have to weigh in a lot of fish to win great prizes, either. Gilk pointed out that every person who enters the WFW event is automatically entered into the WFW prize drawings, regardless of whether or not any fish are weighed in by the angler. “That’s a cool feature of the WFW,” said Gilk. “You could get skunked and not catch a single fish yet still go home with a really nice prize.” He said the prize list includes four-wheel ATV’s, ice augers, ice shacks, underwater cameras, fish locaters and clothing along with lots of other outdoor gear.

There is a $100 entry fee per team with the field capped at 300 teams. Registration information and online entry forms will be available starting September 1, 2010. The tournament website will be www.pierrewfw.com and will provide information about the event, including online registration.

The first-ever WFW event will also feature vendor displays at the Ramkota Hotel in Pierre. Gilk noted the tournament committee is also hoping to offer some informational fishing seminars as part of the weekend schedule. “The WFW will be a great way for a lot of people to bust the mid-winter blues,” he said. “There will be display booths set up at the Ramkota, products for sale and hopefully some fishing tips. We want to make this a fun, family event for years to come.”

Go to Pierre, SD Winter Fishing Weekend for more information




WFW MAJOR SPONSOR
Lynn’s Dakotamart

WFW SPONSORS
Petersen Motors PryntComm Dakota Motorsports
BestWestern Ramkota Hotel Capital Motors The Lodge
Running’s Farm & Fleet Shel’s Quick Stop Eagle Sales
Prairie Heritage Homes BankWest BPro Inc.
Dakota Radio Group Riverfront Broadcasting Acme Spray Foam
Down’s Marina Spring Creek Resort/Marina Jerome Beverage Inc.
Soccer Athlete Arneson Taxidermy


CONTACTS:
Lois Ries
PierreArea Chamber of Commerce
(605) 224-7361

Jason Gilk
Tournament Coordinator