Annual Ben Kerndt Memorial Ice Fishing Tournament transitioned to open water/bow fishing tournament this weekend due to warm winter weather
Ben Kerndt ... Submitted photo.
The 3rd Annual Ben Kerndt Memorial Fishing Tournament will be taking to the open water this weekend after the tournament’s traditional ice fishing format was not possible this past winter due to unfavorable ice conditions in February. All proceeds from the tournament benefit the Lansing Fire Department.
This year’s tournament is scheduled to be an open water and bow fishing tournament. Bow fishing can begin Friday night, May 17, and the open water tournament begins at daybreak Saturday, May 18, with all fishing done on Pool 9 of the Mississippi River. Weigh-in will take place from 2-2:45 p.m. at the Lansing Fire Station at 51 North Front Street in Lansing with awards to follow.
Pre-registration for the event must be completed by 5 p.m. this Friday, May 17 and can take place at River-N-Ridge Outdoors in Lansing or at Sportsmen’s Unlimited in Waukon. Award categories for this year’s tournament include bluegill, crappie, perch and northern pike to be paid out to the top-three placewinners, along with walleye, carp and gar, which will be paid out to the top-two placewinners. All those weighing in fish will also be eligible for a special door prize drawing, with other door prizes to also be given away.
A series of raffle prizes will include pontoon rentals, a gas weed trimmer, gift certificates, coolers and other hunting and camping equipment for the general raffle. A special raffle will also include prizes of an ice auger and a three-person fishing tent. There will also be a special auction for a pair of four-person bow fishing trips guided by Dustin Moody and Leigh Ruff, as well as a load of gravel from Bruening Rock Products. Additional information can be found on the Ben Kerndt Memorial Ice Fishing Tournament Facebook page.
