Menahga derby draws families to Spirit Lake

Hans and Janelle Josephson brought their children out for a morning of ice fishing at the Menahga Family Fishing Derby. From left are Hans, Kirby, Anna, Bridget, Janelle holding Kaarina, Kaisa and Keegan.

By Shannon Geisen

January 29, 2020 09:23 AM

Over 70 fish were caught at Saturday’s Menahga Family Fishing Derby.

Sponsored by the Menahga Civic and Commerce Association, the family-friendly contest ran from 10 a.m. to noon at the Spirit Lake public access. With temperatures in the 30s, anglers of all ages said it was simply nice to be outdoors.

012920.N.PRE.MenahgaDerbyOwenWagner.jpg — Owen Wagner caught this bass and a bluegill at the fishing derby.

In addition to $15,000 in raffle prizes, the Menahga C&C handed out a door prize every minute. Gail Skaro of Menahga won the grand prize, an Ice Castle Fish House. Other winners were Duane Hillukka, $100 Shell Station gift card; Connie Wadman, Menahga, $50 Cottage House Cafe gift card; Randy Burkman, Winthrop, MN, $50 Lake Country Foods gft card and Brandon Rousu, Menahga, ION Ice Auger.

012920.N.PRE.MenahgaDerbyMasonSmith.jpg — Mason Smith caught two fish, including this rock bass.

012920.N.PRE.MenahgaDerbyBillGeschwill.jpg

1/2: Bill Geschwill was pleased with the plump bass he caught Saturday.

012920.N.PRE.MenahgaDerbyRachelWeiss.jpg

2/2: Rachel Weiss caught a northern before the noon deadline on Saturday. She attended the derby with her dad.

By Shannon Geisen

Shannon Geisen is editor of the Park Rapids Enterprise.