Duluth’s Big Jig Ice Fishing Contest – 2/8/09

Contest flyer can be found HERE

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Outlook good for Big Jig
Weather and ice conditions are expected to be fine for Sunday’s Big Jig Fishing Contest on Pike Lake. Last year’s Big Jig was canceled because of extreme cold and wind.
Bob Nielson is breathing easy.
The weather forecast for Sunday’s Big Jig Fishing Contest on Pike Lake calls for a high in the mid-20s with partly cloudy skies.
Nielson is athletic director and head football coach at the University of Minnesota Duluth, and the Big Jig is the largest single-day fundraising event for the school each year.
Last year’s Big Jig had to be canceled at the last minute due to extreme cold and wind, although all prizes were awarded to those who had pre-registered for the contest.
About 1,500 anglers usually turn out for the event.
“The excitement of having a better day for our event is something we’re all looking forward to,” Nielson said.
Fishing action will begin at noon on Sunday, and the contest runs to 3 p.m. Anglers can walk onto the ice at 10 a.m. to select a predrilled hole.
Slush problems on Pike Lake earlier in the winter seem to have settled down a bit, said Scott VanValkenburg of Fisherman’s Corner. Nielson said no slush was found when UMD crews went out to the lake this week to plow areas for tents.
The Big Jig typically raises about $50,000 per year for UMD. All of the proceeds go to scholarships for UMD student-athletes.
Entry tickets, $35 in advance, are available at Chalstrom’s Bait and Tackle, Cub Foods, Fisherman’s Corner, Gander Mountain and Marine General Supply. At the event, tickets are $40.
More than $60,000 in prizes will be given away. First prize for the largest fish is a Scion XD car. Large prizes also will be given for second, third, 50th and 100th places.
“Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good,” Nielson said.
Professional anglers Scott and Marty Glorvigen of Grand Rapids will be on hand to greet anglers.

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2009 Big Jig Results
Approximately 1,200 anglers participated in the 9th annual Big Jig Ice Fishing Contest and Festival at Pike Lake on Sunday.

Jesse Lamere landed the biggest fish, a 3.53- pound sucker, and won a 2008 Scion XB. Andrea Trainer finished second with a 3.115- pound walleye and won a three-day Houseboat trip from Voyagaire Houseboats. Belinda Haedrich received $1,000 cash for coming in with the 100th largest catch (a .145-pound perch) while Josh Person’s catch (a .175-pound perch) came in at No. 50, earning him a 2009 Yamaha Grizzly 350 4×4.

Over $60,000 in prizes was awarded for the top 100 fish. Proceeds from the tournament will help to support the University of Minnesota Duluth athletic scholarship fund.

2009 BIG JIG PRIZE 10 TOP FINISHERS
Finish | Name | Fish (weight)
1. | Jesse Lamere | Sucker (3.535)
2. | Andrea Trainer | Walleye (3.115)
3. | Amber Boldrey | Sucker (2.055
4. | Joel Hesch | Sucker (2.010)
5. | Kim Gerard | Sucker (1.815)
6. | Ron Prestidge | Sucker (1.705)
7. | Tom Lennon | Crappie (1.425)
8. | Andy Hopko | Sucker (1.285)
9. | Brady Sickler | Crappie (1.065}
10. | Dave Sowers | Crappie (1.060)

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