Wakefield fishing contest goes on despite cold weather

WAKEFIELD - Sharp winds and below-zero temperatures didn't deter the crowds at the sixth annual Wakefield Volunteer Fire Department Ice Fishing Contest.

562 people registered for the event, which while down from last year's attendance of 700 to 800 people, was quite good considering the weather.

Mike "Jaws" Yon, the department's chief, was pleased with the turnout.

"The community always treats the fire department great," said Yon. "You take a day that starts out negative 12 degrees and just look at the turnout."

The fishing tournament was broken down into the "northern pike/walleye" division and "perch/panfish" divisions.

Prizes were awarded for first fish caught, smallest fish caught, youngest person to catch a fish and the "Hummo Anderson" award for sixth fish caught (in recognition of the contest's sixth year).

While most attendees stayed in the Wakefield Veterans of Foreign Wars building, those that did venture out onto Sunday Lake found mixed results.

All told, tournament participants caught seven perch and one walleye according to Mike Singleton, who helped organize the event.

The walleye, caught by Aaden Anderson, 10, of Wakefield, measured 15 1/16th inches and was the first walleye caught in the contest's six years.

Eric Heagle landed a 9.5 inch perch to take first in the perch division. Second place went to Kyle Whitburn, who also caught a 9.5 inch perch but caught his after Heagle, thus losing the tiebreaker. Brandon Lyons took third with a 9.25 inch perch and Nicole Lyons rounded out the top four by landing a 9 1/8 inch perch, said Singleton.

As the only fish caught in the division, Anderson's walleye took home top honors. Anderson also won the youngest fisherman award.

Heagle also won the prize for first fish caught and Whitburn won the Hummo Anderson award.

Mark Lewke landed a 5 7/8 inch perch to win the prize for smallest fish.

In addition to the fishing, clowns were on hand to paint faces and make balloon animals for kids who were escaping the cold. There was also over $6,000 in prizes raffled off, ranging from designer purses and outdoor equipment to an autographed Green Bay Packers football.

"If you want to donate money, we try and give you something back," Yon joked.

In addition to the raffled items, organizers tried to ensure that every child, and many adults, received door prizes from the 142 donors who contributed to the event.

"We try and make it so the kids have fun," said Yon. "As long as the kids are happy, everyone's happy."

Yon said the event was made possible through the incredible effort of the event's organizing committee, chaired by Jim Tarro, Singleton and Jen Jacobson, noting that planning for the event began in summer and that they began setting things up in December.

Money raised from the event will be used to purchase equipment for the department.

"When we need something, we always (know we can) ask the the community and they will support the fire department," Yon said. "We always make sure to advertise the purchases so people can see where their money goes."