Annual Lake Manawa Ice Fishing Tournament Jan 26
Posted: 01/22/2013

COUNCIL BLUFFS - Lake Manawa will be covered with 800 to 1,000 anglers Saturday looking for tagged fish worth prizes up to $25,000 as part of the Winterfest Ice Fishing Derby.

The annual event attracts ice anglers from across the region with prizes ranging from fish finders, ice houses, to gift cards and augers. Prizes will be awarded for the largest bluegill, catfish, crappie, drum, walleye and wiper. The top three places in the adult division and youth division will also receive prizes.
Other competitions include a chili cook-off among the fishing derby participants and a best decorated ice house.

The derby is 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Jan. 26. Dan Jacobs, manager at Lake Manawa State Park, said the derby will be held on the southwest area of the lake because of variable ice conditions.

Registrations are being accepted until 7 a.m. Saturday. The registration fee is $20 and entry forms are available online at www.winterfestderby.com

Sponsors include Hy-Vee, Bass Pro Shops, Wal*Mart, Scheels, Doll Distributing, LLC, Woods Sporting Goods, Friends of Lake Manawa, Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce, Iowa DNR, Council Bluffs Parks and Recreation, Recycled Fish on Ice, MO Fish, Humminbird, Shappell and StrikeMaster Ice Augers.