By Frank Stanko Daily News
Feb 19, 2024
One-hundred-seventy-six youth were registered for the 19th Annual Neil E. Heitkamp Youth Ice Fishing Derby. They caught approximately 175 fish, with many of the youth having a great time along the way. This year’s derby took place Saturday, Feb. 17 on Heitkamp Pond.
This year’s anglers included Westyn Helfenstein, 3, Foxhome, Minnesota, who came in first for two categories. Lyle, a 16 1/2-inch walleye named by Helfenstein, won the girl the best in walleye and largest fish categories. Helfenstein came with her mom, Alisha.
“Westyn received an ice fishing pail with more than $200 worth of ice fishing equipment,” the Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club announced Monday, Feb. 19.
Helfenstein also came in second for the walleye category, with a 13-inch fish caught. The third place rank went to Emily Andrews, who caught a 12 1/2-inch walleye.
In addition to walleyes, there were winners in the perch, sunfish and crappie categories. The perch catches were led by Milo Hough’s 10 3/4-inch catch, followed by Aiden Luna’s 10 1/2-inch catch and Leana Ascheman’s 10-inch catch.
The sunfish catches were led by Nora Nelson’s 8 1/4-inch catch, followed by Joshua Barth’s 8-inch catch and Rylan Gunnerson’s 7 1/2-inch catch. Gunnerson came in first for the crappie catches with a 15 1/2-inch catch. He was followed by Ella Snyder’s 13 1/2-inch catch and Colt Besette’s 13-inch catch.
Ranking as the lowest catch overall was a 4 1/2-inch perch caught by Luke Isom. Still, Isom was a winner. He received an handmade ice fishing road and a large ice fishing rod storage container.
“All first place winners received a trophy and a handcrafted ice fishing rod made by Lonnie Wurst,” the Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club announced. “Second place winners all received a trophy and a $20 gift card. Third place winners all received a trophy and a $10 gift card.”
There were also several grand prize winners based on anglers’ ages. Sam Sandry and Taia Krogh each won a $50 gift card and portable ice fishing shelter for being the top boy and girl in the 0-6 age range. James Svailes won a portable ice fishing shelter for being the top boy in the 7-11 age range. Scarlette Davis won an underwater camera for being the top girl in the 7-11 age range. Finally, Joel Bultema and Kenna Manock won a portable fish house and an underwater camera, respectively, for being the tops in the 12-18 age range.
Winning was not everything on Saturday, however. There were also opportunities for fun, like when Denver Leinen, 5, Hankinson, North Dakota, made an ice angel. Duan Van Der Merwe, 14, whose family is visiting Wahpeton from South Africa, got to walk on the ice for the first time.
“We just want to give a huge thank you to the generous various businesses, individuals, friends and employees of Heitkamp Construction and the Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club for putting together another wonderful event for the youth in our community,” derby organizers said Monday.
Additional photos from the derby will run in Thursday’s Daily News.