Gone fishing Hundreds participate in

derby at Sleepy Eye Lake

By CHRIS VETTER

Journal Staff Writer

SLEEPY EYE -- Larry Evers looked across Sleepy Eye Lake at the crowd of fishermen who were setting up their equipment. He was pleased with the turnout at the Sleepy Eye Sportsman's Club 19th Annual Fishing Derby.

"It's gotten bigger and better every year," Evers said.

Cold weather and blowing winds didn't deter a crowd that numbered 600 from attending the annual derby. Snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles moved across the ice, while other patrons cooked brats on grills.

Ice augers drilled holes through two feet of ice on the lake to make room for more anglers.

Lynn Krenz of Sleepy Eye said more than 500 people had registered for the one-day fishing contest, and the total was expected to reach 600 by the end of the day. And the crowd on the lake numbered even higher.

"A lot of people aren't even fishing," Krenz said. "They're just out here."

Contest winners are determined based on the size and weight of the fish. When a fish is caught, it must immediately be brought to the main trailer on the lake, where an electric handheld scale measures the weight.

Judges also determine if the fish is "lively" -- or was actually caught on Sleepy Eye Lake and not brought in from another site. However, smaller prize levels -- $30 and a trophy for first place -- usually keeps cheaters from bringing in fish from previous fishing trips.

Evers said fishing on the lake has been pretty good throughout the winter, especially for crappies.

Money from the event helps fund parks and lakes within Brown County. For instance, money is used to aerate the lake, improving the habitat for fish.

"There's a lot of people in Brown County that like to fish," Krenz said. "It's one of the more popular lakes in Southern Minnesota."

Sam Domeier of Sleepy Eye said the Department of Natural Resources has stocked the lake, making it a much better place to fish.

Evers agreed, saying people from across the county and nearby towns like Gibbon, Morgan and Redwood Falls are regular visitors to the lake.

"This is the only lake in Brown County that has good fishing in the lake," Evers contends.

Efforts to clean Lake Hanska and Clear Lake should net similar positive results, Krenz said.

The Sleepy Eye Sportsman's Club encourages people to release their catch, especially smaller fish.

"It's up to them," Evers said. "A lot of people put them back."

Raffles were held throughout the day. The raffles are a key part of the success of the annual derby, Krenz said.

"Our area businesses donate," he said. "People come out for the prizes."

Evers said the fishing contest is a good family event.

In some fishing contests, entrants are required to fish outdoors in view of judges, Evers explained. That isn't the case in Sleepy Eye, he added.

"Because we let people use their houses, more people come out," he said.

The derby is good for Sleepy Eye, Evers said.

"Everyone helps out and works together," he said. "They're dedicated."