Bite the Ice will go forward as planned
Bite the Ice will go forward as planned
By Jerry W. Kram
The brief cold snap that brought below zero temperatures to the area was just the thing organizers of the 2012 Bite the Ice fishing tournament were looking for. The frigid temperatures were just what was needed to make the ice around Van Hook thick enough to hold the annual ice fishing tournament.
A final determination of the ice conditions will be made on the day of the tournament, Feb. 4, prior to the start of registration at 8 a.m. The tournament will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The ice is in excellent condition, said tournament committee member Erik Grubb. With little snow, the ice has frozen clear and hard. The ice is 14 to 15 inches thick throughout the tournament area. That is thick enough for organizers to allow anglers to use their own discretion to use their vehicles and ice houses on the ice during the tournament.
“The ice has frozen just as smooth as can be,” said Lonny Hagen. “It’s so great just to watch all the dads or grandpas and grandmas come out with their kids for the tournament. It’s just great.”
Grubb cautioned that ice conditions are a double edged sword. The smooth surface also means that the surface will be very slippery. He said anglers should be wearing ice cleats out on the ice and should exercise extra caution while driving on the ice.
