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In the cold of winter, a large crowd could be found on the ice at the bass pond in Lanesboro for an event that makes even the coldest of days bearable. No matter the temperature and no matter the weather, they have been there with ice fishing poles in hand.
What began as The SnotRocket Ice Fishing Tournament has evolved in several ways over the years. It has come to mean so much more than a fishing tournament.
The idea of an ice fishing tournament came about when a few buddies were sitting around talking in 2009 and the subject of ice fishing came up.
“We came up with the idea of having an ice fishing tournament on the bass pond,” stated Rob Wagner of Lanesboro.
Wagner and Erik Overland decided to discuss the possibility of the tournament with their friend Jim Iverson. “We ran it past Iver (who owned the Root River Saloon in Lanesboro at the time), and he said the saloon would sponsor it,” explained Wagner.
Things took off from there as planning in earnest began. Overland had some experience with tournaments and that is how they came up with the logistics of hosting the tournament.
Others quickly joined the planning committee, including Wagner’s wife Melissa, Erik’s wife Laurie, Iverson’s wife Becky, Scott and Karla Strom and Brad and Rita Kelly, who would come to be lovingly known as the Grumpy Group.
Overland stated, “The first year I think we had 75 or 80 adults, and we didn’t know what we were getting into so we did an adult only tournament, and we ended up having all these kids come,” wondering why they couldn’t fish. Overland said, “The next year we made it for kids too.”
“The cool thing about the kids, it ultimately ended up being that was kind of the focus once we saw those kids out there,” noted Wagner. “First time most of them had ever ice fished so it was a great deal to see that take off.”
“It really did take off, too. We had tons of kids,” added Overland.
Sadly, the tournament transitioned into the Lanesboro Memorial Ice Fishing Tournament after the tragic loss of three young men who grew up together in Lanesboro. Three best friends – Blake Overland, son of Erik and Laurie Overland, Matthew Erickson, son of Steven and Deborah Erickson and Andrew Kingsbury, son of Allan and the late Linda Kingsbury were lost in a car accident in 2014.
Close friends, acquaintances and the entire local community gathered around the boys’ families to show how much they cared and to offer support. Wagner believes it helped the families to feel a sense of community from those who cared.
“It did help,” stated Overland, adding that the tournament brings the community together, to honor the boys and to enjoy the tournament the boys loved so much. “The three boys never missed this tournament. They were really big helpers. They were always there beforehand helping, drilling holes, doing tear-down. They were always there,” he recalled fondly.
“Most of the businesses in town have embraced it and love it,” said Wagner, noting, “Sylvan Brewing brings a keg of beer out on the ice.” The keg is donated, and they give the money to the senior class.
The Root River Saloon and current owner Tony Semmen are still very involved in the tournament. “They are a major supporter, they contribute a lot of donated things for prizes,” Overland continued. And it has been a tradition from the start for many from the tournament to go to the saloon to wind down afterward and tell fish stories. Iverson continues his tradition of cooking brats and hot dogs that are purchased by Root River Saloon, for the seniors to sell and the class keeps the proceeds.
Preston Specialties, Inc., Granny’s Liquor and so many others are always willing to support the tournament. A big supporter, Kelly Printing and Signs and owners Brad and Rita Kelly “help with running it but also with creating the cool shirts and hats that are sold as part of it,” noted Wagner.
“Almost every business in this town contributed at some point or another, plus we have outside businesses from Preston, Rushford, Peterson and more,” Wagner continued.
Over time, the tournament has grown in many ways. Wagner and Overland reminisced about the first year of the tournament when there were no porta potties on site and the female attendees were not very impressed! There are several porta potties on site each year now.
At some point, the LHS senior class got involved and each year they sell baked goods and treats, with proceeds going toward the senior class trip.
There are door prizes throughout the tournament, a variety of prizes such as for longest fish, and, “We make sure that every kid there gets to go up to the table and pick out whatever they want whether they catch a fish or not,” stated Overland. “Cheeseballs! We can’t buy enough cheeseballs for the kids because that is what they always grab is the big tub of cheeseballs!”
This year Allyssa Stockton was happy to win the prize for biggest northern pike (and the biggest fish of the tournament) at 22.5 inches. Wade Bakker won the prize for biggest bass.
Proceeds from the ice fishing tournament itself go back into the tournament, for scholarships in the boys’ names and to the senior class, amongst others. What began with one $500 scholarship given in each of the boys’ names, this year grew to two $500 scholarships in each boy’s name. The tournament has donated money to the Winona Dive Team, to Lanesboro Legion Lights, and for the flagpole at the bass pond. Benches in memory of the three boys have been placed at the bass pond as well.
After many years, the Grumpy Group has said this will be their last year organizing the tournament. They are looking for others who would be willing to take over to keep the tradition going. If you are interested, contact any member of the group.
For more information visit the Facebook page of the Lanesboro Memorial Ice Fishing Tournament.
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