Ice Fishing at Montana’s Lake Frances with North 40

Ice fishing at Lake Frances can be productive for pike (shown here) and yellow perch. Photo courtesy Valier Area Development Corp.

A fearless crew from North 40 will venture onto the ice this Saturday, January 13, for the Valier Area Development Corp’s 2018 Ice Fishing Derby at Lake Frances

It looks like a cold front is coming in this week and the projected highs for Saturday are in the single digits. We expect good ice conditions.

The derby runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a $15 per person registration fee. Registration on Saturday begins at 6 a.m. at the Fireman’s Pavilion and the One Stop Cenex in Valier.

Pike and perch are the targets with 1st, 2nd and 3rd place cash payouts for the biggest fish. Last year the pike and perch winners each netted $1,035. 

Setting Up for Ice-Fishing Success

With single digit temperatures, we will opt for an insulated Eskimo Ice Shelter with a propane Mr. Heater to take off the chill.

On the ice, we will also have the Eskimo P1 10-inch Rocket Auger. The P1 is the latest generation of high-compression, propane-powered ice augers. Pairing a high-compression engine with a new high-speed, all-metal transmission achieves faster revolutions. The new Rocket Auger features a cast bottom resulting in smoother cutting and breakthrough. At only 28 pounds, the P1 is the lightest 10-inch propane power auger on the market. Not only will the P1 Auger be available for demo, North 40 is donating it as a tournament raffle prize.

For perch, many ice fishers have their favored setups. The bite can change from day-to-day, but we’ll bring some old reliables and some newer choices. Hali Jigs tipped with live maggots are a standby. We also like little Kastmasters. I a fan of the Northland Forage Minnow. We will also try some Snare Spoons and Northland Glow Shot Spoons.

For pike, tip ups are generally the preferred setup. Dropping a yellow or red Fire-Dyed Smelt is hard to beat. Depending on the level of perch action, I might do a little jigging for pike with Moonshine Lures’ Shiver Minnow.

Good luck on the ice. Stop by and say hello and check out the auger you could win.

Stay tuned for a recap and video from the event. If you are participating in the derby, we wish you success and we’ll see you on the ice.