Annual ice fishing derby helps kids chill out

WASILLA — It has been billed as the largest ice fishing derby in the state, and the 2016 Mat-Su Kids Ice Fishing Derby is once again poised to offer up tight lines and big smiles — all for a good cause.

This year’s derby, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday on Finger Lake in Palmer, benefits Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington, part of the national organization that grants the wish of every child diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition.

There is no entry fee, but organizers are asking families to consider a canned-food donation. Along with the old-fashioned anticipation of dropping a line through a hole in the ice, kids can participate in a number of other activities ranging from live fish stocking to a homemade fishing rod contest. Trophies and prizes will be awarded for the three largest fish in length in four age categories: 0-3, 4-7, 8-11 and 12-15.

The derby also boasts an attractive list of raffle prizes that will include a kids’ four-wheeler, ice augers and shelters, an underwater camera, fishing rods, an iPad and other outdoor equipment. Raffle tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the derby.

Derby directors Jehnifer and Butch Ehmann are in their fourth year of running the event. The Valley couple owns Ehmann Outdoors, an outdoor education and guide service.

“It has grown every year in attendance and is Alaska’s largest ice fishing derby,” Jehnifer said. “We’re looking forward to Saturday.”

She said the live fish-stocking event, which will take place in front of the Elks Lodge, is a crowd favorite.

“The Alaska Department of Fish and Game hatchery division coordinates a hatchery truck to come to the derby at 12,” Ehmann said. “They net fish from a holding tank on the back of the truck, transfer them into buckets and then kids get to walk over to an ice hole and dump the fish in. It’s a wonderful learning experience for kids to see first-hand what fish stocking means and how important it is to our lakes.”

Lake access can be gained from the Palmer Elks Lodge, located at 2600 N. Barry’s Resort Dr., off Bogard Road.

She said ice fishing in general seems to be gaining in popularity in the Valley.

“Butch and I have seen a huge uptick in the popularity of ice fishing,” she said. “Not only are there more people ice fishing, we have noticed over the last couple winters more families and children. The Mat-Su is a great place to ice fish.”

Ehmann said more than $36,000 has been raised to date for Make-A-Wish, adding that she and Butch have volunteered to fulfill three fishing wishes for kids in the last three years through the program.

“Each year as we prepare for the derby we meet new families who tell us their stories about how Make-A-Wish has impacted their lives,” she said, adding that just this week they received a request from Make-A-Wish to help a boy who has been granted a wish and wants to come to Alaska for ice fishing.

“These kids and their families remind us of what is truly important in life and make the hard work that goes into pulling the derby together so worth it,” Ehmann said. “We are so grateful that our community responds in such a resounding way to make this event possible.”

Contact reporter Steven Merritt at 352-2269 or steven.merritt@frontiersman.com