Posted at: 02/15/2010 6:44 PM | KSAX.com
By: Emily Deem

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Thousands Attend Ice Fishing Challenge; Only One Grand Prize Winner

ALEXANDRIA, MINN. - On Saturday, Lake Le Homme Dieu was packed with anglers who were ready with their rods, warmth and enthusiasm.

Many folks have attended the Ice Fishing Challenge in the past and were making it a yearly tradition.

"This is my third year out here," 13-year-old Joey Brown of Alexandria said. "I live on Lake Carlos which is right next to Lake Le Homme Dieu."

Joey may only be 13-years-old but his expectations for winning, aren't high.

"It's all luck, it doesn't take any skill to win," Brown said.

Luck is one thing the anglers needed because the fish weren't biting much on Saturday.

Although it was a quiet afternoon, some folks were lucky enough to catch something even if their fish didn't weigh much.

Folks came from all over Minnesota to attend the fishing challenge.

"I just want to make it on the board," Bob Scott of Garrison said.

This was Bob's third year at the challenge.  He had some luck at last years tournament; he didn't win a truck but a trip.

"I bought a raffle ticket one year and won a trip to Vegas," Scott said.

We do have to make one thing clear though, the sport of ice fishing isn't just for the guys.

"Definitely not," Betty Zaske of Alexandria said. "You know it's a challenge to beat them."

The ladies love to fish and it was Zaske's third year at the tournament.  Each year she comes up empty-handed but says that's ok, it is the experience she holds on to.

"It is just on big happy family out here," Zaske said.

So even if the fish were light-weights, it's not going to stop the die hard anglers from crossing their fingers and hoping next year, maybe next year they'll reel in the big one.

More than 100 people placed in the fishing tournament but with only one grand prize winner.

The winner of the 2010 Ice Fishing Challenge was: David Teske who caught a 2.14 Northern that won him a new Ford Truck.

Click here to see who all placed, http://icefishingchallenge.org/prizes2.html.

Written for the web by: Emily Deem.

edeem@ksax.com