Staff photo by Connor Cummiskey Sleepy Eye lake was covered in a village of ice fishing tents, trailers and houses Sunday during the 36th annual Sleepy Eye Fishing Derby hosted by the Speey Eye Sportsmen’s Club.

NEW ULM — Hundreds of competitors braved the below-zero windchill Sunday to participate in the Ice Fishing Derby on Sleepy Eye Lake.

The competition hosted by the Sleepy Eye Sportsmen’s Club counted 832 registered ice fishers, not including any unregistered family they brought along.

“We just want to say thank you to all of the sponsors and all of the people who donated to this and all of the help. There are probably people out there that I do not even know that I know did something. Without them being involved, this would not be a success,” Vice President Sam Domeier said.

Under a clear blue sky and despite a driving northwest wind liable to freeze nose hairs, a small village of ice fishing houses popped up on the lake throughout Sunday.

Aside from the variety of raffle prizes available, the main competition was in the largest pan fish, such as blue gill or crappies, and the largest game fish, such as northern pike or bass.

The winner of the game fish was Aubrey Kuelbs with a northern weighing 4 pounds 6 ounces.

In second place was Nathen Reller with a northern weighing 4 pounds, 4 ounces, third was Heidi Suess with a northern weighing 3 pounds, 6 ounces and fourth was Lori Bauer with a northern weighing 3 pounds 5 ounces.

For pan fish, first place went to Jace Hinderman with a crappie weighing at 12 ounces. Second through fourth were: Madden Hinderman, crappie at 11 ounces; Logan Shoen, crappie at 10 ounces and Kyle Goblirisch, crappie at 9 ounces.

Connor Cummiskey can be emailed at ccummiskey@nujournal.com.