Cody Ibberson of Sleepy Eye and family members tried their luck near the southeast corner of the lake, drilling fishing holes through two feet or more of ice inside and outside of a portable fish house.

Ibberson said he enjoys fishing on the lake with some of his family about every weekend. Sometimes, he tries his luck on Lake Hanska.

Not long after the fishing derby began, his nephew Sam Ibberson of New Ulm said he saw a northern swim nearby through an underwater camera.

“I like catching northerns because of the fight they put up,” said Cody. “But I like walleyes more for their taste.”

Staff photos by Fritz Busch Left: Sam Ibberson of Ulm holds an ice fishing rode outside a portable ice fishing house on Sleepy Eye Lake Sunday.

Ibberson said the weather was good for ice fishing Sunday.

“I remember a few years ago, it was so warm, they wouldn’t let us on the ice with permanent fishing houses,” Cody said.

The derby grand prize raffle included a 14 feet by 6.5 feet Ice Castle Fish House, a Can-Am Outlander ATV, four $500 and 250 cash prizes.

Cash prizes and trophies were given for the three largest fish in six categories. Results will be printed after they are received.

An ice auger shows how thick the ice is on Sleepy Eye Lake at the 40th Annual Fishing Derby Sunday.