Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Ryder Britton hooked a crappie on her 10th birthday at the 2022 Clear Lake Ice Fishing Contest. Registration for the 38th Annual Ice Fishing Contest begins at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 9. The contest begins at 11 a.m. and continue to 3 p.m.

CLEAR LAKE — Anglers hope fish are biting again on Clear Lake for the 38th Annual New Ulm Area Sport Fishermen Ice Fishing Contest Sunday.

Club member Jim Hulke is hopeful.

“The DNR (Department of Natural Resources) stocked the lake with sunfish, perch and northern this fall. People have seen crappies in the lake,” he said.

Hulke said he feels pretty good about ice thickness this year.

“The Brown County Sheriff said lake ice was at least 17 inches last week. It should be even thicker now. We think we can drive on the ice. The ice is pretty even, but people should wear ice cleats or ice grippers,” he said.

Last year, the lake ice was not nearly as thick so the event was held on land, without fishing.

Two years ago, a large crowd of people fished within the first hour of the contest and many fish were caught including perch, northern, catfish and crappies.

Hulke said contest-goers can park on the lake, along the road to it or on one side of the nearby township road.

“Some people may come just for the food. We’ll have burgers, cheeseburgers, brats, hot dogs, friend onions, sauerkraut, pop and water,” he said.

Contest registration starts at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Contest fishing takes lace from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. DNR fishing regulations must be followed.

“We stress catch and release after fish are weighed,” said Hulke.

Since their inception in 1986, the New Ulm Area Sport Fishermen has been committed to improving water quality and fish habitat within 50 miles of New Ulm.

The Sunday weather forecast calls for sunshine with a high of 27 degrees.

Contest proceeds go the New Ulm Area Sportfishermen. For more information, visit www.newulmsportfish.org