The Friends of Lake Neshonoc Ice Days fishing derby went off under sunny skies and temperatures in the teens last Saturday.

“The weather cooperated — it was pretty nice out there,” said Steve Plenge, a Friends of Lake Neshonoc committee member. “We were very happy with the turnout — the numbers appeared to be up from previous years.”

Last year’s event drew about 300 fishermen. Plenge estimated Saturday’s crowd at around 400. The expanded boundaries of the derby were a hit with the fisherman — especially those familiar with the lake.

Maps with the boundaries were handed out when the fishermen registered and those, too, proved to be popular. “Everyone was pleased with the maps,” Plenge said.

There were three categories of fish — crappies, bluegills and northerns. The top prize was worth $350, second place was worth $200 and third place worth $100. For the second year in a row, no northerns of legal size (26 inches) were caught.

The winning bluegill was 10 0unces, and the winning crappie was 1 pound, 5 ounces. “That’s a nice sized crappie,” Plenge said. “All three winning crappies were over a pound.”

The names of the winners will be published in next week’s Coulee News.