TOWN OF WOOD RIVER – The snow began falling the night before and continued through the morning of Saturday, Feb. 8, accumulating to about 5 inches. Just beneath that snow on the surface of Big Wood Lake was something that had been missing the past two years––ice. After having to cancel the event in 2023 and 2024, the Grantsburg American Legion Brask Fossum Janke Post 185 was able to sponsor their 31st-annual fishing contest. Several hundred ice shacks, vehicles and people seated on buckets covered the ice. Some were in large clusters, resembling a town on the ice, others were off on their own in spots where they felt they would have the best chances. There were 1,500 entries sold and it seemed like a large portion of those who bought tickets showed up to try their luck. In spite of the early snow and overcast skies, most agreed that the conditions were just fine and the fish were biting.
In addition to the fishing there were numerous raffles, featuring some great prizes donated by local businesses, with winners being drawn every 15 minutes throughout the day. Inside the pavilion at Thoreson American Legion Park a hot lunch and hot beverages were available for participants after a long day out on the ice.
