After four years without an ice fishing contest at Vallecito Lake, the event is running strong once more with two consecutive years of big payout competition.
As part of Vallecito Lake Winterfest last weekend, the Vallecito Conservation & Sporting Association Ice Fishing Tournament allowed anglers from around the Four Corners a chance at a payday.
Mike Menicucci landed the top trout Saturday, weighing in at 5.52 pounds. Coming in a close second was AJ Lipripper with a 5.13-pound trout, and Randy Cottrall was third with a 5-pound catch. Chris Morreil also hauled in a 4.43-pound fish.
Michele Sensing reeled in the biggest pike of the weekend at 4.52 pounds. Robert Morris caught a 2.61-pound pike for second place, and Andrew Miller’s small catch of 0.32 pounds was good for third in the pike contest.
Awards also went out to anglers with the heaviest stringer of fish. Ryan Bowers won with a combined catch weight of 7.41 pounds. Jeremy Lientz took second at 6.34 pounds, narrowly edging third-place Trevor Packard, who brought in 6.24 pounds. Willie Semler’s 5.85-pound stringer took fourth.
First-place winners earned $400, with second place taking $300 and third earning $200. Fourth-place was good for a $100 gift card to Sportsman’s Warehouse.
Prize money was down from a year ago, when first place in each category took home $1,000 with second place taking $500.
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
