GRAND COUNTY, Colo. – True fishermen are not content to forget their passion just because of a little ice. During the winter, ice fishing provides an opportunity to not only bask in beautiful scenery, but also the chance to catch “the big one.” With two different ice fishing contests taking place in early 2023 in Grand County, Colo., big cash purses and other prizes sweeten the experience.
35th Annual 3 Lakes Ice Fishing Contest, Granby
January 27-29, 2023
Hosted by Destination Granby, the 35th Annual 3 Lakes Ice Fishing Contest is the longest-running ice fishing tournament West of the Mississippi. Contestants are invited to ice fish on beautiful Lake Granby, Shadow Mountain Reservoir and Grand Lake for one ($55), two ($65) or all three days ($75) of the contest. (Please note, registration prices increase after Jan. 1, 2023.) They will be competing for $26,000 in cash, as well as other prizes from Clam, Vexilar, K-Drill Augers, Traeger and more. There are 10 tagged fish, which are worth $1,000 each, and the grand prize raffle is a side-by-side off-road vehicle. Each participant receives a commemorative hat and welcome bag. There is a kickoff party on January 26 from 6-9 p.m. at the Summit Bar & Grill at Sun Outdoors Rocky Mountains in Granby.
For more information, visit: www.destinationgranby.com/events/3-lakes-ice-fishing-contest/.
26th Annual Wolford Reservoir Ice Fishing Tournament, Kremmling
February 18, 2023
Though this competition, held at Wolford Mountain Reservoir, is only one day (7 a.m. – 3 p.m.), there is enough action to satisfy even the most competitive fisherman. Contestants will prime their hooks for the tagged fish cash prizes worth $2,500, as well as thousands of dollars in other prizes. There are also kids prizes, door prizes and a raffle. Registration is $42 for adults and kids under 15 fish for free (unless they want to compete for prizes, in which case they need to register as adults).
For more information or to register, go here: https://bit.ly/3HaGahP.
Whether it’s as a participant or spectator, there’s nothing like spending a day on the ice. Grab your rod, your best lures and mark your calendars for these fish-focused festivals. You never know what you might reel in!
About Grand County, Colorado
Located 67 miles west of Denver, Grand County is home to wide-open spaces, breathtaking mountain scenery, and authentic old-west towns. Outdoor recreational activities include golf, boating, biking, hiking, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, sleigh rides, and tubing. The area features more than 600 miles of mapped and marked trails, one national park, two national forests, two wilderness areas, two national scenic byways, two major ski resorts, five world-class dude ranches, and four mountain golf courses.
