2013 World Ice Fishing Championship Set for February 11-17, 2013 in Wisconsin
OutdoorHub 07.17.12
Ice angling teams from around the world will be competing in the 2013 World Ice Fishing Championship at the Big Eau Pleine Reservoir near Wausau, Wis., on February 11-17, 2013. The United States Freshwater Fishing Federation (USF3) will be hosting the event with the city of Wausau. The Federation Internationale de la Pesce Sportive has sanctioned the 2013 event for international competition.
“In 2009, when the United States held the World Ice Fishing Championship in Rhinelander, Wisc., we won. Home ice is an advantage for all nations who host the event. We are hoping it will be enough for us to repeat the GOLD medal on our home soil,” USA Ice Team Captain Mike McNett of Lombard, Ill., explained. “We held our U.S. qualifier here earlier in 2012, so we are already familiar with the techniques that will take to win in Wausau. ”
The international teams will be treated the Badger State’s best food and hospitality during the week of the championship. After five days of pre-fishing on the Big Eau Pleine Reservoir, the world ice-fishing championship will determined over two days of ice-fishing over two heats on February 16-17. Teams will draw for their sectors and fish a three-hour heat each day. The combined weights for each team will determine overall rank and score for each heat, with the winning world championship team crowned on February 17. The official weigh-ins will be at the Plaza Hotel, where there will also be a trade show and youth ice-fishing camp each day, so the local community can also participate in the World Ice Fishing Championship festivities. The fish caught during the competition will be donated to a local bird sanctuary to feed their fish-eating inhabitants.
To contact USA Ice Team Captain Mike McNett, email him at otis_mcnett@hotmail.com or ice@usf3.org. The USF3 is the governing body of international competitive angling for the United State. Its mandate is to promote the sport of fishing among American anglers and to foster the best possible relationship between American anglers and our fellow international angling friends and competitors. Visit www.USF3.org or www.facebook.com/USAngling, for more information.
