The 2012 Midwest Open Ice Tournament • January 22, 2012 at Devils Lake in the Irish Hills of Michigan
This event has become one of the premiere ice fishing tournaments in the United States. The Midwest Open’s 2011 event was held January 22, 2011 on Clark Lake in Clarklake, Michigan. It turned out 150 2-man teams fishing for $29,315.74 in cash and prizes. With the Big Prize of $12,000.00 going to the team of Ron Kniffen and Keith Kniffen bringing in a catch of 8 Gills and 3 Crappie weighing in at 5.59 lbs.
If you are interested in ice fishing and competing in tournaments this tournament is for you. It was first held on January 15th, 2000, when Mark Roesencrans convinced some of the top ice fishermen in the nation, like Dave Genz, to fish Devils Lake in the Irish Hills of Michigan. The first event in 2000 was an eye opener for many. Those that came to fish from out of the area, who found the fishing to be very different than where they came from, and to the locals who fished the tournament and became hooked on competition ice fishing. The first 2 events were single-man events, fisherman against fisherman. Starting in 2002 a group was formed call “Ice Team” and the event changed to a team event. It consisted of 2-man teams fishing various tournaments trying to qualify for the chance to fish in the Nationals in Dec. 2002. The 2002 Michigan winners went on to compete that year in the Nationals and were crowned the first National Champions.
For more Info visit: http://www.midwestopentournament.com/
