HURLEYVILLE – Nearly 200 anglers geared up and headed out onto the ice on Saturday to participate in the 35th Annual Hurleyville Fire Department and Town of Fallsburg Youth Commission Ice Fishing Contest. With 124 adults and 57 youths out on the ice, the competition was steep.

Morningside Lake had anywhere from five to seven inches of ice, and the contest began at 7 a.m. with a stiff breeze blowing across the lake. The rising sun revealed a blue sky with clouds that would retreat as the day progressed.

The wind subsided as the contest neared its end, and the droves of contestants returned to shore for the presentation of trophies.

Many quality bullheads were caught this year, which is a bit unusual through the ice, but the contest has produced a great number of bullheads through the years.

Every year a trophy is presented to the fire department that brings in the most/heaviest fish, and this year’s first place prize belongs to Loch Sheldrake Fire Department, with a total weight of 4.13 pounds of fish.

Adult Division Winners

Bullhead: 1. Rich Smith, 2. Craig Chase, 3. Tom Post

Panfish: 1. Joe Stant, 2. Mike Wingert, 3. Kevin Mitchell

Perch: 1. Joe Stant, 2. Austin Halchak, 3. Nick Guerette

Pickerel: 1. Caleb Todd 1.88 pounds and 19.5” for a total of 21.38, 2. Jeff Molusky 1.61 pounds and 19” for a total of 20.61, 3. Nick Motola 1.63 pounds and 18.5” for a total of 20.13

Youth Division Winners

Bullhead: 1. Kylee Curry, 2. Kaylie Price, 3. Shelby Stephenson and Ethan Wolfe tied.

Panfish: 1. Andrew Kelly, Adrian Kubis, 3. Miguel Martire Jr.

Perch: 1. Brody Day and Brooke Martire tied for first, 2. Brooke Martire and Xzaier Yemeic, 3. Andrew Kelly

Pickerel: 1. Logan Janiak 1.98 pounds and 19.5” for a total of 21.48, 2. Logan Janiak 1.91 pounds and 19.25” for a total of 20.96, 3. Andrew Kelly 1.27 pounds and 18” for a total of 19.27.

J.W. Halchak said of the contest, “All in all, it was a good day on the ice.”