The Township of Laurentian Valley hosted its 5th annual LV Ice Fishing Derby on February 22, at Lemke Lake. The event, which ran from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., attracted 133 participants for a day of fun and community spirit.
The winners of the event were Josh Nokes, who caught the longest fish, followed by Kathleen Jurgens in second place and Adam Molson in third. The event’s success wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the community, including many volunteers and local sponsors.
A special thank you was extended to Rick Klatt for his volunteer efforts. Rick is a passionate advocate for outdoor education and fun activities, and his contribution helped make the event a success. The LV 50+ Fit & Feisty volunteers also played a crucial role in making sure everything went smoothly on the day of the event. Additionally, Andy Molson, a neighboring resident, dedicated his time to preparing trails and getting the lake ready for the derby. His hard work was instrumental in making the event enjoyable for all participants.
Several other volunteers, including Sebastian Ward, also helped out during the day, ensuring that everything ran well. The event was also made possible by the generous support of local businesses and sponsors, such as Reiche Law, Valley Dumpster Inc., Brandon Beaulieu, Sales Representative of Century 21, Tommy Serran, Financial Advisor of Frank Carroll Financial, Mike Teat, Sales Consultant of Valley Window and Door, Stone Moss Construction, Town & County Men’s Shop, Mike’s Hardware, The Farmstead Weddings & Events, Priceless Maintenance, and The Pickle Vixens.
Another heartfelt thank you went to LV 50+ Fit & Feisty for donating hot chocolate and coffee, as well as Valley Buns Bakery & Deli for their donation of lunch. Everyone involved made the derby a truly enjoyable experience for the participants.
The Township is grateful for the support from all volunteers, sponsors, and residents who contributed to making the 2025 Ice Fishing Derby a memorable day. The Township is already looking forward to hosting the event again in 2026 and hopes to see even more people join in on the fun.
(Written by: Emma Butler)