Ice Fishing Tournament~ Eagle Nest Lake State Park

The annual Ice Fishing Tournament at Eagle Nest Lake State Park, sponsored by Friends of Eagle Nest Lake and Cimarron Canyon State Parks and the Eagle Nest Chamber of Commerce, is scheduled for February 7, 2015.

Registration begins at 6:00 am at the South Boat Ramp in the day-use picnic area. Participants may begin fishing immediately after registering. Fish for entry into consideration for tournament prizes may be caught until 2:00 pm, when a horn will sound notifying participants that tournament fishing has concluded. Catches must be turned in at the registration location by 2:30 pm to be included in the contest.

The Friends group is pleased to announce the addition of a “Creel” category to the “Species” categories for trout/salmon, perch, and pike. The Creel category is based on the total number of fish caught by a participant in each category entered. Registration is $10 per category entered, and eligibility for entering the Creel category is based on the species categories entered.

Seventy-five percent of registration fees in each category will be awarded as prize money for first, second, third, and fourth place finishes in the category: 1st Place – 40% of the cash prize 2nd Place – 30% of the cash prize 3rd Place – 20% of the cash prize 4th Place – 10% of the cash prize. Non-cash door prizes courtesy of local businesses will also be awarded. 

This year, Ice Fishing began at Eagle Nest Lake on January 3, 2015. Participants are advised to check ice conditions before making the trip. The phone number for Eagle Nest Lake State Park is 575-377-1594. 

All New Mexico Fish and Game and State Park rules, regulations, and fees apply to tournament participants. Visit the Friends of Eagle Nest Lake and Cimarron Canyon State Parks website at http://www.enl-cc-parkfriends.org/ for additional information.

Contact: Event Chairperson Bruce Manakas, 575-377-6188