Ugly Fish Contest in Howard Lake

The Howard Lake Watershed Alliance will be hosting an ugly (carp) fish contest, Saturday, June 5 from 12:01 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Howard Lake.

There will not be an entry fee, but all contestants must register as a one-person team or two-person team by phone, (612) 867-1985 or (763) 291-0546, or at Lions Park the day of the contest.

Prizes will be paid per pound, up to 300 pounds. For example, if first place is 150 pounds, top prize is $150. If first place is 500 pounds, top prize will be limited to $300.

All contestants must fish Howard Lake and abide by fishing laws concerning rough fish as printed on pages 59 and 60 of the Minnesota Fishing Regulations 2010.

All carp, if contestant does not want them, will be disposed of at the Lions Park landing by the tournament sponsor.

When I was given the contest information, I thought the mention of fish 100-plus pounds was a stretch of the imagination until I did some research on carp.

Due to the fact that they have a high resilience, carp have flourished. In fact, they have flourished too much – their population numbers are extreme.

Surprisingly, carp have a following of recreational fishermen that fish for the “ugly” fish just for the sport of it.

Because these fish grow rapidly and are not targeted fish, they also can get quite large, making them a fun catch.
You do not need a boat to fish carp. Carp tend to roam the shallows, so fishing from the bank works great.

What do you need to catch these big guys? Well, a medium to large rod works best. Use at least a 10 lb. test line. Carp seem to enjoy sweet corn and bread as bait, and small hooks, like a size 8, work great.

Good luck and let me know how you do.

BBQ, car wash,
and garage sale
Mark your calendars – Thursday, June 10, the St. John’s Lutheran Church youth group will be hosting a BBQ, car wash, and garage sale from 3 to 7 p.m.

Proceeds go toward the youth’s summer mission trip.

Orphans win
Congrats to the Orphans for a nice win Sunday, May 9!

Also congrats to Connie Norman and Kerbie Klingenhoff, who won the drawings for free rounds of golf at the Howard Lake Greens!

Anniversary wishes
For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health . . . They have given testimony of their love and are celebrating again the day they were united in marriage.

Happy anniversary – Thursday, May 20, Jerry and Pam Wren; and Saturday, May 22, Kevin and Karen Erickson.
May you be surrounded with love and happiness.

Birthday wishes
Celebrating this week’s birthdays; Monday, May 17, Curt Levang; and Sunday, May 23, Renee Lahr.
May God bless your special day.

This week’s events
Tuesday, May 18 – MOPS craft night, St. John’s Lutheran Church, HL, choir room, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 19
• Concert choir, HLWW High School Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.
• Storytime, HL Library, preschoolers and families. 6:15- 7 p.m.

Friday, May 21 – Orphans host Miesville Mudhens, 7:30 p.m., Memorial Park.

Saturday, May 22 – Read to a dog, HL Library, school -age children, 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m.

Sunday, May 23 – Orphans host Maple Plain, 2 p.m., Memorial Park.

Submit your
Howard Lake news
We are looking for Howard Lake submissions for this column. If it is happening in Howard Lake, I wanna know! Please e-mail items to cheri@heraldjournal.com. You can also find me on facebook. Search Cheri-heraldjournal.