We went to Nisswa Lake to catch a fish but mostly just bought raffle tickets

The old saying goes, “you can’t catch a fish if your line’s not in the water.” And they also say you can’t win the lottery if you don’t buy a ticket.

Well, we didn’t catch or win anything at the Nisswa Fire Department’s annual ice fishing derby. However, the bitter wind and cold didn’t cool our spirits. A crowd of more than a hundred assembled on Nisswa Lake at the last event of the Nisswa Jubilee weekend, which is every year before President’s Day.

The annual event is Nisswa Fire’s largest fundraiser of the year and helps purchase equipment beyond the Department’s budget. Fire Chief Shawn Bailey said the event has been held every year for 40 years. Hot dogs, raffle tickets and a bonfire heated up the event, with dozens of people taking home sweet prizes, including ice fishing rods, ice scoops, tip-ups, cash and even a flame thrower.

Thank you to all the hearty participants, firefighters and sponsors, including Nisswa Smiles, Nisswa Marine and several others.