Students from Onaway P.E. take part in an ice fishing event

The sign on the door handle of the Onaway High School gym should have read, “Gone Fishing” when students from the physical education classes took part in a friendly ice fishing competition February 18 at Tomahawk Floodwaters.

“I was actually surprised how many students had not fished before,” said physical education teacher Ted Peters. “I guess, if their parents don’t take them out, where will they learn about it.”

Students learned fishing techniques, how to be safe in winter conditions, along with fishing regulations of the Department of Natural Resources.

“Everyone had a blast,” said Peters, who would like to take the students fishing on area rivers and lakes in the spring. “They learned a lot about the sport and the local environment.”

Since this was a winter event, students were taught how to check the ice to make sure it is safe, how to treat hypothermia, along with the best ways to dress for the elements.

Students were shown the proper way to bait a minnow, jigging techniques, and the kind of equipment needed to ice fish.

Peters told the students that the most elaborate equipment isn’t needed for ice fishing; that they could go out there with a stick and some line and get fish. “Tha

t’s the way it was done for years,” said Peters.

During the event, Kristy Kowalski caught the first fish on the ice; Serena Green had the biggest fish; and Kyle Neff caught the most.

Cook the fish?

That might have to be the subject of a future class. Peters said they put the fish back. Earl Flynn, deputy Lewis Robinson, athletic director Justin Ansel, and superintendent Bob Szymoniak accompanied the group.

Carter’s Food Center and Tom’s IGA supplied food and pop, while the Black River Party Store and Parrott’s Outpost contributed fishing supplies.

Peters hopes to make the activity an annual event.

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