Michigan iced over veterans ice fishing tournament
Schedule
Sat, 10 Jan, 2026 at 05:30 am
UTC-05:00Location
Otsego Lake | Gaylord, MI
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Back for another one!Register early for your chance to win a free hotel stay! All information is available in the ticket link. You must complete the full registration form to be officially registered—clicking “Going” on Facebook does not count. So grab a veteran buddy, and we’ll see you on the ice!
Michigan Iced Over: Veterans Ice Fishing Tournament
Location: Otsego Lake State Park, 7136 Old US HWY 27 South, Gaylord, MI 49735
Presented by: Michigan Operation Freedom Outdoors
Event Schedule
Optional Early Registration
📅 Friday, January 9th
🕔 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 The Iron Pig Smokehouse
143 West Main Street, Gaylord, MI 49735
Mandatory Registration & Team Meeting
📅 Saturday, January 10th
🕕 Opens at 5:30 AM
📍 The Iron Pig Smokehouse
Join us for a light breakfast, coffee, and official tournament announcements.
👉 All teams must report to The Iron Pig on Saturday morning.
Tournament Start Time: 6:30 AM
Weigh-In Location: Otsego Lake State Park Boat Launch
Weigh-In Deadline: No later than 4:00 PM
Awards Ceremony & Evening Events
📍 The Iron Pig Outdoor Pavilion
🍽️ BBQ Buffet prepared by The Iron Pig
🎵 Live Music by The Outlaw Ways
🕕 Begins at 6:00 PM
🎁 Special prizes and giveaways throughout the evening!
Important Details
Backup Date:
Due to potential ice conditions, the reserved backup date for this event is Saturday, February 7th, 2026.
Cost:
🎣 Free entry for all participants!
While not mandatory, it is highly encouraged that at least one team member is a U.S. military veteran.
Donations:
Donations are gladly accepted.
Half of all donations will go toward the Side Pot Pool.
Free Items:
🪱 Free live bait and soft plastics will be available during Saturday morning registration.
Lodging Information:
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Comfort Inn Gaylord:
🏨 $98.00 per night
📞 Call (989) 217-9700 and reference Group Code: MICHIGAN ICED OVER VETERANS ICE FISHING TOURNAMENT.
🗓️ Please book by December 12th to receive the discounted rate.
💻 You may also book online: Choice Hotels Group Booking
Bonus Giveaway:
Once 30 teams are registered, two teams will be selected at random to receive a free night’s stay at the Comfort Inn Gaylord!
Raffles & Prizes
🎟️ Free Raffle Tickets will be provided to participants, with the number of tickets matching the total number of donated prizes.
(Must be present to win.)
Competition Guide
Scoring:
Combined weight of the heaviest mixed bucket of 10 panfish
(Perch, Crappie, Bluegill, Sunfish)
Guaranteed Payouts:
🏆 1st Place: $1,000
🥈 2nd Place: $600
🥉 3rd Place: $400
Optional Side Pots ($10 each – 100% payout):
Biggest Perch
Biggest Crappie
Biggest Bluegill
Biggest Walleye
Biggest Pike
Bonus Tag Fish:
MIOFO will tag one fish the week before the tournament.
If your team catches the tagged fish, you’ll win $2,000 courtesy of Alpine Realty.
Contact Information
For sponsorships, donations, or general questions, please contact:
Tom Jones
📧 Email: [email protected]
📱 Cell: (734) 612-6677
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Where is it happening?
Otsego Lake, Gaylord, Michigan, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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