Submitted by:
Corey Hurren

About 600 people came to Whitefish Lake on Saturday, March 15th to see who was going to pull the winning $10 000 fish through four feet of ice when the Valley Lions held their 17th annual Billy Beal Ice Fishing Derby.

Click any picture for a larger version.

Pictured above is the Committee Chair for the Billy Beal Ice Fishing Derby, Bowsman Lion Barry Stephen (left) and Lion’s District 5M13’s 2nd Vice District Governor Lion Gord Kingdon from Minnedosa, MB with the MD5M Snowman.

Lion Donny Mullin presenting the prize for Youngest Fisherman to 3 year old Jael Wright from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. She also placed 28th in the weight category with her 0.14 pound pike.


The event is an annual fundraiser put on by the three local Swan Valley Lion Clubs (Bowsman, Minitonas, and Swan River) for the Swan Valley Lions Medical Assistance Fund. Since it’s start, the Swan Valley Lions Medical Assistance Fund has given $154,903.66 to 179 local residents. Administration costs to date are $78.41.

A total of 34 fish were caught and the grand prize winner of the $10,000 was Ernie Simpson from Camperville, MB with a pike weighing in at 5.12 pounds.

Click here for all 2014 Billy Beal Prizes – Fish Sorted By Weight

Special Events Winners
Oldest Fisherman – Ory Wintonyk – 87 years old
Youngest Fisherman – Jael Wright from Yellowknife – 3 years old
Hidden Time: 1:42 – Garry Fediuk
Hidden Weight: 1.04lbs – Keith Robb
Heaviest Perch – Rick Mayer

Bowsman 50 – 50 Draw

Cindy Sawchuk – $1250







Rhonda Lumax – $750

Brett Church – $500






Swan River 50 – 50 Draw
Tammy Chief – $700
Barb Nepinak – $420
Bartley Beals – $280

The three local Swan Valley Lion Clubs would like to congratulate all the winners and thanks everyone involved again for their support and hope to see you there next year.