Ice Fishing Tournament for the 2026 Still Cold Open

This tournament requires dedication, skills, and endurance, with hard work to compete against Big Lakes' best hard water anglers to become an SCO champion. This is a 2-person team event that requires coordination and teamwork with planning. Teams will compete over 6 bi-weekly events, with 2 events being all weekend, then a bonus/make-up day event, and then finally ending with championship weekend. All levels of skill are encouraged to compete, and beginners will gain a wealth of ice fishing knowledge from our veteran competitors and guides.

All age groups, both genders, are encouraged to come and compete as two divisions for Pros and Recreational groups are divided by teams in ranking by points at the end of day 3, and a bonus day. Divisions will be split in half, with the top half being the Pro Division and the lower half being the Recreational Division.

Depending on the lake's conditions, you can drive, snowmachine, 4-wheeler, SXS, as teams choose where they'd like to fish for the day, anywhere on Big Lake, Mud Lake, or Flat Lake. No other bodies of water may be fished for the SCO. The teams will attempt to land with photos and measurements of Arctic char, rainbow trout, and bonus points for Pike. All are catch and release except Pike by law in this tournament. The teams may choose their best 5 fish to turn in for points.

There will be a turn-in of photos with measurements at the end of the day at the HQ start point in front of Susitna Brewing Co., with top 3 scores, information announcements, raffles, and prizes for the largest fish caught that day.

On championship weekend, prepare to fish your tail off to have a shot at becoming the next SCO champion team. The top 3 teams in each division will get cash, prizes, and trophies, with the pro champs receiving custom Simms apparel embroidered with SCO champions, with a SCO Cup traveling trophy with their team embossed forever on it for that year. But, wait, there's more! The team that catches the largest fish for the tournament gets a trophy and $200 gift cards! Many raffles with outdoor gear and fishing equipment will be given away as door prizes weekly. Attendance greatly affects the budget, so if we have high attendance, there will be a maximum budget for prizes.

The championship banquet on March 1st, 2026, will be in the hall at Susitna Brew Co., which has hosted us for the 4th year now. Families are encouraged to attend the awards banquet to cheer on their favorite teams! Additional proceeds go to Wasilla VFW Post 9365, and we donated $1k to Wasilla HS Ice Fishing Teams to encourage teens to get outdoors.

If you want a winter challenge that is fun, with a great community of hard water anglers, this is your tournament, and welcome to the SCO family.