The Crosby Lodge Ice Fishing Tournament draws anglers to the ice each winter
The Crosby Lodge Ice Fishing Tournament is a winter event held on the ice near Crosby in the northwestern part of the state. The tournament brings together people who fish for walleye, northern pike, and other species through the ice, and it operates on a format where anglers fish during set hours and weigh their catch at the lodge. The event has become a fixture in the local fishing calendar, drawing both experienced tournament competitors and people new to ice fishing who want to be part of a community event.
The tournament is organized around a specific date each winter — the exact timing shifts year to year, so checking with Crosby Lodge directly is the only way to confirm when it will run. Entry fees, the number of teams allowed, and the prize structure all depend on how the lodge structures the event in any given year. Because details change, contacting the lodge before you plan your trip matters more than relying on information from a previous year.
Key Takeaways
- The Crosby Lodge Ice Fishing Tournament is held on the ice near Crosby and requires you to contact the lodge directly for the current year's date, entry fee, and registration details.
- You will need to bring your own ice fishing equipment — rods, tip-ups, augers, and shelter — unless the lodge provides rentals, which you should confirm when you register.
- The tournament typically runs during daylight hours with a set start and end time, and fish are weighed at the lodge after the tournament closes.
- Walleye and northern pike are the primary species targeted, though the specific rules about which fish count toward your weight may vary by year.
- Winter weather on the ice in northwestern North Dakota can be severe, so proper clothing, a charged vehicle battery, and a plan for staying warm are essential.
How to Register and What It Costs
Registration for the Crosby Lodge Ice Fishing Tournament happens directly through Crosby Lodge. You will need to call or visit the lodge in person to find out the entry fee for the current year, how many teams or individual spots are available, and what the registration deadline is. Some tournaments fill up weeks in advance, especially if the lodge limits the number of participants to manage safety and crowding on the ice.
Entry fees typically cover your right to fish during the tournament hours and to have your catch weighed at the lodge. Prize money or merchandise is usually distributed to the top finishers, though the exact prizes depend on how many people enter and how the lodge structures the payouts. Ask when you register whether the fee includes anything else — some tournaments include a meal or raffle entry, while others do not.
What to Bring and What to Prepare
You will need standard ice fishing gear: a rod and reel or tip-ups, an ice auger to cut holes, a bucket or sled to carry equipment, and a shelter or windbreak to stay warm while you wait for fish. If you do not own this equipment, ask Crosby Lodge whether they rent augers, shelters, or other gear. Many lodges do not, so knowing this before you arrive saves a wasted trip.
Dress in layers — thermal underwear, a heavy insulated coat, insulated boots rated for extreme cold, a hat, gloves, and a face covering. The wind on the ice in northwestern North Dakota can drop the temperature well below what the thermometer reads. Bring hand warmers, a thermos of hot coffee or soup, and snacks. Keep your vehicle running and warm as a backup shelter, and make sure your battery is in good condition before you head out.
Bring your fishing license — North Dakota requires one for ice fishing — and check the current regulations for the body of water where the tournament is held. Possession limits, size limits, and which species are legal to keep all matter, and they can change from year to year. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department publishes current rules online, and Crosby Lodge can tell you which regulations apply to their tournament.
Understanding Tournament Rules and Weigh-In
The tournament runs during set hours — typically from early morning to mid-afternoon, though you should confirm the exact times when you register. You fish from the ice during those hours, and at the end, you bring your catch to the lodge for weighing. The heaviest fish or the heaviest total weight (depending on the tournament format) wins.
Ask Crosby Lodge whether the tournament counts individual fish or total weight, whether there are size minimums, and whether all species count or only certain ones. Some tournaments allow only walleye, while others include northern pike or other fish. Knowing the rules before you fish means you do not waste time keeping fish that will not count toward your score.
Getting to Crosby and Finding the Ice
Crosby is in Divide County in the far northwestern corner of North Dakota, roughly 90 minutes from Minot and about two hours from the Montana border. The town is small, and services are limited, so plan to fill your gas tank before you arrive. Crosby Lodge will tell you exactly where to meet and where the tournament ice is located when you register.
The ice on northern North Dakota lakes is typically safe for fishing by late December, but thickness varies by location and weather. Crosby Lodge monitors ice conditions and will not hold the tournament if the ice is unsafe. If you are new to ice fishing, ask the lodge staff about ice thickness and safety before you head out onto the ice.
What the Local Fishing Community Is Like
The Crosby area has a strong tradition of winter fishing, and the tournament draws people who know the lakes well alongside visitors trying ice fishing for the first time. The lodge itself is a gathering place, and the weigh-in is often social — people watch the scales, talk about where fish were biting, and celebrate the winners. If you are new to the area or to ice fishing, the tournament is a good way to meet people and learn from anglers who fish these lakes regularly.
The landscape around Crosby is open prairie and grassland, with long sight lines and big sky. Winter fishing here is quiet and can be solitary if you want it to be, or social if you fish near other people. The experience is different from fishing in more populated areas, and many people come back year after year for that reason.
Planning Your Trip Around Weather and Daylight
Winter in northwestern North Dakota is cold and daylight is short. In December, the sun rises around 8 a.m. and sets around 4:30 p.m. In January and February, daylight is even shorter. The tournament will run during daylight hours, but you may be driving in darkness to and from the ice. Make sure your vehicle headlights work, your windshield wipers are in good condition, and you have a full tank of gas.
Weather can change quickly. Check the forecast the day before and the morning of the tournament. If a blizzard is moving in, the lodge may cancel or postpone. Have a backup plan — know where you will stay if you cannot drive home that day, and keep your phone charged so you can call for help if you get stuck.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Crosby Lodge Ice Fishing Tournament held?
The tournament date changes from year to year. Contact Crosby Lodge directly by phone or in person to find out when it is scheduled for the current winter. The lodge can also tell you the registration deadline and whether spots are still available.
Do I need my own ice fishing equipment?
Most likely yes, but ask Crosby Lodge whether they rent augers, tip-ups, shelters, or other gear. If they do not, you will need to bring or rent equipment from another source before you arrive. Plan this before you register so you know what to expect.
What if I have never ice fished before?
The tournament is open to beginners, and the lodge staff and other anglers are usually willing to answer questions. Bring the right clothing and gear, fish during the tournament hours, and bring your catch to the weigh-in. Ask the lodge staff about ice safety and basic technique before you head out.
What do I do if the weather is too bad to fish?
Crosby Lodge monitors conditions and will cancel or postpone the tournament if ice or weather makes it unsafe. If you have already registered and the tournament is postponed, ask the lodge whether your entry fee carries over to the rescheduled date or whether you can get a refund.
Can I fish for species other than walleye?
That depends on the tournament rules for the current year. Some tournaments count only walleye, while others include northern pike or other fish. Ask Crosby Lodge which species count toward your score when you register, and check the current North Dakota fishing regulations for possession and size limits.