Merritt Reservoir’s Snake River arm was the site of the 27th Annual Cork Thornton Memorial ice fishing tournament, held Jan. 21.

51 two-person teams participated in the tournament. The team comprised of Don Cox of Mullen and Dave Fehlhafer of Lincoln weighed in 23 crappies for a total of 21.48 pounds. Second place went to Scott Bancroft and Ken Anderson, both of Valentine, who caught 18 crappies weighing in at 13.41 pounds. Gary and Greg Kurtzer of Lincoln finished third with 7.90  pounds.

Large fish prizes: crappie, 2.1 pounds, Cox and Fehlhafer; perch,  .85 pounds, Lee Folkers, Newcastle, Tony Pinkelman, Elm Creek; bluegill, .56 pounds, Monte and Scott Mares, Lincoln.