Ice anglers across the state have a new reason to drill holes this winter.
The Montana Ice Grand Slam has officially kicked off on December 1st and runs through the end of March, giving anglers months to chase fish, climb the leaderboard, and compete for cash and gear. Hosted through the FishDonkey app, this multi-species ice fishing tournament is open anywhere there’s legal public ice in Montana. Entry is $30, and the top three anglers will take home cash prizes up to $500, while every participant is automatically entered into prize drawings for custom rods and lures.
The format is simple but challenging: anglers are competing for total length, not just one big fish. The longest fish you catch from each eligible species gets added together, and the angler with the highest combined length wins. With more than two dozen species in play—including walleye, lake trout, pike, perch, trout, burbot, and even the occasional muskie—success favors anglers willing to move, explore, and fish creatively. Last season drew 21 participants and plenty of friendly competition, and organizers expect even more this year.
To keep things fair, all fish must be photographed on a store-bought bump board with the measurement clearly visible, along with a second photo of the angler holding the fish. Submissions are handled directly through FishDonkey’s in-app camera, which works even without cell service and uploads automatically once you’re back in range. The app also culls shorter fish automatically, so only your longest catch of each species counts. Tournament officials review every entry before it hits the leaderboard.
If you’re already ice fishing, you might as well be competing. Sign-ups are open now on FishDonkey, and with the season just getting started, there’s still plenty of time to stack lengths and climb the rankings. Whether you’re chasing prizes or just looking for an excuse to fish more water this winter, the Montana Ice Grand Slam offers a solid reason to get after it.
SIGN UP ONLINE RIGHT NOW HERE
Photo: mtviitan from Getty Images
