VOL. 14 · NO. 25 June 17, 2026 · Bozeman, MT LIVE · 6 RIVERS TRACKED · TOURNAMENTS THIS WEEK
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FISHINGExperience Montana’s Free Fishing Days This Father’s DayJun 17 FISHINGMastering Fly Selection: The Rock Method for Trout FishingJun 17 HUNTINGCan Arkansas Hunters Really Prepare for a Montana Spring Bear Hunt? Deadhaul…Jun 17 CONSERVATIONBeavers Rewilded 12,000 Montana Wetland Acres Better Than Anyone ExpectedJun 17 HUNTINGWildlife Policy Battle: Sportsmen Defend Hunting TraditionsJun 17
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Montana Outdoor Podcast: Unique Ice Fishing Tournament Rules Explained

The Montana Outdoor Podcast features Downrigger Dale interviewing USA Ice Fishing Team members before the World Ice Fishing Championship in Sweden, discussing unique tournament rules and competition against ten countries.

Bet You Have Never Heard of These Ice Fishing Tournament Rules!

This week on the Montana Outdoor Podcast your host Downrigger Dale caught up with 2 members of the USA Ice Fishing Team just before they left for Piteå Sweden For the World Ice Fishing Championship. Rigger had a fascinating talk with Thane Melton from Big Fork, MT who is the Vice President of the team and Joe Martinez from Utah who is the President of the team. The World Ice Fishing Tournament will take place on March 28th and 29th in Piteå, Sweden. The town of Piteå, Sweden is about the size of Kalispell Montana and is less than 100 miles from the Arctic Circle, so yes they still have ice. About 40 inches of it. You think that is wild just wait until you watch or listen to this podcast and hear the rules for this tournament. Let’s put it this way, they run their tournaments quite a bit different than we do! Oh, by the way, part of those rules include that you can not use any powered augers! Yup all holes in the ice must be drilled with a hand operated auger. That 40 inches of ice does not sound so good now does it? Do not miss this podcast. You are going to be amazed by pretty much everything that Thane and Joe tell you including the fact that Team USA will be competing against 10 other countries! Don’t miss this Podcast Gang!

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