Paul Rotter, president of the Sagola Township Sportsmen’s Club, organizes plans for the upcoming Tip Up Town event. The fishing contest will be 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday on Sawyer Lake, with registration beginning at 7 a.m. on the ice. (Theresa Proudfit/Daily News photo)

SAGOLA — The ice conditions “look good” for the 43rd annual Tip Up Town of the U.P. competition set for Saturday on Sawyer Lake despite recent warmer weather, organizers said.

“There is still some slush in isolated areas — like usual — but no other problems,” said Paul Rotter, president of the Sagola Township Sportsmen’s Club.

Rotter said ice shacks began going up last weekend and trucks were being driven on the ice.

This year’s event, hosted by the club, includes an ice fishing contest, entertainment, drawing for a side-by-side SUV, food and drinks.

The fishing contest will be 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sawyer Lake, with registration beginning at 7 a.m. on the ice.

All anglers, adults and children, must purchase a $5 button and be registered for the event.

The competition offers cash prizes for first through third place in adult class in five species categories.

For children, prizes will be awarded to first through fifth place, again in the five fish categories, Rotter said.

Prizes include jig pole, tip-up, small tackle box, minnow pail and pizza.

“We always look forward to the children coming up to find up where they stand on the leaderboard,” Rotter said. “They make this event a lot of fun for the family.”

Awards will be handed out after the contest at the clubhouse at W8470 Sawyer Lake Road, 4 miles north of Channing. The clubhouse will open at 11 a.m. for those who want to warm up or purchase lunch.

The club has planned several prize drawings and 50/50 drawings on the lake throughout the day.

Tickets still are available for the SCF MOTO UFORCE 800 side-by-side, which has a retail value of $10,750, purchased at Red Line Sports in Norway. They can be purchased for $10 each at several local businesses including BP in Sagola, Red Line Sports in Norway, Hardcore Outfitters in Iron Mountain, R&R Tire, Whispering Pines, Randville Bar, Ace of Clubs in Sagola, Sunny’s Foods, Cuculi’s, Silver Lake Resort and Way Dam Resort, Michi-aho Resort, Raven’s Next, Jubilee Foods, U.S. 2 Rental, and from club members.

The drawing for the side-by-side will be 8 p.m. at the Sagola Sportsmen’s Club. Ticket-holders need not be present to win. All proceeds go to hunter’s safety, scholarships, and other charitable programs.

Event sponsors are Minerick Logging, First National Bank in Crystal Falls, Crystal Lumber, Cuculi’s, Way Dam Resort, Johnson Potato Farm and Carey Logging.

Rotter encourages the public to come and enjoy lunch as well as entertainment at the clubhouse.

They will serve a variety of food starting at 11:30 a.m., including brats, hot dogs, burgers, and their famous french fries. Beverages also will be available for purchase.

Starting at 4 p.m., adults and children 13 and older will need to purchase a Tip Up Town button for the entertainment at the clubhouse. DJ Jake Conery of 8 Ten Entertainment will provide music until 8:30 p.m.

“We are looking forward to another successful Tip Up Town,” Rotter said.

Rotter noted the club no long will feature snowmobile races as part of Tip Up Town, due to insurance costs, ice conditions on Edey Lake and a lack of volunteers.

The club also reminds the public about its 2017 Gun and Knife Show set for 3 to 7 p.m. Feb. 10 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 11 at the clubhouse at W8470 Sawyer Lake Road. Admission is $5 for adults and children 13 and older.

Vendors still can purchase tables for $25. Set-up will be after 10 a.m. Friday and 7 a.m. Saturday.

Those interested can contact Rotter at 906-542-3416, email protter@live.com; or Frank Tehako at 906-776-0931, email ftehako@charter.net. Food also will be available at the clubhouse.