Why not spend a wild winter hardwater week in Montana this year? Start in Havre, MT with the 1st annual Fresno Ice Derby (January 28-29th, 2012), then cruise on down to West Yellowstone. Take a day to snowcoach into Yellowstone Park's interior and a day to snowmobile outside the Park. The NAIFC tournament( Feb 3-5) starts Friday night with seminars, Saturday free Kids' Camp on the Ice (all kids get a free rod,tackle, & learn-to ice fish), Sat PM USA Ice Fishing Team Qualifier, and then the NAIFC tournament WITH CASH PRIZES on Sunday! Stay to watch the Superbowl in West Yellowstone. It'll be the winter trip of a lifetime!

While you are here, in West Yellowstone take time to enjoy the best that West Yellowstone area has to offer including Yellowstone’s snow covered landscape, frozen waterfalls and frosted trees contrasted with geysers and other geothermal features, creating a surreal winterscape. Daily snowcoach and snowmobile tours from West Yellowstone give an oversnow adventure into the heart of Yellowstone Park.

Snowmobile right from West Yellowstone to incredible views and fun you cannot find any other way: groomed trails, open bowls and snowfields and 2,000 ft. elevation gain. Some of the best cross-country skiing in the nation, with over 35 kilometers of groomed runs within the renowned Rendezvous Trail System. And, downhill skiing at Big Sky just 45 miles away.

Family fun abounds… The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center is open year round, the neighboring IMAX Theatre offers large-screen movies, Yellowstone Park Rangers give weekly presentations, the local skating rink is open to the public with rentals available.

For more information please go to West Yellowstone Visitor Center.

While you are here FAQs

Is it mandatory that I attend the Friday Night Seminar?

No, it is not mandatory to attend the Friday Night Seminar (FNS). However, it is a good opportunity to learn more about tournaments, fishing techniques and new products on the market. The FNS has two parts. The first is a speaker who talks about and takes questions about ice fishing. This session includes free Christian Brothers Brandy sampling and free product give-away. The second part features small group discussions between those attending and the NAIFC Pro-Staff and Ice Men over dinner at local establishments.

Do I have to attend the Saturday Rules meeting?

One member of the team must attend the Rules Meeting. If you are a new team we recommend both of the members attend the Rules Meeting. At the Rules Meeting you will receive your packet with rules, tags, and big fish marker. Prior to the start of the tournament both team members are required to sign a waiver. If one team member is not present at the Rules Meeting that missing team member must sign the waiver in the start/line-up line Sunday morning.

Will there be food served at the Friday Night Seminar or the Rules Meeting?

The Holiday Inn will serve free dinner to all competitors from 5:30-7 pm before the Saturday Rules Meeting, where there will also be a cash bar. For those on the ice Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the Happy Hour Bar on Hebgen Lake and Hi Country Tavern & Grill will have full food and beverages available for purchase and there will be limited food and beverages at the Boathouse at Kirkwood Resort & Marina. Snacks and drinks will also be available for purchase at the Friday Night Seminar at the Pinecone Playhouse in the Madison Crossing building and the discussions with seminar presenters will continue at various restaurants and taverns nearby, which will all have an ice fishermen's special in addition to their regular menus.