Weekend’s Benefit Ice Fishing Derby at Ocean Lake brought in over $7,000; Winners announced

January 15, 2019

William Apodaca - Midvale Benefit Ice Fishing Derby — The beneficiary of this year's annual Midvale Store Ocean Lake Ice Fishing Derby is William Apodaca. Not only did William's family get half of the funds raised during the event, but he caught the third heaviest Walleye. Photo h/t Ernie Over

(Midvale, Wyo.) – It was a chilly, but fun weekend for the ice fishing on Ocean Lake and for the 8th Annual Midvale Benefit Ice Fishing Derby. The real winner was little 5-year-old William Apodaca of Riverton, who was diagnosed with Diabetes this past April and is learning to manage the disease.

Proceeds from donations, a silent auction and a chili cook-off went to the boy’s family for medical expenses and travel to specialists in Denver. Many of the cash prizes raised from the other half of the entry fees were donated back to the family.

William was happy for several reasons. Not only did the event raise over $7,000 to help his family with expenses, but he won the third place prize for largest Walleye with a 4.9 pound walleye.