http://www.willmarlakesarea.com/

After another great seasonof fishing, we are excited tobring you our second issue ofTournament Fishing Times.As a young publication weare always looking for newand exciting angling ideas

and that’s just what we did with this issue. You will not only find detailedtournament coverage of the season, but also a family-oriented angle to thearticles and information. We worked with the Youth Bass Federation for thisissue as well, due to our developing interest in youth fishing as a wholesomerecreational sport for kids. We believe in inspiring a passion for angling at ayoung age in order to keep the tradition of tournament fishing alive. As aloving father himself, Chad has contributed some exciting articles aboutfamily fishing and the bond that comes from it. Aside from our family-orientedapproach, we have continued to include fishing tips, prime locations, resultsfrom past events, information on upcoming events and how to get involvedin tournament fishing. In this issue you will read about the largest walleyetournament in Minnesota: the 3rd Annual Leech Lake Walleye Tournament.After the success of last year’s tournament, which included huge cash payoutsand 155 registered teams, we anticipate an even bigger turnout this year.In fact, Midwest Outdoors TV will be filming the competition. As usual we’vecovered all species of tournaments under one cover and had a great timedoing it. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this issue and helped to makeit a success!

Good Luck This Season,

Chad Keller & Matt Lahren

PHOTO CREDITS: Cover image: Bill Linder Studio. Other images: Peter Anderly, JasonDurham, Chad Keller, Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce, Lake of the WoodsTourism, Leech Lake Tourism Bureau, Leech Lake Walleye Tournament, Park Rapids LakesArea Chamber, Willmar Lakes Area.

Publisher: This publication is produced by Itineraries, Inc. in partnership with Tournament Fishing Times.

Itineraries, Inc. 56 South 33rd Avenue, #234 - St. Cloud, Minnesota 56301877-832-7267 / Fax 763-201-7945 / www.tournamentfishingtimes.com / info@tournamentfishingtimes.com

TOURNAMENTFISHING TIMES

MINNESOTA FISHING LICENSESLicenses are valid from March 1st, 2011 through April 30th, 2012. Allresidents and non-residents age 16 and older must have a fishing license.A trout stamp is required for all anglers fishing in a designated trout stream,designated trout lake, or Lake Superior. Children under 16 years old andadults 65 and older are not required to have a trout stamp. Licenses can bepurchased from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR)and from sporting goods stores. Licenses can also be purchased with a creditcard by phone at 888-665-4236, or online at mndnr.gov.

LICENSES AND FEESPrices include agent fee and surcharge. The pricing information applies for2011. For more details on fishing regulations, go to mndnr.gov.

ResidentIndividual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $17 Individual 24-hour. . . . . . . . . . $8.50Combination (husband & wife) . . $25 Trout Stamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10

Non-ResidentIndividual. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $39.50 Individual 24-hour. . . . . . . . . . $8.50Individual 72-hour . . . . . . . . . . . . $24 Individual 7-day . . . . . . . . . . . $28.50Youth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $17Combination (husband & wife) 14-day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $40.50Family (husband, wife, children under 16) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $52.50Trout Stamp (not required with 24-hour license) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10

BOAT LICENSESAll boats, canoes and kayaks (motorized or non-motorized, more than ninefeet long) used in Minnesota must be licensed or registered in Minnesota orin the owner’s home state. Watercraft can be registered in person at anydeputy registrar of motor vehicles. Boat registrations are valid for threecalendar years. Contact the Minnesota DNR at 800-285-2000 for moreinformation on registering your boat.

BOAT ACCESSMinnesota has over 1,900 public water accesses. Most are open 24 hours anddo not require a launch fee. Locate a boat access on a county water access mapor call 888-MINNDNR for more details.

MINNESOTA 2011 FISHING SEASONSTrout in StreamsApril 1-15 (catch & release)April 16-September 30 (September 14 in SE Minnesota)

Lake TroutJanuary 1-March 31May 14-September 30

Take-a-Mom Fishing WeekendMay 7 & May 8 (panfish only)

Walleye, Sauger, Northern PikeMay 14-February 26, 2012

Largemouth & Smallmouth BassMay 28-September 11 (begins May 14 in NE Minnesota)September 12-February 26, 2012 (catch & release)

MuskellungeJune 4-December 1

Sunfish, Crappie, Perch, Catfish, BullheadsContinuous

Note: Fishing regulations along Minnesota’s border waters may differ frominland waters. Find out more at www.mndnr.gov.

TABLE OF CONENTSSPRING 2011

FEATURE TOURNAMENT:Leech Lake Walleye Tournament 4

TOURNAMENTS = FAMILY FUN 6KING OF THE LAKE SALMON TRAIL 10

YOUTH SHOWCASE: Youth Bass 12FISHING TIPS: “Crunch Time” Musky 12

TOURNAMENT RECAP:Big Bass Bonanza 13

UPCOMING MINNESOTA TOURNAMENTS 14

A new day begins for walleyetournaments on Leech Lake...Walleye tournaments have been a tradition onLeech Lake for over 20 years. The entire LeechLake community has strongly supportedtournaments over the years with dozens ofvolunteers working to make them a success.The community is proud to say that thetournament tradition continues with the newLeech Lake Walleye Tournament.

Leech Lake Fishing Task ForceThrough countless hours of effort by the LeechLake Fishing Task Force, in conjunction with

the Leech Lake Band and the Minnesota DNR,they are realizing their goal of bringing backa strong and sustainable walleye fishery onthe lake. It began in 2005 with a cormorantcontrol plan and an aggressive stockingprogram. It is anticipated that by 2010, over100 million walleye fry will have beenintroduced into Leech Lake. The result of thiseffort has been a return to quality walleyefishing that is as good as it has ever been, withLeech Lake once again being one of thehottest walleye lakes in Minnesota. The LeechLake Walleye Tournament will showcase thiswalleye fishery recovery.

Welcome to the 3rd AnnualLeech Lake Walleye Tournament!

www.tournamentfishingtimes.com

4

BY JOHN KOHLHASE

Located on the hottest walleye lake in Minnesota, this is a non-profit family event with proceedsgoing to area organizations.

The response to the Leech Lake Walleye Tournament has been overwhelming - making it the largest walleye tournament inMinnesota. The positive feedback and response to this tournament has resulted in a competitive field of 155 teams for 2011,with an increase in the payouts to the anglers. Tournament proceeds will benefit the following local non-profit organizations:the Northstar Sportsmens Club, Wolf Pride and Let’s Go Fishing.

Be a part of this exciting tournament action! Register now for nearly $40,000 in cash and prizes.

June 4-5, 2011

Our Mission:The mission of the Leech Lake Area WalleyeTournament is to build a strong communityby providing financial support for area“non-profit” organizations and promotetourism through fishing and family recreation.

Vision Statement:To create a family-oriented, lake-friendlyfishing tournament that will develop into thelargest locally sponsored non-profit walleyetournament in the country.

Contact:Tournament Communications Director:Jim Tuller, 218-675-6176, swanbait@uslink.net

The 2011 LLWTNon-Profit Beneficiaries:NorthStar Sportsmens ClubA community based, non-profit, supervisedshooting sports facility. Providing accessfor youth, training classes and competitiveleague events. www.nssclub.org

Let’s Go Fishing With SeniorsCreated to enrich the lives of seniorsthrough free fishing and boating excursionsthat strengthen communities and buildrelationships. www.lgfws.com

WOLF PRIDEA fund to assist WHA students financiallyso they are able to participate in schoolsponsored activities.

To register or for more details contact JimTuller 218-675-6176 or visitwww.leechlakewalleyetournament.com.

• Leech Lake has 112,000 acres, a verydiverse lake with very irregular shoreline andprotected shallow and deep bays – most of itis undeveloped.

• Leech Lake is one of the hottest walleyelakes in Minnesota right now.

• Fantastic multi-species fishery for muskies,bass, pike, perch, panfish, as well as

walleye. Cormorant control and stockinghave lead to a boom in walleye and perchfishing the past few years.

• Many walleye tournaments, including theLeech Lake Walleye Tournament and theFLW Tour, are held on Leech Lake.

• Leech Lake has been a top muskiedestination for many years, but it is also

a top bass fishery in Minnesota with severaltournaments each year.

• Not just a fishing destination, the Walkerarea has other options for families:restaurants, shopping, biking & hiking trails,and water activities.

• Nearly 30 family-friendly resorts and hotelson Leech Lake.

Visit www.leechlake.org for more information.

“Thank you to all of the competitors and sponsors who made our 2010tournament a huge success. We look forward to your participation again in 2011”

Jim Tuller - LLWT Communications Director

FEATURE TOURNAMENT

LEECH LAKE,Minnesota’s Original “Up North”

www.fishleechlake.org

Being a dedicated tournament angleras well as a devoted father andhusband is an undertaking I embrace

every spring. Yes, the passion for familyalways supersedes, but that does not meanthe passion for fishing should have to suffer.Some of my fondest tournament memoriesare the ones I experienced with my sonsBlake and Beau and my lovely wife Brianna.With my family there to support me, it’s a biteasier to accept those times in which the‘big one’ got away. No matter what, the fishI do catch impresses them, and their supportat the weigh-in inspires me to stay focusedon my angling skills.If you are a tournament angler, then you

have a busy schedule throughout the year.Depending upon how many tournamentsyou choose to compete in, as well as theprestige of each event, will vary the amountof time spent on the water. When I plan myschedule for the upcoming season, I alwaysmake sure there are plenty of weekendsdevoted to quality family time, and many ofthe communities in which tournamentsare held are actually very family-friendly.Every year many tournaments are heldon Green Lake in Spicer, Minnesota—homeof Melvin’s on the Lake. Melvin’s primelocation on the beach, as well as their cozy

restaurant and bar, make it the perfectlocation for tournaments. For example hereare just 3 of the additional tournaments onGreen Lake in the month of June alone; TheLittle Crow Angler’s Walleye FishingTournament, Fishers of Men - MinnesotaTeam Division bass fishing tournament onJune 18 , and the West Central Green MillClassic fishing tournament – for Large andSmallmouth Bass on June 25, 2011. Thisentire area offers plenty to keep everyoneentertained, including amusement parks,movie theaters, shopping centers and muchmore. Location is the key to a successfulfamily-oriented tournament weekend.

The type of tournament and the style ofevent can add to the family’s enjoyment aswell as that of the angler. Last year’s SnagProof Open bass tournament on Leech Lakeis a perfect example. Three hours prior tothe weigh-in, kids ages 3 to 14 participatedin a special casting kids tournament. A frogfishing clinic was held in the marinawhere children played in the thick aquaticvegetation, casting and watching their frogsswim. The top casters in the children’s eventwere announced and posted next to theadult winners. Each kid took home a prizeand got a sneak peek into the weigh-in bags,you can bet jaws dropped at the sight of the

giant bass being brought to the scales. Thistype of interaction between kids and adultsis very helpful in keeping youth interestedin fishing. There are many events across theMidwest that incorporate families alongwith the angler’s desire to compete.

Tournament fishing with the family is notonly possible, but it can make the experienceultimately more successful. Effective pre-fishing can be done early in the morning,before the family is up for the day. Arriveback at the hotel as the kids are waking upand take them out on the boat for somequality time before the tournament. Let’sface it—if we compete in a tournament withour loved ones at the weigh-in, we want todo well, so take them along as you get toknow the water. One-day events are great forfamilies who want to focus on activities out-side of fishing. When Saturday’s tournamentis over, you can have the whole weekendtogether to explore the community.

Tournaments are fun for everyone. I enjoysharing my passion for fishing with myfamily and others. Tournaments are a hugepart of growing the sport and passing it onto the youth of tomorrow. There are manyevents set for the 2011 season in theMidwest for all different skill sets. Find onethat fits you and your family and go fish!

Tournaments =

BY CHAD KELLER

The Park Rapids area is a hubfor exciting tournament fishingaction. With over 100 lakes nearby,anglers have numerous opportunitiesto compete against others in weeklyclubs targeting walleye or bass. Fourmulti-species events are spreadthroughout the months of Maythrough September.

Two of the multi-species events—held only a week apart—take placeboth east and west of Park Rapids.The Walt Winskowski Memorial

Fishing Tournament invites anglersto hurl their fishing lines intoStraight Lake, a 423-acre body ofwater with abundant aquatic plantsand water clarity of 5.5 feet.

Because of Straight Lake’s lowerwater clarity compared to themajority of local lakes, fish of allspecies are less affected by high sunand calm water, making it a greatdestination for catching a whopperall day long (the Park Rapids BassClub’s record is 6.25 pounds from

Straight Lake). Entry forms can beobtained for the June 4th, 2011Walt Winskowski Memorial FishingTournament on Straight Lake bycontacting Jerry Janz (218-573-3365).

The Gene Cirks MemorialScholarship Tournament takes placeon June 11th, 2011 on the crystalclear waters of Lake Belle Taine.With nice cash prizes for a low entryfee of $110 per two-person team, the50 boat maximum field tends to fillquickly. Unique prizes like the Ole

and Lena Award for the top placingmale/female team and the IncrediblyMediocre Award for the teamfinishing in 25th place keep allanglers in the running for a cashprize, despite their fishing success.

For information on the Gene CirksMemorial Scholarship Tournament,contact Kelley Cirks (218-652-3063).Information on other area fishingtournaments is available from thePark Rapids Chamber of Commerceat 218-732-4111.

A Hub for Thrilling Fishing Action!

FamilyFun

www.tournamentfishingtimes.com

7

day one11 – 3:00 pmBond with your family at the CharacterChallenge Course located just 7 miles north ofPark Rapids. This recreational ropes course,designed for people ages 8 and up, is alsoused as an educational and team-buildingfacility that allows guests to stare fate in theface while entertaining you, building characterand creating lasting memories.3 – 5:00 pmCheck into your hotel and relax after anexciting afternoon.5 – 7:00 pmEnjoy a casual dining experience at ZhateauZorbaz. Their extensive menu caters to alltastes and their game room will entertain thewhole family.7 – 10:00 pmFamily entertainment awaits you at the LongLake Theater in historic downtown Hubbard.With two intimate theaters offering comedies,dramas and musicals, there is somethingfor everyone. This summer’s performancesinclude “A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline” and“Nunsensations.”

day two7 – 9:00 amEnjoy breakfast at your hotel, and then pack upfor a day at Itasca State Park.9 – 1:00 pmGet the camera and binoculars ready forexquisite scenery along the trails of ItascaState Park. Enjoy a picnic lunch near theMississippi Headwaters, swim or fish alongthe shores of the sparkling lakes or canoedown the river. There are endless activities forthe whole family to enjoy.1 – 4:00 pmCan’t get enough of the Park Rapidsarea? Make one last stop at theNorthland Bison Ranch in Nevis,Minnesota. View bison in their naturalhabitat while learning of the importanceof this sacred animal. Purchase bisonmeat and unique gifts to take home.

For more information or to customizethis sample itinerary, please contact thePark Rapids Lakes Area Chamber800-247-0054, www.ParkRapids.com.

Park Rapids Has Outdoor Fun for the Whole FamilyEight miles west of Park Rapids is Osage, Minnesota—Home of Straight Lake and theWalt Winshowski Memorial Fishing Tournament. Catch Muskie, Walleye, Northern Pike,Lake Trout and panfish in this competition for cash and prizes. Aside from fishing,there is plenty to discover in the Park Rapids area.

day one10 – 11:00 amChocolate lovers won’t want to miss a stop atMr. B’s Chocolatier. Inspired by some of thebest chocolatiers in Europe, the shop offers 55different handcrafted truffles and Belgianchocolates. So try some samples and takehome some treats from your stay in Willmar!11 – 1:00 pmStop for lunch at Willmar’s original hometownpizza maker, Jake’s Pizza. It’s a favorite amongthe locals and has been for over 35 years!1 – 4:00 pmEnjoy a hot summer day at the Dorothy A.Olson Aquatic Center. Their diving boards,waterslides, 6-lane recreation pool, concessionsand interactive play pool will keep the familybusy for hours.4 – 6:00 pmCheck into your hotel and freshen up for theevening’s events.

Summertime Excitementin WillmarThe Willmar Lakes Area invites you toenjoy their family-friendly attractions thissummer. Their festivals, dining, shoppingand outdoor activities appeal to folks of allages and interests—so add Willmar toyour list of summer destinations!

Continued on page 8h

Park Rapids Lakes AreaTOURNAMENTSFeb 5, 2011-Feb 4, 2012:

American Legion Community Fishing ContestFeb 12, 2011 - Feb 11, 2012:

Audreys Purple Dream Fishing TournamentJune 4, 2011:

Walt Winskowski Memorial Fishing TournamentJune 10-12, 2011: Take a Kid Fishing

June 18, 2011: Gene CirksMemorial Scholarship Fishing Tournament

Sept 10, 2011: Fall Classic Fishing TournamentSept 24, 2011: Fall Slam Fishing Tournament

www.tournamentfishingtimes.com

7

www.tournamentfishingtimes.com

8

day one11 – 12:00 pmArrive in Detroit Lakes and stretch your legsat the Lakes Area Farmers Market at CityPark. Pick out the best locally grown fruits andvegetables while enjoying the warm summersunshine.12 – 1:00 pmEnjoy lunch at the Country Kitchen Restaurant.Their extensive menu of comfort foods will hitthe spot.1 – 5:00 pmStroll down Washington Avenue—DetroitLakes’ downtown—and do some shopping.From its downtown mall in historic buildings, tospecialty shops offering clothes, housewares,toys and souvenirs, these shops have it all.Forget to pack something? You’ll find it here!Or if a day at the beach is more to your liking,they have a mile long sandy beach just callingyour name.5 – 6:00 pmCheck into your hotel and get the family readyfor dinner at the Lakeside Tavern.6 – 8:00 pmEstablished in 1891, there’s a reason theLakeside Tavern has been around for so

long: the great food and greatatmosphere. Enjoy a view ofDetroit Lake while feasting on one(or more) of their various menuitems. The tavern also offers a LightMenu and a Kids Menu.8 – 10:00 pmArrive back at your hotel for somerelaxation, or squeeze in some pooltime before bed. The AmericInn,

Holiday Inn and Best Western all have indoorpools for the family to enjoy.

day two7 – 9:00 amEnjoy breakfast at the hotel and get ready forthe day’s events.9 – 12:00 pmShop for antiques, collectibles and handmadecrafts at the Shady Hollow Flea Market, openholiday weekends and Sundays through thesummer. It’s a great way to spend time with thefamily while still enjoying the outdoors.12 – 2:00 pmEnjoy lunch at one of Detroit Lakes’ manyrestaurants and reminisce about the trip. Thenhead for home!

For more information or to customize thissample itinerary, please contact the DetroitLakes Regional Chamber of Commerce800-542-3992, www.VisitDetroitLakes.com.

Bring the Family to Detroit Lakesfor Fishing and More!Detroit Lakes is more than just a world-class fishingdestination, it’s the perfect place for a family vacation!From outdoor recreation to shopping, there is plentyfor your family to see and to do.

See You At The LakesWith more than 400 sparkling blue lakes within25 miles, Detroit Lakes offers fishing fun inall seasons. Located in northwest Minnesota,Detroit Lakes is the gateway to the lakes. Casta line for walleye, northern, bass, crappie,sunfish, trout, bluegill, perch, rough fish andtrophy-size muskie.

Didn’t bring a boat? A fishing pier and marinawith boat rentals are located along the mile-longsandy city beach of Detroit Lake. Popular speciescaught on this lake spanning over 3,000 acresare panfish, walleye and northern. Excellentfishing has also made Detroit Lake a populardestination for muskie anglers looking forcatches of 50 inches or more.

Local guides are available to take you tofishing hotspots in the Detroit Lakes area. Fora current report, call the toll free fishinghotline at 800-433-1888 or go to “reports” atVisitDetroitLakes.com.

Willmar Lakes AreaTOURNAMENTS

June 2011:

Little Crow Angler’s Walleye Fishing Tournament

Summer Classic Fishing Tournament

Minnesota State Fishing Championship

June 11, 2011:

Crow River Fishing Tournament

June 18, 2011: Fishers of Men -

MN Team Division Bass-Fishing Tournament

June 25, 2011: West Central

Green Mill Classic Fishing Tournament

July 2011: New London

Annual Kids Fishing Tourney

Aug 21, 2011: Big Bass Bonanza

Fishing Tournament

Sept 2011: Fall Classic Fishing Tournament

Continued from page 7

6 – 10:00 pmSpend an action-packed evening at KRASpeedway. Scream and cheer while watchingmodified & stock cars race around the 3/8-miledirt track at the Kandiyohi County Fairgrounds.

day two8 – 10:00 amEat breakfast at the hotel and spend a leisurelymorning with the family before checking out.10 – 12:00 pmEnjoy free admission at Kandiyohi CountyHistorical Society & Museum. Families arewelcome to explore exhibits highlightingtransportation, Indian artifacts and immigration.The museum is open 7 days a week fromMemorial Day to Labor Day.

For more information or to customize thissample itinerary, please contact theWillmar Lakes Area CVB 800-845-8747,www.WillmarLakesArea.com.

Detroit Lakes AreaFAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENTSJune 3-4, 2011: Street Faire at the Lakes

June 10-11, 2011: National Antique Car MeetJune 18-19, 2011:

Quake the Lake Powerboat RacesJuly 8-17, 2011: Northwest Water CarnivalJuly 27-30, 2011: Becker County FairSept 18-23, 2011: National K9 Dog Trials

day one12 – 3:00 pmArrive in nearby Pine River forsome horseback riding at thePine River Riding Stables.Whether experienced or abeginner, they have a horse foryou! Enjoy the scenery along thetrails as they meander throughthe 240-acre ranch. Hayrides arealso available.3 – 5:00 pmWalker/Leech Lake is located30 miles north of Pine River,check into an area hotel or resort,freshen up and relax before dinnerwith the family.5 – 7:00 pmThe Leech Lake Area offersseveral family-friendly dining

options. Enjoy all-American cuisineat Walker’s Beachfire Bar & Grillor a delicious healthy meal atWalker Fusion.7 – 10:00 pmSpend some quality time with thefamily at your hotel and get somerest before the next day’s events.

day two7 – 9:00 amEnjoy breakfast at the hotel andprepare for the day.9 – 11:00 amVisit the Cass County Museum& Historical Society and learnabout the early settlement of thearea and view original Ojibweartifacts. Read up on accounts ofunsolved murders of Cass County

and explore theirextensive archival files.11 – 1:00 pmEnjoy a “South of theBorder” lunch at CaféZona Rosa. Theirauthentic Mexican farecan be enjoyed insideor outside on their patio.1 – 4:00 pmGolfing, boating, swimming,biking along the many trails andexploring State Parks are amongthe options for your family today.Another choice could be theNorthstar Sportsmen’s Club.Youth and adults alike will enjoya safe, supervised shootingexperience from sporting clays toskeet to rifle and handgun target

shooting. An archery range is alsoavailable and membership orparticipation in a league is notnecessary to test your skills.

For more information or tocustomize this sample itinerary,please contact the Leech LakeTourism Bureau 800-735-3297,www.LeechLake.org.

10 – 12:00 pmGeocaching is a pastime that has becomemore popular every year. Search for a cachehidden outdoors using a GPS and sign thelogbook inside. It’s a new twist on treasure

hunting, and a great opportunityfor family bonding. Zippel Bayand Franz Jevne state parksparticipate in the geocachingprogram and invite you todiscover why it is so popular!12 – 4:00 pmOn the east side of Baudette isTimber Mill Community Park.Eat a picnic lunch while enjoyinga view of the Rainy River. Thepark also offers several play-grounds, two baseball fields, ahalf-mile track and even a

skateboard park!4 – 5:00 pmPitch a tent in one of the area campgroundsor check into one of the many comfortable‘up north’ resorts.5 – 9:00 pmEnjoy dinner at camp or at an area resort andride into town (in your car or on your bike),and snap a picture of Willie the Walleye,Baudette’s 40 foot Walleye! Plan tomorrow’sbig day out on the water charter fishing forthose delicious Walleyes!

For more information or to customize thissample itinerary, please contact Lake ofthe Woods Tourism 800-382-FISH,www.LakeOfTheWoodsMN.com.

Lake of the Woods: Come and Play!As the “Walleye Capital of the World,” it’s no secret that Lake of the Woods offers tonsof outdoor fun. Camp, fish, hike, bike and swim, plus winter snowmobiling and ice fishing!Just don’t waste your time indoors—you might miss something!

www.tournamentfishingtimes.com

9

BemidjiTOURNAMENTS

June 11, 2011:

Kraus-Anderson Walleye Classic

June 18, 2011:

Bemidji/Big Lake Plantagenet

Muskie Tournament

Leech Lake AreaTOURNAMENTS

June 4-5, 2011:Leech Lake Walleye TournamentJune 8 & 11 2011: FLW Walleye Tour

Aug 13, 2011: Portage Bay Muskie ClassicAug 20, 2011: Snag Proof OpenSept 9, 2011: 44th Muskie Inc.

Frank Schneider Jr. Memorial TournamentSept 24, 2011: Masters Bass Circuit

A Day in BemidjiWhether spending a day here or a wholeweek, there is plenty to experience inBemidji. Summertime offers severalopportunities for outdoor recreation andquality family fun. This is just a sample ofwhat your family could do!

10 – 1:00 pmKangaroos in Northern Minnesota? It’spossible! Paul Bunyan’s Animal Land ishome to almost 100 animals from all over theworld, making it Minnesota’s largest wildlifepark/petting zoo. Learn about local andexotic animals, eat a picnic lunch, purchasesomething in the gift shop and spend somequality time with your family.1 – 6:00 pmCreate lasting memories at the thrilling LakeBemidji State Park. Spend time boating onthe lake, biking the paths, hiking the trails orwatching the birds—the area offers it all!6 – 8:00 pmEnd your day in Bemidji with a relaxing dinnerat one of the area’s several restaurants.The Southside Restaurant on WashingtonAvenue specializes in home-cooked meals in acomfortable family atmosphere.

For more information or to customize thissample itinerary, please contact the BemidjiVCB 877-250-5959, www.VisitBemidji.com.

Lake of the Woods & Rainy RiverTOURNAMENTS

April 29-30, 2011:

Sportsman’s Lodges Annual

Sturgeon Tournament

May 21, 2011:

North Star Spring Walleye Classic

July 8-9 & Sept 15-16, 2011:

Minnesota Tournament Trail

June 25, 2011:

North Star Summer Walleye Classic

Sept 2011: Rainy River Walleye Tournament

Outdoor Fun in the Leech Lake AreaThousands of dollars in cash and prizes beckons anglers from all over to the Leech LakeWalleye Tournament. This year’s tournament will be held on June 4th and 5th and will be filmedby Midwest Outdoors TV! Bring the whole family for some great activities to enjoy while visitingthe Leech Lake area.

www.tournamentfishingtimes.com

10

Three port stops Summer 2011…

Tournament Fishing Times is proud to bring you the First Annual Kingof the Lake Salmon Trail on beautiful Lake Michigan, Summer 2011!

King of the Lake Salmon Trail begins in Two Rivers, Wisconsin (TBA).The second port will be held in Algoma, Wisconsin (TBA), followed by thefinal stop in Sheboygan on August 27th. All three of these ports are knownfor some of the best salmon fishing on Lake Michigan.

Pre-fishing for the events will be completed at 4:00 pm the Friday beforethe tournament. We will be hosting an event meeting on Friday eveningwith food, drinks and just plain socializing. Share fishing stories withfellow anglers and relax before the competition.

Fox Hills Resort will be the tournament host location for the Algomaand Two Rivers events. Check into Fox Hills early and enjoy some of theirgreat amenities offered all summer long, including lots of free boatparking and special room rates.

To register or for more details go towww.tournamentfishingtimes.com.

www.visitsheboygan.com

FISHING TIPS

www.tournamentfishingtimes.com

12

I’ve just arrived at the Stony PointLanding on Leech Lake. It’s 1:00 pm. Ihave an evening run scheduled for

4:00 pm with a few walleye enthusiasts.Needless to say I brought my musky poleand a few select plugs. The musky nut in mehad just two hours in which to catch one.Well, I not only caught a 49-inch solidmusky, but also caught a good look atanother chaser that was noticeably larger.

The 10,000-cast myth can be a factor forany musky angler, but there are proventactics that can keep you out of the club.Location is the biggest factor whentargeting musky. Once you key in on the“sweet spot,” success can be almost certain.My favorite musky sweet spots are foundnear “wolf packs.” Multiple fish areas arethe key to putting more fish in the boat.When I caught the 49-incher on Leech, I had

not fished in over a month, but had seenmultiple fish earlier in the year. It helps toknow of areas like this when having onlytwo hours to catch a fish. Single-fish spotsare great and can often hold the biggerfish, but finding the school puts more in theboat. The spot on Leech was no secret—it’sa main lake point. The clue was theVolkswagon-sized boulder just off the eastside of the point. Areas holding multiple fishusually contain multiple habitat benefitssuch as: inside turns, points, docks, rocks,thick vegetation, and deep water.Choosing the type of bait when you’re

short on time can be difficult. Just beconfident and have finesse. In such asituation, the Bull Dawg style – big softplastics work well. Minnow imitations areanother favorite of mine. If stealthy tacticsdon’t work, I will opt for another way tomake the fish bite. Topwater baits andbig bladed buck tails are my preferredchoice. They cause a lot of commotion and

can be worked fast. When not familiar withstructure, I will choose only fast-movingbaits and cover as many key areas that stickout on a map as possible. The more castsyou throw and the more areas you fish, thebetter the odds of catching the giant—fast!Whether you are fishing a lake or river

system, there is usually a spot in which tofind multiple musky on a fishery. I havefound multiple muskellunge spots on manylocations across Minnesota: Leech Lake, BigDetroit Lake, Lobster Lake, St. Croix River,Lake Minnetonka, Lake Alexander, SugarLake, and Lake Bemidji to name a few.There is nothing more exciting than havingover 200 feet of fish within casting distance.I hope to get on a ‘wolf pack’ this year andhope you can do the same!

Chad KellerGuide/Tournament Anglerchad@tournamentfishingtimes.com

The purpose of Youth Bass is to instill the wholesome passion ofbass fishing into today’s youth. We believe that by introducingorganized angling at a young age we are creating a solid

foundation to transition into the adult fishing ranks. Lastyear the federation held the Tournament of Championsevent at Camp Friendship on Clearwater Lake. Several

youth teams from the Minnesota region came to compete, including our champions Neiland Nate Molitor of the Granite City Club. This year we will be holding three events. Therewill be two events in June and a third event in August. The two-day event in August willonce again be at Camp Friendship on Clearwater Lake. The ultimate goal of this tournamentis to give the kids a chance to experience the fun and complexities of a large, multiple-dayevent while developing team-building skills and an appreciation for fishing. Adult anglersparticipate in the events as well, but not by competing. They volunteer their boats for thekids to use during the tournament as well as their time by mentoring and coaching thesebudding fishing enthusiasts. Youth Bass will also be assisting with other events around thestate this year. One of our favorite youth fishing events is the Urban-Rez Bass Challenge in Lake George,Minnesota. Each team consists of one Bass Professionals volunteer teamed up with urban and reservationkids. The combination of experienced anglers with underprivileged or inexperienced youth make it arewarding and fun day for everyone, which is what youth fishing is all about!

If you know of any youth that are interested in fishing an event or would like to joinone of the youth clubs in Minnesota they should give Peter Anderly a call at 612-669-9253.

What would you do if you had amere two hours to catch a muskyon a vast 112,000 acres?

“CRUNCH TIME”MUSKY

“I started Youth Bass to help createthe greatest experience possible for theyouth fisher-person in Minnesota.”- Peter Anderly

YOUTH SHOWCASE

www.tournamentfishingtimes.com

13

1) Horseshoe ChainRichmond, Minnesota - June 6, 2010The first Big Bass Bonanza event of the year wasa huge success. The gorgeous weather made upfor the difficult fishing. The 32 teams caught fishboth in shallow and deep water and found noparticular pattern more successful than another.The results at the weigh-in were lower thannormal, but anglers had a great time nonetheless!

1st Place: Chris Blank & Jeremy SchrantzWeight: 20.24 lbsPattern: Finesse senko, all largemouth.Sponsors: Gerard’s, Head of the Lakes,Eyes on Main, Scott Polipnick Masonry

2nd Place: Brandon & Bob Moore3rd Place: Jason Schlect & Nick ShawBig Bass: Todd Bissett & Dean Nalezny

2) Lake IdaAlexandria, Minnesota - June 20, 2010It was a great day for fishing on Lake Ida today.All but one of the 36 teams brought in a limit of8 fish and several teams reported catching 100 ormore fish throughout the day! The winning teamnot only won by a margin of 6.39 lbs, but all 8 oftheir fish were a healthy 3 lbs.

1st Place: Clarence & Terry RassmussenWeight: 24.20 lbsPattern: Fished tubes for bedding smallmouthand then fished chartreuse spinnerbaits forsmallmouth on flats.

2nd Place: Tom Wilkins & John Englund3rd Place: Rob Ronning & Randy VoylesBig Bass: Jason Schlect & Nick Shaw

3) Green LakeSpicer, Minnesota - July 11, 2010Green Lake, primarily known for its smallmouth,

displayed some hefty largemouth today. Thebeautifully sunny day put all 32 teams in apositive and competitive mood. Teams reportedcatching a lot of bass, but getting over the 2 lb.mark proved difficult. The top three teams allfinished with over 20 lbs of bass.

1st Place: Nick Gross & Paul RauschWeight: 22.15 lbsPattern: Fished dark colored tubes and dropshots around rocks for smallmouth.Sponsors: FutureBass.com

2nd Place: Andrew & Mike Nitchals3rd Place: Brandon & Bob MooreBig Bass: Brandon & Bob Moore

4) Lake MinnewaskaGlenwood, Minnesota - August 8, 2010The extreme heat and humidity did not keep thefish from biting today. The 39 angling teamsreached impressive limits. In fact, the winningteam of Nick Gross and Paul Rausch had animpressive limit of 25.52 lbs by 10 a.m.! It was asuccessful day for most, despite the temperatures.

1st Place: Nick Gross & Paul RauschWeight: 25.52 lbsPattern: Targeted largemouth on a weed flatin 14 ft-deep water with craw tubes, jig worms,and jigs.Sponsors: FutureBass.com, Pure Fishing

2nd Place: Jim & Phil Lokken3rd Place: Pat & Nasha MartinBig Bass: Aaron & Marc Anderson

5) Sauk LakeSauk Centre, Minnesota - August 22, 2010Another hot day in August breathes down theanglers’ backs as the pressure mounts today. Itis the final Big Bass Bonanza event of 2010

and teams scramble for some last-minutepoints before the Tournament of Champions inSeptember. The fish displayed quality of quantitytoday, with only eight of the teams reaching the8-fish limit, but several teams catching bass over4 lbs and two bass over 6 lbs! Congratulations toBrandon and Bob Moore who took home theTeam of the Year title!

1st Place: Chad Keller & Greg WiechmannWeight: 24.29 lbsPattern: Targeted docks and laydowns inshallow water and used jigs to catch their fishas the day wore on.Sponsors: Tournament Fishing Times,Capital Granite, Lutgen Companies, OvertimeInk, Line & Lure Conditioner, and BTS

2nd Place: Chris Blank & Jeremy Schrantz3rd Place: Rob Ronning & Randy VoylesBig Bass: Mark & Eric Mohr

6) Tournament of Champions,Lake Koronis

Paynesville, Minnesota - September 12, 2010The top ten teams of the year were greeted bya beautiful September sunrise on Lake Koronis.The pressure was high as they competed for thechampionship title. All ten teams reached the8-fish limit, but no team fished better thanNick Gross and Paul Rausch who weighed in awhopping 23.47 lb bag to finish the season.Congratulations guys!

1st Place: Nick Gross & Paul RauschWeight: 23.47 lbsPattern: Topwater, chug bug, and spook baits.Caught most of their smallmouth bag early on.Sponsors: FutureBass.com

2nd Place: Tony Dvorak & Kristi Lamser3rd Place: Chad Keller & Greg WiechmannBig Bass: Tony Dvorak & Kristi Lamser

1 2 3

4 5 6

TOURNAMENT RECAP

Official Standings of the2010 Big Bass Bonanza

DATE EVENT / LOCATION CONTACT / PHONE or EMAIL SPECIES*

7 25 Island Invitational / Pepin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Goering / 651-388-7851 W

8 Military Bass Anglers (MBAA) / Pepin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arnold Helgerson / 763-670-6553 B

21 Jeremy Rush Hiltbrunner Cystic FibrosisWalleye Tournament / White Iron. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Rush Hiltbrunner / 218-235-8134 W

21 North Star Spring Walleye Classic / Lake of the Woods . . . . . . . . . . . . Colleen Gibson & Kevin Olm / 218-643-9457 W

21,22 Minnesota Tournament Trail / Mille Lacs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Holt / 320-679-2825 W

31 Denny’s Super 30 / Minnetonka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Denise Nelson / 612-201-2406 B

1 Fishers of Men-Legacy Heartland Division / Minnewaska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Munson / 320-766-0184 B

1 Team Great Outdoors Series / Minnetonka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Tipler / 651-779-8216 B

4 Fishers of Men Minnesota Team Division / Clearwater. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dave and Tammy Shade / 612-280-1559 B

4 Kolar Toyota ALS Walleye Tournament / Island Lake Reservoir . . . . . . . . . . Sandy Judge / 612-672-0484 W

4 Lonnie Schultz Invitational Walleye Tournament / Miltona. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Patrick Bettin / 218-338-5221 WNB

4 Minnesota Fishing Challenger / Gull . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jim Kalkofen / 218-825-3732 NB

4 Minnetonka Classic Bass Tournament / Minnetonka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Larry Krohn / 507-357-6605 B

4 MREA 10th Annual Fishing Tournament / Rush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Al Czeczok / 218-252-7545 W

4 Northerns Inc. Tournament / Pelican . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve Allen / sjallen@brainerd.net N

4 Pooh Bear Open / Pepin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Goering / 651-388-7851 W

4 Reel Team Bass Tournament / Alexandria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Matt Gilbertson / 320-760-3748 B

4 Walt Winskowski Memorial Fishing Tournament / Straight Lake . . . Jane Larson / jane@parkrapids.com W

4,5 Leech Lake Walleye Tournament / Leech Lake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James Tuller / 218-675-6176 W

4,5 Minnesota Tournament Trail / Mille Lacs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Holt / 320-379-2825 W

5 The Ickler Open - Big Bass Bonanza / Horseshoe Chain of Lakes . . . Chad Keller / 320-980-0055 B

5 MFBA Northern Open / Pokegama, Blackwater… . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rick Pelletier / 952-270-3864 B

5 Military Bass Anglers (MBAA) / East/West Rush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arnold Helgerson / 763-670-6553 B

8,11 FLW Walleye Tour / Leech Lake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rick Rundquist / 218-252-0821 W

10-12 Take A Kid Fishing / Park Rapids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jane Larson / jane@parkrapids.com W

11 Crow River Fishing Tournament / Green Lake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Greg / 320-354-2423 W

11 Crosslake Ideal Lions Fishing Contest / Whitefish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joseph Doerfler / 218-692-2122 WNB

11 Culligan Invitational Walleye Tournament / Pepin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Herber / 507-289-0756 W

11 FLW Walleye Tour / Leech Lake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rick Rundquist / 218-252-0821 W

11 Kraus-Anderson Walleye Classic / Bemidji . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bob Fitzgerald / 218-759-0596 W

11 Metro Muskie Tournament / Bald Eagle, Bryant, Clear, Elmo… . . . . . . . . . . Paul Reese Hartman / 763-786-6031 M

12 Lake Country Sportmen’s Club17th Annual Walleye Tournament / Otter Tail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gary Harrington / 218-495-2226 W

12 Military Bass Anglers (MBAA) / Clearwater, Augusta, Otter… . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arnold Helgerson / 763-670-6553 B

14 Frankies Tuesday Night League / Big Marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Don Knutson / 651-347-0096 B

18 28th Annual Confidence Learning CenterFishing Classic / Gull . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jeff Olson / 218-828-2344 N

18 Bemidji/Big Lake Plantagenet Muskie Tournament / Bemidji . . . . . . Rory Potter / 218-368-2688 M18 Denny’s Super 30 / Ida. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dennis Nelson / 612-201-2406 B18 Fishers of Men - Minnesota Team Division

Bass-Fishing Tournament / Green Lake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dave Shack / 612-280-1559 B18 Gene Clerks Memorial

Scholarship Fishing Tournament / Park Rapids. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jane Larson / jane@parkrapids.com W

18 Lake Osakis Lions Club Walleye Tour / Osakis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Thesing / 320-859-4781 W

18 Nitti's Hunters Point Walleye Shoot-out / Mille Lacs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . George Nitti / 320-676-3227 W

18 Northerns Inc. / Cedar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve Allen / sjallen@brainerd.net N

18 Teamsters Local 120 / Mille Lacs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dace Schrunk / 612-735-5862 WB

18 United Northern Sportsmen’s31st Annual Walleye Fishing Contest / Island Lake Reservoir. . . . . . . . . . . . Joseph Roberts / 218-722-2711 W

19 Lake Minnewaska - Big Bass Bonanza / Minnewaska . . . . . . . . . . . . Chad Keller / 320-980-0055 B

19 Masters Bass Circuit / Gull Lake. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Daniel Beckstrom / 952-352-7035 B

20 Denny’s Super 30 / Minnetonka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dennis Nelson / 612-201-2406 B

22 Wednesday Evening Bassin’ / Minnetonka. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dennis Nelson / 612-201-2406 B

24 Fall Slam Fishing Tournament / Fish Hook. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jeff Renner / 218-732-3654 N

24,25 2011 Camp Confidence Pro Bass Team Tournament / Gull Lake. . . . . . . . . . . Jeff Olson / 218-828-2344 B

25 27th Annual West Battle Lake Walleye Tournament / West Battle . . . . . . . . . Michael Adkins / 218-864-09223 W

25 Fishers of Men Legacy Granite City / Clearwater, Grass, Otter…. . . . . . . . . Perry Whitney / 763-913-1995 B

25 Nitti’s Hunters Point Walleye Shoot-out / Mille Lacs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jason Bangers / 320-676-3227 W

25 North Star Summer Walleye Classic / Lake of the Woods . . . . . . . . . . Colleen Gibson & Kevin Olm / 218-634-9457 W

25 West Central Green Mill Classic Fishing Tournament / Green Lake Paul Shimek / 320-796-0801 B

26 Military Bass Anglers (MBAA) / North Center / South Center . . . . . . . . . . . . Arnold Helgerson / 763-670-6553 B

28 Frankies Tuesday Night League / Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Don Knutson / 651-347-0096 B

*Walleye, Bass,Northern Pike, Muskie

UPCOMING MINNESOTA TOURNAMENTSM

AY

JU

NE

A complete tournament schedule for Minnesota and other states, including Iowa & Wisconsin,online at: www.TournamentFishingTimes.com

http://www.bigbassbonanza.com/Content/Page/144

www.snagproof.com