Volunteers Needed…

We are looking for anyone that is interested in helping out the Hunger Task Force at McKinney  Marina 11:30 am until at the latest 5pm (or whenever they can stay until), for the Brew City Fish Tournament. They need a few people to filet fish and a few runners. Electric filet knives would be helpful if you have one.  Last year approximately 1200 - 1400 lbs. of fish were cleaned and given to Hunger Task Force recipients!

Click Here for more information

Tournament Anglers Help Prevent the Spread of Invasives

March 22, 2013

By Marie Zhuikov

Although ice remains on many Wisconsin lakes, today is the start of another season of fishing tournaments for Sea Grant staff across the Great Lakes. No, they’re not competing; they’re working to ensure that aquatic invasive species (AIS) aren’t spread by tournament activities.

“Fishing tournaments are known for their excitement and payouts as large as a half-million dollars,” said Phil Moy, Wisconsin Sea Grant’s advisory services manager and lead on the project. “Events can host up to 300 boats, which unfortunately can pose a risk for spreading unwanted plants and animals.”

Today’s tournament in ice-free Spring Valley, Ill., is hosted by The Walleye Federation. Organizers are expecting record participation. Moy will be at the tournament as part of a regional project designed to identify how tournaments spread AIS and to discover the best ways to educate anglers about prevention.

The project spans four years (2010-2014) and is in its final stages. Funding started through the National Sea Grant Office and then continued through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Partners include the Great Lakes Sea Grant Network, Wildlife Forever, the Bass Federation, the National Professional Anglers Association, Cabela’s Master Walleye Circuit and The Walleye Federation.

By talking to tournament organizers and surveying participants, project members have discovered that the vectors for AIS spread at tournaments include scales used to weigh the fish, holding tanks, hoses, measuring boards, and angler equipment.

The good news is that most anglers pay attention to the threat of invasive species. In a project survey of almost 200 tournament anglers, 90 percent said AIS are a serious to very serious threat. Many already take measures to prevent AIS spread, including draining water from their equipment, disposing of bait in the trash and inspecting their equipment for invasive plants and animals.

In another survey of Cabela’s Master Walleye Circuit champions, researchers discovered that the reasons some don’t take action is because they lack the time and motivation, they consider prevention measures inconvenient, or the anglers are unaware of the risk. They also discovered the best ways to reach anglers include word-of mouth, signs at tournament boat ramps and presentations to fishing clubs. The survey questions were developed by the Great Lakes project members with help from Wisconsin Sea Grant Social Scientist Jane Harrison.

To help reduce the chance of spreading AIS, tournament organizers used boat inspection lines that quickly checked boats prior to launch each morning, developed youth education clinics, and boat washing stations in cooperation with local scouting groups as well as adopting measures in the Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers campaign.

“This year, we really want to reach kids,” said Moy. “Angling kids, high school kids, and younger kids; the next recruit of professional anglers who are working their way up through the ranks. If we can instill in them the importance of not moving AIS around to preserve fishing, we expect we’ll have a longer-term and more meaningful impact.” Organizers plan to work with scouting groups and fishing clubs, which often provide support for tournaments.

Let the tournaments begin!

April 1 marks start of open period for 2013 fishing tournament permit applications

MADISON – Organizers planning fishing tournaments for 2013 can apply for their permits starting April 1, 2012, and should do so before June 30 to have the best chance of securing the date and water they want, state fisheries officials say.

There is a cap on the maximum amount of tournament fishing pressure allowed on some waters, so to give tournament organizers a fair shot at reserving their spots, the Department of Natural Resources runs an open application period from April 1 through June 30.

Permit applications from tournament organizers applying after June 30, 2012, for events in 2013 will be considered on a first-come first-served basis, according to Jon Hansen, the DNR fisheries biologist who coordinates the fishing tournament permit system.

All applications for 2013 events DNR received during the open period will be reviewed by Aug. 1, 2012, and in the unlikely event that another tournament conflicts with an organizer’s choice of dates or waters, DNR fisheries biologists will discuss options with the tournament organizers, Hansen says.

In 2011, 559 applications were approved from the 603 submitted. None of the applications were denied but some applications were withdrawn and some events cancelled.

Organizers can still apply for 2012 tournaments

Tournament organizers can still apply for 2012 tournaments, but the DNR must receive completed applications at least 30 days before the start of the applicant’s tournament, Hansen says. These applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until the caps have been reached.

Tournament organizers will need a permit if the tournament:

• involves 20 or more boats, or 100 or more participants;
• targets any trout species on waters classified as trout streams;
• is a catch-hold-release tournament with an off-site weigh-in;
• will have fewer than 20 boats but participants will cull bass; or
• has total prize value of $10,000 or greater.

An application fee must accompany all permit applications. The fee will vary depending on the type of tournament and the value of prizes awarded. For more details on the tournament rules and fee structure, to submit an application, or to view a tournament event calendar, visit the DNR website and search for fishing tournaments.

Tournament numbers down, but fishing hours and fish caught up in 2011

The number of fishing tournaments with permits declined in 2011 but anglers participating in those tournaments caught more fish and spent more time fishing than did tournament anglers in the previous two years, DNR statistics show.

Hansen speculates that the decrease in tournament applications, and thus permitted tournaments, largely reflects the fact that the tournament rules are now three years old and that organizers of smaller tournaments are learning they may fall under the thresholds necessary for a permit and so are not applying.

The 559 permitted tournaments drew more than 75,000 anglers and awarded prizes totaling nearly $3.2 million. Anglers fished 1.58 million hours and caught 98,205 fish and released about 48 percent of them, down from previous years.

Top counties for permitted tournaments included Winnebago County, with 50, Oneida County with 28, Waukesha and Polk with 25 each, and Vilas County with 22, Hansen says.

WI State HS Ice Fishing Championship

The Second Annual Wisconsin State High School Fishing Championship is coming up fast. WCSFO supports programs like this because we want to see the younger generation get involved in our Sport. They are our future. We need more programs like this.

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The purpose of the tournament is to support and promote students respectfully enjoying the outdoors.

Feb 25. Menomonie Park, Oshkosh, WI. This tournament is in conjunction with Battle on Bago.

1. High School students form teams of 5-10. $25/team. There is no limit to the number of teams per school.

2. Your team rosters, registration and $25/team must be received by Wednesday Feb 22. Email Greg Franzen at franzengreg@aasd.k12.wi.us to get the registration form. Fill it out, write checks to Oshkosh SW Rotory and send to: 

 

Greg Franzen

Appleton West HS

610 N. Badger Ave.

Appleton, WI 54914

3. All students must be from the same school.

4. Each team must have an Adult School Approved Chaperone/Coach that is present during the whole tournament and prize distribution. Teams must be predetermined and are allowed to fish together, but please keep their catches separate.

5. Students must catch and land all fish that are registered. Setting the hook, fighting and landing the fish must be done by students. Chaperones are not allowed to physically assist in anyway in the landing of a fish.

6. Chaperones are allowed to fish as long as they keep their fish separate at all times from the students’ catch.

7. Fishing for the HS tournament will be from 7:00am-1:30pm. You do not need to stop at the park before fishing.

8. Be in line to register fish by 2:00pm at the Tent at Menomonee Park in Oshkosh. You can weigh in 10 fish/team. Fish must be walleye, panfish(perch, bluegill or crappie), white bass or burbot.

9. The awards and prize drawings will begin at approximately 2:30pm.

10. The top three teams, based on weight, will receive a small trophy. The top 3 teams will get to pick a door prize in the order of finish. The remainder of teams’ names will be put into a drawing to pick a door prize. A list of door prizes will be sent out before Feb 25.

11. Teams are encouraged to sell raffle tickets for Battle on Bago. Schools will be reimbursed 60% of their raffle ticket sales. A check will be made out to the schools outdoor club fund and is meant to be used to promote students in the outdoors, especially fishing. The check will be sent out before the next school year. The tickets are to be sold for $5/each or 5 for $20. Make sure the stubs, extra tickets and money to Greg Franzen (see address above) by Wed Feb 22.

12. If for some reason, the HS portion of Battle on Bago gets cancelled, we will put all teams into a drawing at noon on Feb 25. We hope one advisor from each team can make it to Oshkosh to pick up the door prize.

13. Battle on Bago or its organizers can not ensure the safety of any participant. Going onto the ice can be dangerous and deadly. Safety is not the responsibility of Battle on Bago. Please exercise extreme caution on the lake. Lake Winnebago can be a very dangerous lake with unstable ice.

14. Ties will be decided by length of longest fish.

15. Teams are to take their fish with them and make every effort to clean and eat the fish.

16. Hotel information can be found at http://www.battleonbago.org/general-information/lodging.

-- REGISTRATION FORM – Click Here

4th Annual Battle on Bago

Make Plans to Fish the 4th Annual Battle on Bago

February 25th – 26th at Menominee Park, Oshkosh, WI

Tournament participants may begin fishing at 6am on Saturday, February 26th on Lake Winnebago only. Each participant may register one fish per ticket with no limit to number of tickets an individual can purchase. All state regulations and bag limits apply to this rule and no person may bring in more than the legal limit of fish allowed which include: Walleye, panfish (perch, bluegills, crappies), whitebass or burbot (eelpout).

Cash prizes will be determined by the weight of a single registered fish. In the event of a tie, the first fish registered with the same weight takes priority so participants are encouraged to weigh fish as early as possible. Otter Street Fishing Club will be handling the weigh-in with two scales in order to expedite the weigh-in process. All participants must be in line at Menominee Park no later than 1:30pm. Prizes will be awarded by 4pm and you do not have to be present to win. Cash prizes will be mailed within 7 days.

Click Here… for more information about Battle on Bago

80,000 competed in Wisconsin fishing tournaments

MADISON -- Eighty-thousand anglers competed in 595 fishing tournaments in Wisconsin in 2010 and reeled in $3.9 million in prize money, according to statistics from the state's fishing tournament permit system.

Larger fishing tournaments have had to get permits since the mid-1990s, but a 2004 law directed the Department of Natural Resources to update rules as tournaments increased. DNR worked with an advisory group to revise the rules to establish limits on the size and number of tournaments on some lakes and rivers to minimize concerns such as crowding, the spread of invasive species, and indirect fish mortality.

In 2010, there were 637 applications for tournaments; all but one were approved, although some applications were withdrawn or the forms incomplete, and some events were cancelled. "Based on what we've seen so far, there doesn't seem to be any major issues with the capacity limits -- tournament organizers are getting the lakes and dates they wanted," says Jonathan Hansen, one of the fisheries biologists who works on tournament permitting issues.

Joanna Griffin, tournament coordinator for the DNR, said the permit system and database have helped reveal just how popular tournament fishing is. "What's interesting is where all the tournaments occur and how much money, time, and effort is devoted to them."

2010 Fishing Tournament Fast Facts

Of the 595 approved tournaments, 61 percent were so-called traditional tournaments. A traditional fishing tournament is one that was issued permits 4 out of 5 years between 2004 and 2008 for the same water or waters and time period.

• 61 percent of the tournaments were catch, hold and release.
• Fully one-quarter of the tournaments were ice fishing tournaments.
• Tournaments took place in 64 counties; Winnebago County was tops with 37, followed by Oneida County with 32 and Waukesha County with 30.
• Anglers spent 1.4 million hours fishing in tournaments, down from 1.67 million in 2009.
• The number of fish registered in bass and walleye tournaments decreased with the decrease in tournaments from last year, however registered catch of Great Lakes salmon and trout, panfish, and musky all increased.
• Bass were the target of 421 of the tournaments in 2010, followed by panfish at 324 tournaments and walleye at 204.
• 99 percent of the musky caught in tournaments were released and 98 percent of the bass were released.

Tournament permits are required when any of the following apply: the tournament involves 20 or more boats, or 100 or more participants; targets any trout species on waters classified as trout streams; has a catch-hold-release format with an off-site weigh-in; or the total prize value is $10,000 or greater.

A full copy of the 2010 report is available on the fishing tournaments page of DNR website.

Ice fishing tournament organizers reminded to apply for a permit

Organizers of ice fishing tournaments will want to apply for a permit for their 2011 event as soon as possible -- applications must be submitted at least 30 days before their event.

And organizers of all tournaments -- open water and hard water -- can apply for permits for 2012 events as soon as April 1, 2011.

That's when the open period for applying for 2012 events starts, and it runs through June 30, 2011. Organizers applying during that the open period have the best chance of getting their desired dates and waters for 2012 events, says Hansen.

After April 1, permits are available on a first-come, first-serve basis so there is the potential of not getting the day and water desired, although that hasn't been a problem in the first two years of the permit system, Hansen says.

All applications received during the open period will be reviewed by Aug. 1, 2011, and in the unlikely event that another tournament conflicts with an organizer’s choice of dates or waters, DNR fisheries biologists will discuss options with the tournament organizers, Griffin says.

Carp catch and release tournaments; you can have 'em. We don't want them

Anglers of southeast Wisconsin and throughout the state prefer their native fish. Yet, the common carp, a relative of bighead silver carp, goldfish and koi, is attempting to jump from bow and arrow rough fish category to catch and release fish status in our state.

Unfortunately, making this invasive species one worthy of being released is like having a contest to see who can catch the most mosquitoes and then having all successful contestants release their unwanted blood suckers and disease transmitters back into our world.

Seeing carp in a contest where they are returned to their non-native waters is sickening. It shows that if we let it continue, we have sunk to a new level in not caring about our Wisconsin waters.

Carp replace our native gamefish, not on a one-to-one basis but in highly inflated numbers. Where 3- to 5- walleyes is a good number per acre for walleyes, common carp do fine when there are 75 per acre.

Common carp were brought to America by people, pre-dating our modern DNR, who wanted to get rid of native aquatic plants in their waters. The fish escaped rearing ponds into our native waters, and unwittingly, the blue heron spread the nuisance, big-scaled fish throughout our state. The adhesive eggs of the common carp stick to the skinny legs of the bird. The birds fly from waterway to waterway and transplant eggs.

To fish, “aquatic plants,” are wonderful. Pike cruise through and along the weeds in search of food. Bass cruise the outer and inner weed edges and hide amongst weeds to ambush day dreaming, smaller, prey fish and crayfish, the latter is the favorite dinner treat for smallmouth bass. Walleyes and pickerel use weeds, not only for oxygen but as an area to hunt food.

Hungry panfish use weeds for aquatic insects and for fish that eat these creatures. Find a nice, leafy aquatic plant, and it often holds bass or a musky. Let the carp take over, and these oxygen-producing weeds are gone and so are the bass, muskies, pike, etc., except for those fish that dine on carp, and these include flathead catfish and dogfish.

Is this the sad future of Wisconsin’s waters? Are they to be mostly carp, flathead catfish, dogfish, and bullheads?

Hopefully, fishing clubs, individual anglers, conservation minded organizations, lake associations, resort owners, tourism organizations, water skiers who don’t want to bounce off of big carp at full speed, boaters who don’t want to lose their lower ends to these swimming suitcases, conservation minded tournament promoters, those who contribute to conservation via their Wisconsin State Income Tax forms, and more will band together and stop the practice of removing carp and then restocking these nuisances via releasing the non-native fish back into our waters where they can reproduce to the level of native species elimination.

On May 8, 2010, there was a catch and release CARP (catch and restock?) Tournament/Fisheree in the Oconto River Harbor at Oconto. Fishing started at 8 a.m. & ended at 6 p.m. Entry fee - $25.00. This is the qualifier for the Wisconsin State Championship. (Who would tell anyone that they won?) To voice an opinion direct to the contact, call Lee Young at (920) 834-4494.

L.A. Van Veghel

3rd Annual Battle on Bago (Fish Contest)

Contact: Glenn Curran, (920) 410-0313 (email: info@battleonbago.org)
Website: http://www.battleonbago.org/
Details: Battle on Bago Dates:2/26/10 - 2/27/10 Event Type:Fishing Tournament/Fisheree
Location: Lake Winnebago State: Wisconsin Contact:Glenn Curran Contact Email: info@battleonbago.org Contact Phone: (920) 410-0313Web Site: http://www.battleonbago.org Details: 3rd Annual Battle on Bago at Menonimee Park Oshkosh. Over $60,000 in cash and prizes to be given away. All proceeds are directed towards various youth programs and conservation efforts in the state of Wisconsin. Please visit our website for updated information on ticket sales, and other tournament information.

3rd Annual - BATTLE ON BAGO...

For Kids & Conservation

Supporting Youth and Environmental Conservation Efforts

Battle on Bago was created in 2007 by a group of five individuals in order to support area youth and conservation efforts throughout the state of Wisconsin. Our strong foundation was built with the support of many area companies, volunteer efforts, and a dedicated committee resulting in net proceeds of $10,500 in 2008 (our inaugural year), and $40,340 in 2009.

Beneficiaries receiving funds embody our mission statement “For Kids & Conservation” and serve as just the beginning of a long list of organizations and youth Battle on Bago will benefit in the future. We continue to look for new ideas, partner with more businesses, and increase volunteer efforts each year to better serve all who attend our event. With over 3,000 in attendance last year from Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, and all over Wisconsin, we anticipate Battle on Bago 2010 to once again exceed our expectations and continue to have a positive impact on our youth and conservation efforts.

If you or your business would like to support “Kids and Conservation” please feel free to contact one of the committee members or send an inquiry to info@battleonbago.com.

February 26 & 27, 2010
Menominee Park
Oshkosh, WI

National Musky Open Expects Crowds of Competitors

Eagle River, Wisconsin - "More than 500 anglers are pre-registered and another 500 anglers are expected to register by tournament time for the annual National Championship Musky Open in Eagle River, Wisconsin, August 21-23, (2009)," according to Kim Emerson, Events Coordinator for the Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center.

"Over 1,000 anglers participated in this event in 2008 and we are looking forward to that many again this year," Emerson says.

"In 2008, entrants included 63 youth anglers and 65 husband & wife teams. Last year's anglers registered a record number of 193 legal muskies, with 49.5 inches being the largest fish caught and released," she adds.

"The National Championship Musky Open is a total catch and release tournament that provides great family fun for all ages and skill levels," she adds.

The annual event in Eagle River is put on by the Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center, along with Musky Clubs Alliance of Wisconsin Inc.

"Any angler wishing to still enter this tournament can register on line at http://www.muskyopen.com, or by calling the Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center at 800-359-6315 until August 1, 2009.

After August 1, 2009, registrations will be taken at the Vilas County Fairgrounds (Tournament Headquarters) starting Thursday evening, August 20, 2009. The cost is $50 if pre-registered by August 1, 2009 or $55 if registering at the tournament.

Registration includes a tournament hat and t-shirt and a chance to win a brand new 2009 Ranger Boat. Everyone who enters gets a chance to win a $20,000+ Mercury-Powered Ranger Boat with a RangerTrail Trailer and a trolling motor, whether you catch a musky or not!

For more information, contact the Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center at (800) 359-6315 or visit www.eagleriver.org .

Source: The Fishing Wire

Carp Anglers Invited to Participate In Free Tournament

We are inviting our fellow carp anglers to take part in the first ever FREE INTERNATIONAL ONLINE CARP FISHING COMPETITION. While doing something you enjoy, carp anglers around the world can win prizes and gain international recognition.

Currently there are 61 anglers registered from nine different countries and these numbers are sure to grow in time.

As the list of registered anglers continues to grow, more sponsors are showing their interest as well. A company who has recently been added to the list of sponsors for the Eastern Region is CC Moore. Known for their collection of quality baits and supplies, CC Moore supplied a variety of items to the Eastern Region Prize Table.

Another company added to the list of sponsors for the Western Region isBank Fishing Systems. This American company is a supplier of the most innovative bank fishing equipment available in the U.S.

YOU SHOULD KNOW !! -- The TOKS Big Four International Prize Table is getting BIGGER as we speak and will continue to GROW with each passing contest. As the TOKS Big Four International evolves, carp anglers in the many different regions of the world will be given the same opportunity for winning prizes; making this competition fun and fair for everyone.

WORLDWIDE RECOGNITION !! -- There are several international magazines interested in highlighting the different regional winners. MORE NEWS TO COME IN THE NEAR FUTURE!!

NOW EXPANDING !! -- As a result of our growing list of sponsors, two more regions will be added to the TOKS Big Four International. Also, we will soon introduce the Winter Contest sometime this year. STAY TUNED FOR THIS !!

NOTE: IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE, PLEASE CONTACT Ken@TheOnlineKeepsack.com

Check website here...

DOCK OF THE BAY'S MONTHLY BASS TOURNEY

Date: 7/18/09
Event Type: Fishing Tournament/Fisheree Location: Okauchee Lake
Contact: ERIN WALDRON - DOCK OF THE BAY
Contact Email: DOB@ISP.COM
Contact Phone: (262) 567-0977
Web Site: http://www.dockofthebayllc.com
Details: Sat. July 18 Best weight of 3 Bass Starts 6 AM Ends @ 12 noon $25 entry fee includes food and prizes after weigh-in Free Kids 12 & Under Division Dock of the Bay Pub/Grill/Beverage Center N51 W34950 Wisconsin Ave. Okauchee, WI 53069 262.567.0977

Musky Tale Resort's Mega Bass Shoot Out

Contact:	Bill (email: info @ haywardlakes.com)
Website:	http://www.muskytale.com/
Details:	Dates: 8/28/09 - 8/30/09 Event Type: Fishing Tournament/Fisheree Location: Chippewa Flowage Contact: Bill Contact Email: info@haywardlakes.com Contact Phone: (715) 462-3838715 Web Site: http://www.muskytale.com/ Details: Bass Tournament. Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Musky Tale Resort on Lake Chippewa Flowage. Call (715)462-3838 or visit our website at http://www.muskytale.com/ for more information

Wally Banfi on Walleyes & Muskies

Contact:	Glenn Furst (email: glenn1st @ centurytel.net)
Website:	http://www.ofcfish.com/
Details:	Wally Banfi targets Walleyes and Muskies on the Madison Chain at The Okauchee Fishing Club Date: 9/15/09 Event Type: Fishing Club Event Location: Knights of Columbus Hall, 1800 S. 92nd St, West Allis, WI Details: Guide Wally Banfi will share his experience and knowledge on targeting fall Walleyes and Muskies at The Okauchee Fishing Club (ofcfish.com) September 15th. The meeting starts promptly at 7PM at the easy to get to Knights of Columbus Hall, 1800 S 92nd St, west Allis, Wi (2 blocks south of Greenfield). Guests always welcome for only $4. Share current fishing reports

John Reddy Targets Walleyes

Contact:	Glenn Furst (email: glenn1st @ centurytel.net)
Website:	http://www.ofcfish.com/
Details	John Reddy targets Walleyes on Lake Geneva and Lake Delavan at The Okauchee Fishing Club Date: 9/01/09 Event Type: Fishing Club Event Location: Knights of Columbus Hall, 1800 S. 92nd St, West Allis, WI Contact: Glenn Furst Details: John Reddy will share his years of knowledge and experience on targeting Walleyes on Lake Geneva and Lake Delavan at The Okauchee Fishing Club (http://www.ofcfish.com%29/ September 1st. The meeting starts promptly at 7PM at the easy to get to Knights of Columbus Hall, 1800 S 92nd St, West Allis,Wi (2 blocks south of Greenfield). Guests always welcome for only $4. Expand your fishing knowledge and also share up to date fishing reports with club members. A great raffle with premium fishing equipment is also held every meeting.

Michaels Landing 11th Annual Walleye Tournament

Contact:		Michael or Tammy, (608) 339-9926
Details:		Dates: 10/09/09 - 10/11/09 Event Type: Fishing Tournament/Fisheree Location: Castle Rock Lake Contact: Michael or Tammy Contact Phone: (608) 339-9926 Details: walleye's only.....rules meeting will be at 8:00pm on Friday October 9,2009. Sign up start's at 6:00pm.......start time on Saturday October 10,2009 will be at 7:00am boat check will start after 6:00am and weigh in will be at 3:00pm......start time on Sunday, October 11,2009 will be at 7:00am... boat check starts after 6:00am and weigh in will be at 2:00pm......food and door prize will be after weigh in.

Terry's Bar 2009 Walleye Tournament

Contact: Pat Purtell c/o Terry's Bar (920) 235-8280

Terry's Bar 2009 Walleye Tournament Date: 5/16/09 Event Type: Fishing Tournament/Fisheree Location: Butte Des Morts State: Wisconsin Contact: Pat Purtell c/o Terry's Bar Contact Email: iabzguy@ntd.net Contact Phone: (920) 235-8280 Details: 2 person teams, 6:00am - 2:00pm $60.00 per boat, - 50 boat limit, Food, Cash, Beer...Team Meeting Wed May 13, 2009 @ 6:00 - Terry's Bar 688 N Main St. Oshkosh, Wi 54901

New fishing tournament rule effective May 1

MADISON – A new Wisconsin fishing tournament rule goes into effect May 1, 2009.
The rule aims to reduce user conflicts and complaints about crowding by spreading out tournaments that exceed size limits, according to Mike Staggs, Wisconsin’s fisheries director.

The rule will also help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species and Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia or VHS disease.

“This rule allows fisheries biologists to work with tournament organizers to help make sure that tournament participants don’t accidentally introduce these invaders into new waters via their bait, fishing equipment, or boats,” Staggs says.

Fishing tournaments with more than 20 boats or 100 participants will need a permit under the new rule. Those tournament organizers needing a permit would have to pay an application fee to cover some of the cost of the fishing tournament program.

“For those tournaments that actually need a permit, we’ve kept the fee affordable,” Staggs says. “The vast majority of tournaments that need to get a permit will pay a $25 fee, and tournaments aimed at providing fishing opportunities for kids and disabled people are free.”

“We don’t expect many events to be affected by the size limits, and if they are, we’re confident we can find agreeable solutions to most scheduling conflicts,” Staggs says. “And in the coming years, we’ll be evaluating the effect of the rule and how it may influence tournament activity.”

Tournament organizers who already have their permits for future tournaments or those who apply before the May 1 deadline will not be affected by the new tournament rule. Organizers can now easily plan and apply for a fishing tournament permit online. A new, searchable calendar is available that allows organizers, participants, anglers, and all water users to see which waters already have fishing tournaments scheduled. For more details on the new rule, visit the DNR fishing tournament Web site.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Joanna Griffin (608) 264-8953 or Jon Hansen -(608) 266-6883

Brandy Lake Ice Fishing Contest

Fourth Annual Brandy Lake Ice Fishing Contest

Date: 2/28/09
Event Type: Fishing Tournament/Fisheree
Location: Brandy Lake (Cecilia)
State: Wisconsin
Details: Contest will start at 7:00 a.m. at the Brandy Lake Boat Landing and end at 3:00 p.m. at the Boat Landing. Five classes - 1st, 2nd & 3rd prizes for each class. Prizes include: Ice Augers, Portable Ice Shacks, Vexlars, Underwater Cameras, Cash and much more. Lunch will be provided at noon for all participants. Entry fee $25.00

Contact: Brad Schillinger (715) 614-6961

Battle on Bago Fisheree (Feb 27-28)

Battle on Bago Fisheree Site

Troy Peterson - 920.810.4570 - Glenn Curren - 920.410.0313

Friday, February 27, live music by CopperBox, 7:00 pm - 10:30 pm

Saturday is the Battle - Fishing Contest From 6:00 am - 2:00 pm. The Tournament is scheduled for February 28, 2009 from 6:00 am, until 2:00 pm on Lake Winnebago with official weigh-in starting at Menominee Park in Oshkosh by 2:00 pm. Contestants will be allowed to fish Lake Winnebago and weigh one fish per ticket of any of the following species: Walleye, panfish (perch, bluegills, crappies), whitebass or burbot (eelpout). Any other fish not listed here will not be eligible for registration.

Fish may be taken with tip-ups or by rod and reel. There is no age requirement on tournament participation. Contestants may purchase as many tickets as they like and register one fish per ticket. Raffle Prizes Drawn Saturday Afternoon - 3:00 pm. All Proceeds From Battle on Bago go towards local youth fishing programs like "Reel' in the Youth" and The Otter Street Kids Fisheree along with other conservation efforts on the Lake Winnebago System.