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2009 Skeeter SX190 Sold!

Dave Huttner, Sportsmen Bassmasters, had the winning bid of $18,000 for the 2009 Skeeter SX190 dual console / Yamaha 150HP boat package, which is valued over $24,000! View Auction Details

Skeeter Launches New Federation Nation Retail Program Reasons to Join Your Local Federation Nation Chapter are Even Greater

April 14, 2009
Kilgore, Texas
As the Official Boat Sponsor of BASS, Skeeter’s management team knew this was an excellent opportunity to put its product in front of the most avid fishermen in the world – the BASS Federation Nation. Knowing that this group has high expectations from anything and everything “bass fishing,” Skeeter is proud to introduce an exciting new retail program for 2009 - the Skeeter/Yamaha BASS Federation Nation Program – exclusively for Federation Nation members.

“The BASS Federation Nation is the heart and soul of our great sport of bass fishing,” says Jeff Stone, Senior Vice President/General Manager of Skeeter. “The Federation Nation provides a solid foundation that will support both the competitive and recreational aspects of the sport well into the future. Skeeter is proud to support the Federation Nation, and we are confident that this new retail program will expose Federation Nation members to Skeeter’s stellar line-up of bass boats,” Stone added.

The Skeeter/Yamaha BASS Federation Nation Program provides cash-back rebates for in-stock and ordered Skeeter/Yamaha packages until March 2, 2010, extends Skeeter’s ‘Real Money’ tournament incentive program by offering up to $3,000 for a sanctioned tournament win and adds a two year Yamaha Extended Service (Y.E.S.) contract on qualified Skeeter/Yamaha boat packages. BASS Federation Nation members will also be interested about Skeeter’s $50,000 cash incentive for a victory at the 2009 Federation Nation Championship, and $100,000 cash incentive for a Bassmaster Classic victory. “Don’t think for a second that a Federation Nation member can’t keep up with the superstars at the Bassmaster Classic,” says Skeeter’s National Sales Manager, Ben Jarrett. “During this year’s Classic, Skeeter/Federation Nation member Bryan Schmidt finished the Classic in 6th place, and even spent time in the ‘hot seat’ as the leader of the Classic on the final day of competition,” says Jarrett.

Skeeter Products, Inc., the Official Boat Sponsor of BASS, makes fishing and boating fun and rewarding with an owner’s tournament, its ‘Real Money’ incentive program, and a top-notch dealer network. For more information about the Skeeter/Yamaha BASS Federation Nation Program, check with your Chapter, drop-by your local authorized Skeeter dealer, or visit www.skeeterboats.com.

DNR Urges Extra Precautions for Prior Lake

April 10, 2009

A recent discovery of zebra mussel shells in Prior Lake means boaters and anglers should take extra precautions when using the popular southwestern metro lake, according to officials from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Although officials aren’t certain whether the shells originally came from live zebra mussels in the lake or were brought to the area on equipment and fell off, they said it’s likely the lake is infested.

After a homeowner reported finding unusual looking shells along the southeast shore of lower Prior Lake, DNR biologists found about a dozen empty zebra mussel shells. DNR staff will look for zebra mussels in Prior Lake as soon as ice is off the lake and will designate the lake as infested if live zebra mussels are found.

A nonnative invasive species, zebra mussels pose serious ecological and economic threats to Minnesota’s lakes and streams. Heavy infestations can kill native mussels, may impact fish populations, can interfere with recreation, and can increase costs for industry, including power and water supply facilities. Native to Eastern Europe and Western Russia, zebra mussels were first discovered in Minnesota in 1989 in the Duluth harbor. They subsequently have spread to eight inland lakes, including Mille Lacs, and to portions of the Mississippi, St. Croix and Zumbro rivers.

If the presence of zebra mussels is confirmed in Prior Lake, it could pose risks for other waters, said Luke Skinner, supervisor of DNR’s invasive species unit.

“As one of the larger lakes in the Twin Cities metro area, Prior Lake has significant boat traffic, with people coming and going all the time,” Skinner said. “Everyone is going to have to be extra vigilant to keep from spreading these pests to other waters.”

Boaters can help prevent further spread of zebra mussels and other invasive species by taking a few simple extra precautions:

inspect and remove all visible aquatic plants, animals and mud from boats, trailers and equipment such as anchors before leaving a water access;

inspect and remove all visible aquatic plants, animals or mud from docks, boat lifts and swim rafts before transporting to another water;

drain all water from boats - including live wells, bilges and bait buckets - before leaving a water access;

spray or rinse boats with high pressure and/or hot water, or let them dry thoroughly for five days before transporting to another water.

The DNR steps up inspections, enforcement and education around infested waters. Under Minnesota law it is a misdemeanor to transport water or prohibited invasive species from designated infested waters.

View related Star Tribune article

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Berkley Experience Headed to Rogers, Minnesota

April 14, 2009
Columbia, South Carolina
The Berkley Experience Trailer is headed to the Cabela's store in Rogers, Minnesota. The trailer will roll in April 17 - 19 and will offer demonstrations and interactive games for kids and adults.

The Berkley Experience Trailer gives the everyday angler the opportunity to view baits in the Berkley line and chances to see the baits in action. Kids and adults alike will enjoy fishing games and competing in knot tying contests.

"We want everyone young and old alike to enjoy the Berkley experience," said Andrew Marks, Berkley Marketing Manager "In addition to our bait and line interactive displays we will have Abu Garcia reel demonstrations, interactive touch screens to learn how to "Catch More Fish" and a showcase for our latest and most innovative fishing products."

Special sales and promotions will be offered wherever the Berkley trailer stops. If you are unable to make it by the trailer and test the interactive components in Rogers, Minnesota, look at the upcoming events.

April 17 - 19
Cabela's - Rogers, Minn.
20200 Rogers Drive
Rogers, MN 55374
Phone: 763-493-8600

Upcoming Events
April 23 - 25 - Scheels, Fargo, S.D.
April 30 - May 2 - Scheels, Bismarck, N.D.
May 6 - 8 - Gander Mountain, Forest Lake, Minn.
May 15 - 18 - Scheels, St. Cloud, Minn.
May 22 - 24 - Sportsman's Warehouse, Rocklin, Calif.

Recreational Fishing in the Pacific Ocean is in Peril

October 15, 2008
Contact: Gordon Robertson, vice president and Government Affairs lead, 703.519.9691, x237, or Patty Doerr, Ocean Resource Policy director, x244.

Anti-recreational fishing groups seek to ban recreational fishing in pending Pacific Ocean marine protected area designations

The Situation
In spite of President George W. Bush’s recent memo and an Executive Order which clarified that recreational fishing should be sustained in marine protected area designations, recreational fishing opponents are intensively lobbying the White House and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to ban recreational fishing in vast areas of the Central Pacific Ocean.

This sets a dangerous precedent regarding recreational fishing in any federal waters, saltwater or fresh, which the Executive Order and Executive Memo was designed to protect.

Please act now! Your help is needed to support recreational fishing in the Pacific today and on your coastline in the future.

To maintain recreational fishing in the Pacific Ocean and all federal waters, we are asking you to tell the White House and NOAA to stay the course and uphold the President’s decision regarding recreational fishing.

SEND YOUR MESSAGE NOW!
The White House is taking public comment until October 26, 2008. As a recreational angler, please do your part to bring balance to this process.

Send a message to the White House Council on Environmental Quality and NOAA in support of recreational fishing. In a matter of seconds they will receive your message.

Thank you very much for doing your part to Keep America Fishing.

Background
Contrary to an August 25, 2008, Presidential Memo and a September 26, 2008, Presidential Executive Order directing federal agencies to sustain recreational fishing in federal marine protected areas and all federal waters, anti-recreational fishing groups are seeking to have recreational fishing banned in vast areas of the Central Pacific Ocean. This is a dangerous precedent to set in any U.S waters, marine or fresh.

Even though regulated recreational fishing presents no threat to fish stocks in these areas and there is no evidence that recreational fishing is harming the ecosystem, many environmental groups are lobbying the White House and federal agencies to adopt their anti-recreational fishing philosophy regarding Pacific Ocean conservation.

These groups have mounted a letter writing campaign to convince senior officials in the White House and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that recreational fishing should be banned in thousands of square miles in the Central Pacific. They say: “Unfortunately, the final designation of these areas may allow some fishing…” and that “Declaring these monuments as fully-protected no-take reserves… is crucial for meaningful stewardship of our imperiled oceans.”

On September 26, 2008, President Bush signed an amendment to the 1995 Executive Order on recreational fishing. This amendment directs that federal agencies must maintain recreational fishing on federal lands and waters, including marine protected areas. The Executive Order revises Executive Order 12962 signed in 1995 by President Bill Clinton.

The August 25, 2008, Executive Memo signed by the President set the stage for the new Executive Order. The memo directed the Secretaries of Defense, Interior and Commerce and the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality to sustain access to recreational fishing as part of their study of potential marine protected areas (MPA) in the Central Pacific Ocean.

Thank You From the MNBFN Tournament Director

September 12, 2008
With the 2008 Tournament of Champions on the books, we give all the thank you’s to our sponsors for helping and others for the job they do to make the tournament run. I give my greatest thanks to those people who really do help make it run, without them we would not be able to even have a Tournament of this size. This thanks is for the alternates and volunteer workers:

Kathy Ludenia and Joan Lindgren for taking care of the scoreboard and weigh slips. Kathy and Joan have been giving their time to the MNBFN for years. Joan also got up early in the morning to help shuttle the anglers back from the parking area to the ramp.

Mary Nordlund & Stephanie Burcusa for helping organize the angler profiles and making sure our clip board people got them in the right order.

Steve Soukup for doing a great emcee job again.

And of course to all the alternate anglers who unfortunately I could not send to the TOC, even though they all deserve to go. Tyler Cysiewski, Bass Wranglers, Mike Juskiewicz, Golden Hook Bassmasters, Jason Elmes, Gopher Bassmasters, Bill Neuman, West Central Bassmasters our master plumbers,, Chris Klinkhammer, Granite City Bassmasters, Dan Norling, Lakes Area Bassmasters, Tracy Quandahl, Upper Iowa Bassmasters, Jay Swanson, Prior Lake Hook Setters, Don Klees, Bass Seekers, Roger Diesen, Happy Hookers Bassmasters, Larry Magel, West Metro Bassmasters, and Travis Krogh, River Rats Bassmasters, Loren Jannet, Team Ambassador.

Dale Richardson, Paul Perovich, Mickey Goetting, and Paul Becka for helping with the registration Wednesday night.

A very special thanks to Tim Allen, Zumbro Valley Bassmasters our host club, for being my right hand man on the deck. Tim was there 100% of the time (as you could probably tell by his 5-day old beard) when I needed him to run areas, put me in the right direction for things we needed, the list goes on.

And finally last but far from least, Mark Gomez, who took time out of his week to come down to Wabasha and be our weigh master. Mark was an incredible amount of help behind the scenes all week with me and Tim.

To the host club Zumbro Valley Bassmasters and all their members.
So thank you to all our alternate workers and volunteers for your hard work.
Peter Perovich
Minnesota BASS Federation Nation
Tournament Director

Randy Wieczorek Edges Out Andy Nitchals to Become the Minnesota Bass Federation Nation State Champion 2008

September 5, 2008
Wabasha, MN
Minnesota’s best amateur bass anglers tackled the sprawling waters of the Mississippi River for the Minnesota B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Tournament of Champions. Day one went like clockwork; all the anglers were on the water by 8:00 a.m. The perfect weather proved to be an advantage as the many bags of both largemouth and smallmouth bass brought to the scales prove the Mississippi River is a diverse and fertile bass fishery.
Read full story and results

BASS Discontinues BASS Club World Championship

September 2, 2008
B.A.S.S. Communications
BASS announced today the organization will discontinue the operation of the BASS Club World Championship (BCWC) increasing focus on its grassroots efforts including the BASS Federation Nation Divisionals, the BASS Federation Nation Championship and the Bassmaster Opens.

As previously announced, Wagoner, Okla., and Fort Gibson Lake will host the 2008 BASS Club World Championship, set for Oct. 9-11. The event will feature 38 six-angler teams that qualified for the championship event through their performance at six regional events.

"We introduced the team format to provide more competition outlets for our Federation Nation members," said Don Corkran, director of the BASS Federation Nation. "Ultimately, it didn't resonate as well as we would have liked. We feel that this move will allow us to put more focus on grassroots events with direct qualifying avenues into the Bassmaster Classic."

$1 Million Grand Prize Goes to Stay-at-Home Minnesota Dad

August 21, 2008
Michael Thompson of St. Michael, MN wins first $1 million payout in the history of fantasy sports. Also Jeff Nelson of New Brighton, MN wins a$10,000 Walmart Gift Card
View FLW Outdoors article
View FLW Outdoors video

Minnesota Finishes 2nd at Northern Divisional

With 3 of the top 7 anglers from Minnesota, Minnesota finished second behind Wisconsin in team standings. Rick Billings, Zumbro Valley Bassmasters finished first on the Minnesota team and will advance to theFederation Nation National Championship scheduled for Kansas' Milford Lake in November.
Minnesota Divisional Team

Standing: Ryan Brant, Nick Gross, Bob Sanquist, Joe Barnett, Bill Ludenia, Rick Billings, Chris Jung, Rick Hemaseth
Kneeling: Chuck Steinbauer, Jeremy Crawford, Rich Lindgren, Chad Kastenbauer

View Bassmaster story and results

Minnesota BASS Federation Crowns Two New Junior State Champions Lindgren and Reed Dominate at the 2008 Junior Tournament of Champions

June 27, 2008
Serpent Lake, Crosby, MN

Lucas Lindgren of Gopher Jr. Bassmasters and Keenan Reed of the Bassinators dominated this year’s class at the Minnesota Junior Tournament of Champions. Lindgren brought in a mixed limit of smallmouth and jargemouth weighing 11.81 lbs to win the overall “Top Hook Award” along with the senior division.

Keenan Reed worked a jig and a 4” black worm all day to win the junior division with a very convincing 10.19 lbs. Reed also showed he could keep up with the older class with a very impressive fifth place in the overall completion.
View full story and standings

Toyota Trucks Bonus Bucks

Toyota Trucks Bonus Bucks - a special program to benefit BASS Federation Nation members and their states programs. Bonus Bucks is bass fishing’s only tow-vehicle contingency program, and it provides the opportunity for anglers to earn extra cash for pulling their boat with the best tow-vehicles on the road, the Toyota Tundra & Sequoia.

Benefits for Federation Nation Anglers:

Free Toyota Trucks clothing package to each angler registered for the program.
$500 to each registered state team member. (Current state team members, who qualified in 2007, and are registered for program are also eligible for this bonus.)
$1,000 to each registered State Qualifier to fish the National Championship.
$5,000 to the highest placing registered angler at the National Championship - November 3-8, Milford Lake, Junction City, KS.
$2,500 to the second highest placing registered angler at the National Championship - November 3-8, Milford Lake, Junction City, KS.

Matching Funds for Federation Nation State Programs:

These funds are paid direct to state programs, based on above mentioned individual angler performances.

$250 to each state for each registered state seam member.
$500 to each state for registered state qualifier to fish the National Championship.
$2,500 to the state whose angler is the highest placing registered angler at the National Championship - November 3-8, Milford Lake, Junction City, KS.
$1,250 to the state whose angler is the second highest placing registered angler at the National Championship - November 3-8, Milford Lake, Junction City, KS.

To learn more about this exciting contingency program contact us:
Toyota Trucks Bonus Bucks Program
bonusbucks@dynamicsponsorships.com
Kendell Callaway or Lance Peck
(918) 742-6424

Classic Update

Listen to Brent after the final practice day: http://www.catch-n.com/audio/bh2.mp3

Read BassFan's interview of Brent Haimes and other Classic Federation Nation qualifiers

Brent's day 1 weight:
5 bass 8-7 38th place
Brent's day 2 weight:
2 bass 3-3 45th place

View real time leaderboard

OPTIMA Batteries Joins BASS as Sponsor

February 7, 2008
Celebration, Florida
OPTIMA Batteries, The Ultimate Power Source, and BASS, the worldwide authority on bass fishing, announced Tuesday that Milwaukee, Wis.,-based OPTIMA has joined BASS as a supporting sponsor of the organization and its prestigious tournament structure. View Bassmaster Press Release

Skeeter Products, Inc., Signs with BASS

January 22, 2008
Celebration, Florida
Skeeter Products, Inc., manufacturer of Skeeter brand high performance boats, and BASS, the worldwide authority on bass fishing, announced Tuesday that Kilgore, Texas-based Skeeter has joined BASS as an Official Boat sponsor of the organization and its prestigious tournament structure.

As part of the agreement, Skeeter becomes a premier sponsor of the Bassmaster Classic, Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens and the Women's Bassmaster Tour presented by Academy Sports & Outdoors.

Skeeter will also sponsor the six BASS Federation Nation Divisionals and Federation Nation Championship, with additional commitment to BASS' youth initiatives: the Bassmaster CastingKids Championship and the Junior Bassmaster World Championship.

"This is a great way for Skeeter to kick off its 60th anniversary as both Skeeter and BASS share a rich heritage in the bass fishing industry," said Jeff Stone, senior vice president and general manager of Skeeter. "It is only fitting that we combine our passion for the sport to embrace and further enhance the success and growth of tournament fishing."

Skeeter will have a presence at Bassmaster Elite Series events and the Bassmaster Classic. Additionally, Skeeter will be the presenting sponsor of the BASS Federation Nation Club World Championship.

The agreement also includes a large presence across BASS' considerable multi media platforms, including ESPN2 Outdoors programming, www.Bassmaster.com and www.ESPNOutdoors.com.

Both organizations are celebrating significant milestones. In 2008, Skeeter turns 60 while BASS is celebrating its 40th anniversary.

"We are delighted to celebrate the 40th anniversary of BASS with Skeeter Boats as an official boat sponsor," said Tom Ricks, vice president and general manager of BASS. "We know their reputation in the industry and applaud their devotion to growing the sport of bass fishing."

Yamaha Motor Corporation Signs with BASS

January 22, 2008
Celebration, Florida
Yamaha Motor Corporation and BASS, the worldwide authority on bass fishing, announced Tuesday that Kennesaw, Ga.-based Yamaha has joined BASS as an Official Engine sponsor of the organization and its prestigious tournament structure.

As part of the agreement, Yamaha becomes a premier sponsor of the Bassmaster Classic, Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens and the Women's Bassmaster Tour presented by Academy Sports & Outdoors.

Yamaha will also sponsor the six BASS Federation Nation Divisionals and Federation Nation Championship, with additional commitment to BASS' youth initiatives: the Bassmaster CastingKids Championship and the Junior Bassmaster World Championship.

"By becoming a sponsor of BASS, Yamaha promotes its brand and supports boating and fishing, which are activities we truly believe in," said Ben Speciale, vice president, operations and planning for Yamaha Marine Group. "Reliability and innovation are at the core of the Yamaha brand and the demands of competition have taught us how to make our outboards even better."

Yamaha will have a presence at Bassmaster Elite Series events and the Bassmaster Classic. Additionally, Yamaha will be the title sponsor of the BASS Federation Nation Club World Championship events.

The agreement also includes a large presence across BASS' considerable multi media platforms including ESPN2 Outdoors programming, www.Bassmaster.com and www.ESPNOutdoors.com.

"We applaud Yamaha's loyalty to its anglers and devotion to growing the sport," said Tom Ricks, vice president and general manager of BASS.

Message From the New President

As your new President, I want to start by thanking the membership for your vote. I will try my best to fill the large shoes of my predecessors, Jay and Paul.

I also want to publicly thank Paul for his leadership through a very tumultuous term as President, perhaps the most challenging time in Federation history. I was at the Classic, representing Minnesota during those emotional meetings with ESPN/B.A.S.S. Those of you not involved with the Board of Directors during that time and the last two years, can’t imagine the time, effort, blood, sweat, and tears that Paul and the Board unselfishly volunteered and donated to our cause. I encourage each of you to take a moment and recognize Paul for the outstanding contributions he made during his Presidency. He is truly one of the reasons our organization is in existence today. Enjoy your retirement, Paul. You deserve it. Read more

2007-2008 Federation Nation Championship

November 9, 2007
Lake Tohopekaliga, Kissimmee FL

Zumbro Valley Bassmasters' Brent Haimes finishes 7th place overall and 1st in the Northern division. Brent now qualifies to fish the 2008 Bassmasters Classic at Lake Harwell (South Carolina)--Congratulations Brent!

    Angler                 Hometown               D No./lbs-oz  Total $$$
1.  Jeff Freeman           Max Meadows, Va. (VA)  M 15  27-11  $49,575.00
2.  Jamie Laiche           Gonzales, La. (LA)     C 15  24-10  $10,000.00
3.  Chris Loftus           Bloomfield, N.Y. (NY)  E 15  23-08   $5,000.00
4.  Darin Doll             York, Pa. (PA)         M 15  23-01   $2,500.00
5.  Mike Baskett           Salem, Ore. (OR)       W 14  20-12   $2,000.00
6.  Sheron Brown           Shirley, Mass. (MA)    E 11  19-04   $1,500.00
7.  Brent Haimes           Mazeppa, Minn. (MN)    N 12  19-01   $1,500.00
8.  Shane Long             Sarcoxie, Mo. (MO)     C  8  18-12   $1,500.00
9.  Doug Thompson          Mabelvale, Ark. (AR)   C 14  17-10   $1,000.00
10. Richard Watson         Plattekloof, South Afr S 14  17-03   $1,000.00
11. Leslie Kennedy         Fort Worth, Texas (TX) C  9  16-13   $1,000.00
12. Pat Klausen            Lincoln, Neb. (NE)     C 13  16-10     $900.00
13. Justin Rowse           O'Neill, Neb. (SD)     N 12  15-12     $750.00
13. Mark Pierce            Clarksville, Tenn. (TN S 11  15-12     $750.00
15. Michael Prindle        Tallahassee, Fla. (GA) S  9  14-13     $600.00
16. Nobel Willits          Altamonte Springs, Fla S 12  14-10     $500.00
17. Brent Shores           Boise, Idaho (ID)      W  9  13-05     $500.00
18. Mike Keel              Auburn, Ala. (AL)      S 11  12-11     $500.00
19. Steve Smith            Johnstown, Ohio (OH)   N  6  12-07     $500.00
20. David McKinney         Cullooen, W.Va. (WV)   M  8  12-05     $500.00

    NORTHERN DIVISION
    Angler               Hometown                   No./lbs-oz Total $$$
  1 Brent Haimes         Mazeppa, Minn. (MN)        12  19-01   $1,500.00
  2 Justin Rowse         O'Neill, Neb. (SD)         12  15-12     $750.00
  3 Steve Smith          Johnstown, Ohio (OH)        6  12-07     $500.00
  4 Nicola Panareo       Portogrvaro, Italy (ITA)    9  10-13     $500.00
  5 Ron Fabiszak         S Bend, Ind. (IN)           7   9-01     $500.00
  6 James Sullivan       Strunberry Point, Iowa (I   7   9-00     $500.00
  7 Don Fowler           Cadillac, Mich. (MI)        6   6-06     $500.00
  8 Jason Stangel        Two Rivers, Wisc. (WI)      4   5-02     $500.00
  9 Larry Coleman        St Anne, Ill. (IL)          3   1-15     $500.00

View ESPN story and final standings

Fishing Contest Fees

DNR statement of need

About 6 years ago our Minnesota Department of Natural Resoures (DNR) instituted a fishing contest (tournament) permit process to address complaints regarding busy lakes and accesses. Within this process the DNR limits tournaments based on the size of the body of water and a tournament organizer must request a tournament permit that is free of charge.

Today, due to this process, previously reported complaints are virtually non-existent. However, our DNR has changed this process by amending the statute which stated "Permits shall be issued without a fee" to "The commissioner shall charge a fee for the permit that recovers the costs of issuing the permit and monitoring the activities allowed by the permit.". The language change was based on the recommendation of the Budget Oversight Committee to recover the (FY 2006) $108,000 permit administrative costs.

Permit Overview
The permit process is manual and consists of several steps. First, a tournament organizer downloads the application and mails the completed application to a DNR regional office. If no scheduling conflict occurs, the permit is granted and a copy of the application is mailed back to the tournament organizer. If a conflict occurs, the DNR provides each tournament organizer with the conflicting tournament organizer's contact information and asks them to resolve the scheduling conflict. If no resoluation can be made, the DNR will conduct a drawing to award the permit. Finally at the conclusion of the tournament, the tournament organizer mails his tournament creel statistics (how many were caught, how many were released, and the big fish) which is entered in a database by a DNR employee.

2008 Fees
The DNR is moving forward with the following fee schedule:
Fee for open-water contests:
. Small contests (31-100 participants, 50 or fewer boats): $120
. Large contests (more than 100 participants or more than 50 boats): $400

Fee for contests with off-site weigh-ins:
. Small contests: $500
. Large contests: $1,000

Fee for ice contests (more than 150 participants) is $120.
Fee must be submitted with the application.
See http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/tournaments/regulations.html
Ron Payer, MN DNR Fisheries Chief, stated that these fees will be tracked and go into the Game & Fish fund to support projects.

Uncommon Fees
Many states do not require tournament permits and even fewer charge a fee. Other natural resource state agencies fund administrative costs through fishing/boat licenses and sportfishing equipment (that is subject to a 10% Federal Excise Tax that is funneled back to states).

State	Permit?	Permit Fee?	Notes
Alabama	Varies	No	Corps of Engineers require a permit; State parks with launch and weigh-in facilities require a permit
Connecticut	Yes	No
Iowa	Yes	No	Permit required for tournaments over 6 boats
Louisiana	No	No
Maine	Varies	Varies	catch, measure and release (CMR) permit for $15--used during the spawn club weigh-in tourney permit for $25, allowing no more than 15 boats to be involved open tourney permit for $55, up to 100 boats and cash prizes up to $10,000 Multi-day permit $150 (allowing up to three consecutive days on one body of water) Maine limits the number of permits of any kind on any one body of water to four opens and three club weigh-in tourneys, CMR’s do not count.
Mississippi	No	Varies	Ross Barnett Reservoir $5 fee per boat for tournaments over 50 boats Pat Harrison Waterway district (8 or 9 lakes) charges a $25 tournament fee
Montana	Yes	No
New Mexico		$15-25
Oklahoma	No	Varies	Corps of Engineers: free to $25 (based on size) Grand River Dam Authority: $25-$55 (based on size) Oklahoma State Parks facilities: free to $25 (non-profit vs. profit) National Park Service: $30 ramp fee
Ontario Canada	No	No
Oregon	Yes	Varies	Marine Board charges a $25 fee when over 24 boats Various county park and US Forest Service ramps charge $25 on average
Rhode Island	Yes	No	Permit required for tournaments with 6 boats or more
South Carolina	No	Varies	Typically around $25
Texas	Varies	No	Some lakes require permits but the TPWD does not
Washington	Yes	$24	Maximum of 7 tournaments per year per organization.
West Virginia	Yes	No
Wisconsin	Yes	None at this time

Moving Forward
We have stated the desire to receive more information and sooner from the DNR so we could have been better informed about these fees and provide more feedback in a timely manner back to the DNR as a valued stakeholder. In the future there is opportunity to reduce permit administrative costs by automating the current "paper" process to allow tournament organizers to go online to 1) submit an application 2) check application status 3) and enter tournament creel survey data. We would also like to investigate other fee recovery approaches. The DNR should poll to estimate how many tournament anglers exist in Minnesota. The Wisconsin DNR estimates they have 20,000 tournament anglers. The 2006 Brainerd ice fishing tournament had over 10,000 anglers in itself. If each angler is required to purchase a "tournament stamp" for $10, the $108,000 dilemma would be fulfilled and it would be less a burdensome fee than the current schedule (ranging from $125-$1000).

Mickey Goetting
Minnesota B.A.S.S. Federation Nation
Conservation Director & Webmaster
mgoetting@mnbfn.org

Borrow a Fishing Rod Program and Casting Kids

June 15, 2007
Minneapolis, MN
In a cooperative sponsorship between the Northwestern Bassmasters, Shakespeare Fishing Rods, Ultimate Rent-All and RV, Cooper's Technology Group and Northland Fishing Tackle, kids can check out a Shakespeare rod and reel combo and a Northland tackle pack to use for free! Just like a library book, you can check out the rod and reel combos and tackle to use for free!
View flyer for more information

Loss of a Member and Great Friend: Ed Bogan

June 05, 2007
Minneapolis, MN
Last Saturday, the Minnesota BASS Federation Nation lost a long-time member and a great friend. Ed Bogan died shortly after being swept overboard by a rogue wave while pre-fishing for our TOC on Leech Lake.

A member of Northern Black Bass, Ed served a term as Youth Director of the Federation. He has always volunteered to help with Casting Kids events and always stepped up to volunteer on committees when needed. He was an extremely friendly, sincere, and outgoing person who always had a good word to say about everyone. Everyone in the Fed will miss Ed Bogan.

Ed's funeral will be held on Saturday, June 9. Viewing is at 11:00 a.m., with the service at 12 noon at the Emmanuel Tabernacle, 2501 E. 22nd St., Minneapolis, MN 55406.

Memorial donations may be made to:
The Edward C. Bogan Memorial Fund
c/o US Bank
4100 West 50th St.
Edina, MN 55424

We typically don't think of our sport as particularly dangerous or risky. Let Ed's death be a stark warning that every day on the water is a gift to be treated with utmost care and concern. Our deepest sympathy goes out to Ed's wife Melody, his children, family and friends.
Respectfully,
Paul Becka
President
Minnesota B.A.S.S. Federation Nation

Coon Lake Cleanup

April 01, 2007
East Bethel, MN

On the shores of Coon Lake (Anoka county), for the fourth year in a row, the Bassinators fill a pickup truck full of garbage from a local county park.

Bassinators is a youth fishing club located in the Twin Cities Metro area. Bassinators provides an education for those ranging from 8 to 18 years of age. These young men and women learn angling skills, but also other intangibles such as boating safety, conservation and preservation of the environment. "As anglers and outdoor enthusiasts, we also like to pass on the tradition of responsible stewardship of our natural resources" says Bassinators Adult Director Jeff Gilmer. "Our annual lake clean-up project is a great example. We select a lake and spend a day cleaning the area. During the day, we have a picnic, and hand out gifts from our sponsors. It is a fun way for everyone to spend a spring afternoon."

Bassinators is sponsored by the Stellar Bass Club which is a Minnesota Federation Nation club. Each year the kids get to fish with local pros on local lakes five times, then participate in the Minnesota State Championship where they can advance to the BASS Junior Bassmasters World Championship (JWBC). The JWBC gives these youth anglers an opportunity to fish with BASS pros like Kevin Van Dam and Skeet Reese.

To find out more about youth angling opportunities or adult volunteer openings with the Bassinators of the Twin Cities visit youroutdoordestination.com.

Minnesota Bass Anglers Crowned Top Federation for 2006

February 7, 2007
Minneapolis, MN

The Minnesota B.A.S.S. Federation Nation was named Federation of the Year at the recent B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Championship held in Gadsden, Alabama. The prestigious annual award goes to the state organization that best puts together a well-rounded program involving conservation, youth and community service.

"This is really a great award and we are honored to receive it", said Federation President Paul Becka. "Our goal was always just to run the group as professionally as possible in a politically difficult year, but it is also nice to get recognition for our youth and conservation activities."

The Minnesota B.A.S.S. Federation Nation is compromised of 400+ amateur bass anglers of all ages and genders from Minnesota and bordering states. Besides fishing competitively, its members participate in a variety of activities that benefit the outdoors.

Federation Regional Director John Murphy, "It was quite an honor to accept this award on the behalf of all my fellow members." Murphy represented Minnesota in Gadsden.

The Minnesota Federation hopes to leverage this award and publicity into augmenting efforts that are already in place focused on growing membership. Membership is the key to being able to do more and bigger projects.
View ESPN/B.A.S.S. article

Minnesota Federation Recognizes 30 year member: Roger Diesen

Minnesota Federation President, Paul Becka, recognized Roger Diesen for 30 years of membership. In his thirty years, Roger has enjoyed the people he has met and the friendships he developed. Roger stressed the importance of volunteering and contributing to youth projects.

On one occasion, Roger was one of several Federation members who helped take two bus loads of kids for a Forest Lake fishing event. The kid fishing with Roger won a bike in a raffle at the end of the day and gave Roger a tear filled hug and said "I have never had a bike before. This is the best day of my life.