Year-Round Fishing Tournament to Begin in 2006 on Lake of the Woods

This is pretty cool.

(Feb. 03, 2006 - Baudette, MN)... The stunning international waters of Lake of the Woods and Rainy River provide some of the best fishing in the world. Anglers flock to this spectacular lake year-round in search of that elusive record catch. Now there is one more reason for anglers to make the trip to Lake of the Woods - a chance to win their share of $20,000 in cash and $15,000 in prizes during the year-round 2006 Grand Master Angler Tournament.

Lake of the Woods is well known for the dynamic walleye catch it provides anglers. But Lake of the Woods is much more than a walleye fishing destination. It is one of the most diverse fisheries in the world. With this in mind the Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau of Baudette, MN has developed a fishing tournament that encompasses the entire lake, nearly 40 Minnesota resorts, 10 species of fish and twelve months to find them.

The tournament is broken down into seven fish species categories: walleye/sauger, northern/muskie, small mouth/large mouth bass, crappie, burbot, sturgeon and jumbo perch. Each category holds its own fishing tournament and substantial prize payout. All fish entered in the tournament will be measured; the fish that fall into the designated prize payouts at the end of the year will win cash and prizes!

The prize payouts for each species category are different - here’s a look at what participating anglers are competing for:

The walleye/sauger category offers a $5,000 total cash purse. The angler that catches the longest walleye or sauger on Lake of the Woods in 2006 will be crowned the GMA Walleye Champion and be awarded a limited edition, personalized Grand Master Angler Jacket, a $1000 fishing vacation at a Lake of the Woods resort, a $500 fishing product package and $500 cash! The angler that places 25th will win $1000 cash, 50th place will win $1500 cash and the angler that catches the 100th longest walleye on Lake of the Woods in 2006 will win $2000 cash!

The northern/muskie category offers a $4,000 total cash purse. The angler that catches the longest fish in the northern/muskie category on Lake of the Woods in 2006 will be crowned the GMA Northern/Muskie Champion and be awarded a limited edition, personalized Grand Master Angler Jacket, a $1000 fishing vacation at a Lake of the Woods resort, a $500 fishing product package and $400 cash! The angler that places 25th will win $800 cash, 50th place will win $1200 cash and the angler that catches the 100th longest northern/muskie on Lake of the Woods in 2006 will win $1600 cash!
The jumbo perch category offers a $3000 total cash purse giving $300 cash to the first place finisher along with the $1000 resort package, $500 fishing product package and limited edition GMA jacket. Other cash payouts for perch are $600 cash for 25th place, $900 cash for 50th place and the 100th longest perch will win $1200 cash.

The categories of small mouth/large mouth bass, crappie, burbot and sturgeon all offer a total cash purse of $2000. The longest fish in each category will win $200 cash, a $1000 resort package, $500 fishing product package and limited edition GMA jacket. Other cash payouts in these categories are $600 for 25th place and $1200 for 50th place.

Anyone fishing Lake of the Woods throughout the year has an equal chance to win a prize in the Grand Master Angler Tournament. Anglers simply need to purchase a tournament ticket for one or more of the species categories, catch a fish in that category ($20 tickets available at participating Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau resorts and Sponsor locations), measure the fish and have the ticket authorized by a participating Grand Master Angler Resort or Sponsor location.

Lake of the Woods is an exceptional fishery and the Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau of Baudette, MN is excited to host this one of a kind year-round fishing tournament to outdoor enthusiast who visit the area. The Grand Master Angler Tournament has been structured so it is easy and fun for anglers of all abilities to participate.

For complete information on this one of a kind fishing tournament contact the Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau by calling 1-800-382-FISH.