Minnesota Bowfin Club Grand Championship Tournament

[Basspastor]

Yes once again this year the Minnesota Bowfin Club is looking to crown a Grand Champion.  Could it be you?

Here's the Rules:
MBC GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT RULES:

SPECIES - Only Bowfin (Dogfish) caught in Minnesota waters are used for determining the season's Grand Champion.

TOURNAMENT HOURS/SEASON - All daylight hours from ice-out through June 15 each year are open for competition.

TOURNAMENT WATERS- All MN bodies of water with a population of bowfin are eligible from their individual date of ice out.

LIVE RELEASE - All fish must be returned to the water alive and unharmed after measuring.

FISHING METHOD - Only artificial lures may be used to take fish.

OTHER SPECIES - Any other fish caught, which is not in season, must be returned to the water immediately. It is expected that MBC members and tournament participants will within reason try to minimize the odds of catching fish that are not yet in their open season.

MEASURING FISH - Fish must be measured with the mouth (closed) to the tip of the tail.

REGISTRATION - Send your name, the length of the fish, the date caught, and the lure used to basspastor@hotmail.com

Optional: Include body of water caught from.

Registration must be in before midnight on June 15th of each year.

GRAND CHAMPION - The longest fish reported before June 16th determines the overall Grand Champion.

LEADING FISH- In an effort to encourage reporting of bowfin catches the length of the leading fish will NOT be communicated until the tournament is over.

Past MBC Grand Champions with winning fish length since Club founding in 1999:

1999 Ken Fields 25"
2000 Chuck Fields 23.75"
2001 Guy Henkensiefken 23"
2002 Dean Sauer & Tom Swanson (tie) 26.5"
2003 Dan Quinn 31"
2004 Dave Maas 30"
2005 Alan Steinbauer 28.5"
2006 Dave Maas 30"
2007 Chuck Steinbauer 26.5"
2008 Dennis Lothspeich 26"
2009 Scot Zeidler 26.5"

[KTapper]

Why does it have to be caught during the daylight hours? and why with artificial baits?

[Basspastor]

The artificial baits stems mostly from the fact that the MBC was started by a bunch of bass fisherman that don't use anything but artificial lures.

I don't know why the time was restricted to daylight hours.

Both are Grand Championship Tournament traditions and I don't see that changing.

I am thinking that for next year we might add a second competition that will run all year long and be about who can catch the most bowfin during a calendar year.  This competition would more than likely allow live and dead bait and run 24/7/365.

[KTapper]

Ok yeah I only fish for them at night and use dead cut sucker. To bad you don't alow that cause I would join!

[MTCOMMER]

So it is my understanding that, anyone can send in a photo?  I just want to make sure there is no pre-registration.
I will catch the occasional bowfin when im bass or pike fishing on the River, I caught a 29" last year that was just shy of 10 pounds.  It put up a very nice fight!

Thanks for sharing the info about the MBC!

[Cody Gruchow]

not trying to knock this or anything but people actually fish for these things on purpose?

[Basspastor]

So it is my understanding that, anyone can send in a photo?  I just want to make sure there is no pre-registration.
I will catch the occasional bowfin when im bass or pike fishing on the River, I caught a 29" last year that was just shy of 10 pounds.  It put up a very nice fight!

Thanks for sharing the info about the MBC!

A photo would be good and we would love to have it, but is not required.  The Grand Championship has always been on the honor system.  All you have to do is send an email to me with the length, lure used, and date caught before midnight June 15th.  Naming the body of water is optional.

[Basspastor]

not trying to knock this or anything but people actually fish for these things on purpose?

Some people do specifically target them, but I think a lot of the MBC guys just take them as the opportunity arises while fishing for pike and bass.   My first Grand Champioship came while I was fishing bass and pike and my second came when I was out specifically for a dogfish after I had been doing some crappie fishing on Mille Lacs.