5th annual United Way Fishing Tournament July 20-21

United Way of Bemidji Area, partnering with the Lakes Area United Way, will be hosting their fifth annual fishing tournament, presented by Lueken’s Village Foods.

This two day catch/photo/release tournament will be held Saturday and Sunday. Any public lake in Crow Wing, Cass, Aitkin, Beltrami, Clearwater, and Hubbard counties, along with the Cass Lake Chain can be fished.

Visit unitedwaynow.org/FishingTourney for registration information. Entry fee is $200 plus fees per 2-person team. Fishing begins at 6 a.m. Saturday. Final scores must be recorded by 6 p.m. Sunday.

Bass and walleye winning categories are based on overall weight of top 5 fish. Teams can win both categories. Top prizes include two first place winners at $4,000, two second place winners at $2,000, two third place winners at $1,000, two fourth place winners at $750, two fifth place winners at $500, two sixth place winners at $400, two seventh place winners at $300, two eighth place winners receive a Latitude 218 Outfitters Rental, two ninth place winners receive Hill’s Country Green House $250 gift cards, and two tenth place winners receive a free entry to the 2025 tournament. Overall winning totals are based on 100 boats registered. Payouts may change based on registration turnouts.

The Keg N’ Cork Bass Big Fish Award and the Northwoods Bait & Tackle Walleye Big Fish Award, both $500, will be presented to the largest bass and walleye entered in the tournament.

The Kraus-Anderson Legacy Bass Award will be presented to the top-ranking bass team with a youth, 15 or younger, as one of the participants. The youth will receive a lifetime fishing license.

The Chester Berg Toyota Legacy Walleye Award, will be presented to the top-ranking walleye team with a youth, 15 or younger, as one of the participants. The youth will receive a lifetime fishing license.

The Dick Beardsley Legacy Award will be part of a drawing for all youth, 15 or younger, who participate in the tournament. The winning youth will receive a lifetime fishing license.

The Hard Times Award of $250 will be presented to the teams with the smallest weight entered of complete stringers. Prizes available in both bass and walleye categories.

Sponsors include Lueken’s Village Foods, Fishin’ Paul Bunyan Country, First National Bank Bemidji, Hill’s Plumbing & Heating, Northwoods Lumber, Paul Bunyan Broadcasting, Bemidji Coca-Cola, Deerwood Bank of Bemidji and Baxter, Gustafson & Gouge Inc., Northland Fishing Tackle, Northwoods Bait & Tackle, Papa Murphy’s, Paul Bunyan Communications, Acme Tools, Amity Graphics, Bemidji Area Guide Service, Bemidji Brewing, Bemidji Chrysler Center, Bessler Wiebolt Electric, Century 21 Mark Dickinson Insurance, Dick Beardsley Fishing Guide Service, Dick’s Plumbing & Heating of Bemidji, Grimes Realty, Hill’s Country Greenhouse, Hook’d Up Electric, Iron Horse Bar & Grill, Latitude 218 Outfitters, Naylor Heating & Refrigeration, Ottertail Power, Pelican Square in Breezy Point, Ray’s Sport and Marine, Schuvers Design, Scotland Bakke Dental, Security Bank USA, Timberline Sports-N-Convenience, Visit Bemidji and Widseth.

For more information, visit www.unitedwaynow.org or call Kari at (218) 407-0108.