The 48th annual Devils Lake Chamber of Commerce Fishing Tournament is nearly upon us. All week area residents have seen an increase in the number of boats passing through the city as contestants come from far and wide to fish the depths of one of the finest walleye – and pike, white bass and perch, too – fisheries in the country; Devils Lake.
The tournament itself is held at Grahams Island State Park, 10 miles west of Devils Lake on ND Highway 19, turn left another 5 miles to the entrance of the park. An anticipated 125 teams are expected to vie for payouts and other prizes, for example, the largest walleye (a minimum 15 inches) comes with a $1,000 reward, second largest, $500, and so on. There will be a Mixed Couple Award, a Biggest Basket Award, a Young Angler Award, Hot Seat Giveaway and more! The guaranteed First Place Prize is $6,500!
Registration, if you haven’t already done that, will be held on June 20 at the Chamber of Commerce from 3 to 4:45 p.m. with a rules meeting at 5 p.m.
If the weather holds, the tournament will take place on Friday, June 21 with flights starting early in the morning. Saturday, June 22 is held in reserve, just in case the weather makes it impossible to hold the tourney on Friday, but according to the Weather Channel’s 10-day forecast, it looks like it’s going to be a “go” on Friday!
If you’re not registered to fish the tournament, you can enjoy the weigh-ins at Grahams Island State Park 3 p.m. on June 21 and cheer your favorite team to victory!
In addition, a free Kids & Family Fishing Clinic will be sponsored by the National Professional Anglers Association and Deutz Fishing right after the weigh in. The first 50 kids will receive rod/reel combinations.
