9th Annual Spirit Lake Walleye Classic Open

Winter has left the region and spring is upon us.  With it, Devils Lake anglers begin the open water season and what a season it has been already!  Anglers have been doing well on pre-spawn walleyes and northerns up in the coulees, sloughs, creeks and on Devils Lake itself.  The big water bite is expected to be nothing but spectacular once again.  Which should make June 13th & 14th a date for you anglers looking for a little friendly competition smile!  Need more incentive?  How about looking at last year's results!

June 13th and 14th the 9th Annual Walleye Classic Open will be held out of Spirit Lake Marina.  The tourney is limited to 150 two person teams with a entry fee of $275 per team.  The deadline for applying is May 31st.

There are many cash and prizes available including a guaranteed $10,000 first place.  Safety & Rules meeting is set for June 12th.  For for information read below and click on supplied links.

2009 9th Annual Spirit Lake Walleye Classic Open Information

INTERPRETATION OF THESE RULES SHALL BE LEFT EXCLUSIVELY TO THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTORS. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH TOURNAMENT RULES SHALL RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION AND FORFEITURE OF ENTRY FEE. THE DECISION OF THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTORS SHALL BE FINAL IN ALL MATTERS. ALL RULES HAVE ‘LOOPHOLES’. IN THE INTEREST OF GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP, CONTESTANTS ARE REMINDED THAT THE ‘SPIRIT OF THE RULE’ WILL PREVAIL IN ALL JUDGEMENT CASES.

1. PARTICIPATION AND ELIGIBILITY: Participation in this tournament is open to anyone accompanied by a teammate 18 years or older. Persons under the age of 18 years of age must have the signature of his/her parent or guardian. A maximum of two people per boat is permitted. Proof of age is the responsibility of the competitor to the tournament directors. A properly completed and signed official application form and entry fee must be turned in prior to the start of the tournament.
    
2. ENTRY FEE: Entry fee is $275.00 per team /boat for the two day event for all entries received, postmarked or called in with charge card prior to the end of business day on June 1, 2009. Any entries received after June 1, 2009 must pay a $50.00 late fee. All prizes are based on two man teams. Contestants are responsible for any taxes due on any prize. Payouts for cash prizes are based on full field of 150 teams, except, first place, which is guaranteed. Balance of payout is based on number of teams entered. Additional prizes may be offered. Any such will be announced at the rules meeting prior to the start of the tournament.
    
3. SAFETY: Safe boating conduct MUST be observed at all times by all entrants. All North Dakota boat and water safety guide requirements will apply. Coast guard approved life vests must be worn anytime the combustion engine is operating above trolling speed also safety kill switch must be in working order.
    
4. LEGAL FISH: Walleye, minimum length 15 inches. Each team will be allowed to weigh 5 walleyes per day. Only 7 walleyes will be allowed in the holding well. Any team bringing in more walleye than the tournament limit will result in immediate disqualification for that day. No fish will be kept on a stringer or in a fish basket, they must be kept in an aerated live well or cooler. All fish will be weighed in pounds and hundreds of a pound on a scale provided at the tournament headquarters. The bump board at the tournament headquarters will determine fish length. Weigh scales will be open throughout the fishing day each day of the tournament. Any team can weigh their catch at any time. Contestants may not return to fishing after their official "weigh in" for the day until the conclusion of the tournament.
    
5. DEAD FISH PENALTY: Any dead fish brought to weigh station will not be weighed.
    
6. SHORT FISH PENALTY: Short fish will be culled from sack, and no replacement will be accepted.
    
7. TACKLE AND EQUIPMENT: All legal live bait and legal artificial presentation pursuant to North Dakota Fishing guide will be allowed. All live bait will be procured locally. Do not dump your old bait in the lake, tournament headquarters will provide a disposal. All fish must be caught live and in a conventional manner. Contestants must possess a North Dakota state fishing license. Cellular phones, CB or marine radios are allowed for emergency situations only. They may not be used during the tournament to talk with other boats.
    
8. SPORTSMANSHIP: No alcoholic beverages, drugs or other stimulants or depressants will be allowed at the tournament site or in the boat.
    
9. BOAT AND MOTOR: All boats must be equipped with some type of ignition kill switch. A small gas or electric motor may be used for short maneuvering. Every boat will be given an inspection check by a tournament official and a boat identification marker to be displayed.
    
10. BOAT INSPECTION: Each entered boat must be brought to tournament headquarters at Spirit Lake Marina for verification of cleanliness prior to first launch. In the interest of controlling biota transfer from other lakes into Devils Lake all boats shall be cleaned prior to first launch including: hull, trailers, bilge, and live/bait wells, using a diluted Clorox solution, in the live/bait wells only. It will be mandatory for the contestant’s to ensure that the live/bait wells, boats and trailers are cleaned thoroughly before entering the lake during pre-fishing and tournament. All boats will be inspected each day before launch and are subject to inspection during the tournament. All equipment will be required to be onboard at that time.
     
11. OFFICIAL CHECKPOINT: Spirit Lake Marina will be the only checkpoint.
     
12. TIES: All ties will be resolved by using the following methods: 1. Largest number of live fish weighed. 2. Heaviest weight on day two (2). 3. Coin toss.
     
13. CHECK IN: You and your partner must check-in and sign the check-in weight slips even if you have caught no fish. Any contestant returning late will be assessed a penalty of one (1) pound of weight per minute late up to 10 minutes maximum. Over 10 minutes will result in disqualification for the day. Failure to check in will result in disqualification for the day.
     
14. STARTING TIME: Safety is the only reason that the tournament will be delayed in starting on time. Starting time will be 7:00 am CST.
     
15. LIABILITY: Spirit Lake Casino, Resort & Marina, its managers, employees, promoters, tournament directors, sponsors and organizations

Click here for Registration Form to mail in to Spirit Lake Marina, 7889 Hwy 57 South, St Michael, ND 58370


2008 Spirit Lake Marina Walleye Classic Open

Winners of the 8th Annual Spirit Lake Marina Walleye Classic Open tournament held June 14th and 15th on Devils Lake, at the Spirit Lake Casino & Resort hosted by the Spirit Lake Marina. Pictured are the 1st place winners -$10,000.  Gary Maher, from Menoken, ND and Steve Maher from Mandan, ND total weight 51.11 lbs. for the two days. 2nd place - $5000. – Scott Larson from West Fargo, and Chris Reinhart from Fargo, with a total weight of 48.82 3rd place – $3000. -Ross Sensiba from Devils Lake and Merle Nelson from Glenfeild, ND  total weight 45.21 4th place - $1500. –James Rusten of Devils Lake and Troy Sand of Portland,ND  total weight 39.51lbs. 5th place - $1000. – Jeff Trana of Devils Lake and Rick Darling of Leeds, ND  total weight for two days 38.29lbs.   The largest walleye caught during the tournament was by the team of Dennis Andruski and Larry Zimmerman, weighing 8.38lbs. A total of $24,430. was paid out in the tournament.

Team No. Team Member 1 Team Member 2 Day 1 Numbers Day 2 Numbers Combined Numbers Big Fish Total lbs No. Fish Avg lbs Total lbs No. Fish Avg lbs Total lbs No. Fish Avg lbs 60 Gary Maher Steve Maher 24.21 5 4.84 26.9 5 5.38 51.11 10 5.11 7.25 37 Scott Larson Chris Reinhart 24.58 5 0.00 24.24 5 4.85 48.82 10 4.88 x 48 Ross Sensiba Merell Nelson 24.62 5 4.92 20.59 2 0.82 45.21 30 1.51 5.96 34 James Rusten Try Sand 15.97 5 3.19 23.54 5 0.00 39.51 5 7.90 x 61 Jeff Trana Rick Darling 17.02 5 3.40 22.07 5 4.41 39.09 10 3.91 x 27 Travis Clemens Jason Ramberg 18.65 5 3.73 19.64 5 3.93 38.29 10 3.83 x 51 Larry Zimmerman Dennis Andruski 15.79 5 3.16 22.09 5 4.42 37.88 10 3.79 8.38 7 Bruce Fritel Darren Spaeth 18.98 5 3.80 18.6 5 3.72 37.58 10 3.76 4.96 39 Tom Grzadzieleski Nick Anderson 16.4 5 3.28 19.43 5 3.89 35.83 10 3.58 x 18 Justen Barstad Brenda Barstad 16.17 5 3.23 19.09 5 3.82 35.26 10 3.53 x 29 Rob Sheperd Eric Dewald 21.04 5 4.21 12.45 4 3.11 33.49 9 3.72 5.19 28 Ron Deutz Spencer Deutz 16.55 5 3.31 16.2 5 3.24 32.75 10 3.28 x 21 Michael Mack Benjamin Mack 12.74 5 2.55 19.24 5 3.85 31.98 10 3.20 x 62 Doyle Schwanke Frank Mosser 8.16 2 4.08 23.15 5 4.63 31.31 7 4.47 x 22 Randy Blasky Robin Omdahl 19.97 5 3.99 10.53 5 2.11 30.50 10 3.05 5.96 36 Mark Burckhard Rick Buckmeier 23.0 5 4.60 6.7 5 1.34 29.70 10 2.97 5.6 2 Terry Schlieve Chad Haberstroh 7.81 2 3.91 20.79 5 4.16 28.60 7 4.09 x 31 Chad Clemenson Rich Bruekner 19.21 5 3.84 8.5 2 4.25 27.71 7 3.96 7.12 11 Clint Devier Randy Myers 12.44 5 2.49 15.15 5 3.03 27.59 10 2.76 x 20 Ryan Genre Jeff Henricks 11.14 5 2.23 15.82 5 3.16 26.96 10 2.70 x 41 Andrew Johnson Brian Hoffman 12.31 3 4.10 14.06 5 2.81 26.37 8 3.30 6.15 47 Corey Haugen Patti Zacher 9.99 5 2.00 16.29 5 3.26 26.28 10 2.63 x 42 Corey Heiser Todd Prickett 11.85 5 2.37 14.27 5 2.85 26.12 10 2.61 x 26 Don Denning Jacon Denning 13.78 5 2.76 12.29 5 2.46 26.07 10 2.61 3.5 24 Vic Klosterman Todd Tableman 9.44 4 2.36 15.86 5 3.17 25.30 9 2.81 x 43 Corey Bohn Mark Nikolas 11.06 5 2.21 14.21 5 2.84 25.27 10 2.53 x 13 Steve Larson Paul Mund 18.36 5 3.67 5.83 2 2.92 24.19 7 3.46 6.44 17 Eric Hanson Bill Hanson 13.57 5 2.71 10.22   0.0 23.79 5 4.76 x 15 Ryan Lagodinski Jerry Lagodinski 10.75 4 2.69 12.77 5 2.55 23.52 9 2.61 x 38 Bill Drake Dennis Schonhoff 11.15 4 2.79 11.3 5 2.26 22.45 9 2.49 x 65 Bryan Jensen Jesse Echert 11.57 3 3.86 10.74   0.00 22.31 3 7.44 x 35 Scott Steckler Keith Pierson 8.66 4 2.17 13.3 5 2.66 21.96 9 2.44 x 57 Bryan Land Keith Schwandt 12.04 4 3.01 9.87 5 1.97 21.91 9 2.43 x 23 Jeff Hanson Terry Frelich 6.24 3 2.08 15.45   0.00 21.69 3 7.23 x 3 Joe Dobos Dennis Hansen 16.11 5 3.22 4.91 2 2.46 21.02   3.00 x 45 Curt Hanson Mike Amb 13.79 5 2.76 7.06 3 2.35 20.85 78 2.61 x 54 Alvin Sellers Jr. Bob Sletten 11.05 5 2.21 9.72 5 1.94 20.77 10 2.08 x 25 David Brandenburg Kevin Brandenburg 9.71 4 2.43 10.92   0.00 20.63 4 5.16 x 46 Mike Metzen Brad Sjomeling 8.92 2 4.46 11.65 4 2.91 20.57 6 3.43 7.04 12 Doug Berg Tyler Sanders 11.42 5 2.28 9.12 5 1.82 20.54 10 2.05 x 55 Corey Anderson Ken Remmen 6.73 3 2.24 13.18 4 3.30 19.91 7 2.84 x 14 Brad Kjar Mark Magness 14.47 5 2.89 4.83 2 2.42 19.30 7 2.76 x 16 Merle Rainsberry Clay Smaalden 10.24 4 2.56 9.03 4 2.26 19.27 8 2.41 x 49 Chad Satterlund Randy Stark 15.25 5 3.05 3.36 1 3.36 18.61 6 3.10 x 52 Al Freidig Tim Rutten 8.6 2 4.30 9.59 5 1.92 18.19 7 2.60 x 30 Ken Omlie Keith Omlie 11.22 5 2.24 6.71 4 1.68 17.93 9 1.99 x 56 Dave Randash Adam Randash 6.07 3 2.02 11.61 5 2.32 17.68 8 2.21 x 5 Casey Holen Jamie Eckroth 7.08 2 3.54 9.71 5 1.94 16.79 7 2.40 x 4 Neil Kadlec Patrick Rime 5.97 2 2.99 10.73 4 2.68 16.70 6 2.78 x 32 Chris Mertz Steve Jones 8.15 5 1.63 8.48 5 1.70 16.63 10 1.66 x 33 Steve Hornung William Hornung 7.42 5 1.48 9.18 5 1.84 16.60 10 1.66 x 6 Kevin Goligowski Nick Cewers 8.18 2 4.09 7.95 2 3.98 16.13   4.03 x 8 Zach Axtman Michael Cudworth 7.21 3 2.40 8.88 5 1.78 16.09 48 2.01 x 63 Gerald Roland Rio Roland 7.41 4 1.82 6.41 2 3.21 13.82 6 2.30 x 44 Paul Lee Kevin Fieldsend 9.5 5 1.90 3.66 2 1.83 13.16 7 1.88 x 58 Clarence Greene Jerry Reinisch 3.47 2 1.74 8.89 5 1.78 12.36 7 1.77 x 40 Kris Walcker Cody Dukart 0.00 0 0.00 10.69 3 3.56 10.69 3 3.56 x 1 Michael Andersen Greg Washburn 4.48 1 4.48 6.11 2 3.06 10.59 3 3.53 x 50 Gary Weaver Layne Bohnenberger 2.21 1 2.21 7.86 5 1.57 10.07 6 1.68 x 9 Mike Olson Ken Cumbers 8.85 4 2.21 0.00 0 0.00 8.85   2.21 x 53 Jerry Wesley Bruce Roellke 8.67 5 1.73 0.0 0 0.0 8.67 45 1.73 x 10 Chad Gerloff Shelby Vasichek 5.58 2 2.79 1.49 1 1.49 7.07 3 2.36 x 59 Dave Tufte Conrad Johnson 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 0 0.00 x