About the Frank Schneider Jr. Memorial Muskie Tournament
The annual Frank Schneider Jr. Memorial Muskie Fishing Tournament is held in the Bemidji, Cass, Longville and Walker area of Minnesota. The 44th tournament for 2011 will be on September 9,10 and 11th and we were able to add Lake Plantagenet.
For over 40 years the tournament is brought up to 700 tournament contestants together for a 3 day event. A fun tournament with everyone having a chance to win the grand prize by caughting just a single legal muskie. A family event with a lot of tradition, history and competition.
Proceeds run other events related to the youth, fisheries and research, the backbone and reason Muskies Inc. was started.
Each year $3000 is dontated to the Minnesota Department of Resources to be used in the area and lakes that tournament is held. In ten years the tournament has dontated $30,000 to benefit everyone.
Who is Frank Schneider Jr. ?
Frank Schneider Jr. was an avid angler, hunter, conservationist and citizen-activist who, for more then 35 years, worked doggedly for Minnesota's hunters and anglers - for no pay and little glory. He is one of the state's conservation legends. If you fish or hunt in Minnesota, Frank Schneider affected you.
Frank worked tirelessly on his own time at the state Capitol and at the meeting rooms around the state of hunters and anglers. Whole no one person can be credited with the follow accomplishments, Frank was a driving force behind many of these and man and many others:
- Minnesota has perhaps the finest muskie fishing in the nation
- Commercial fishing nets are no longer used in Rainy Lake and Lake of the Woods to capture walleye
- Most of the state's lakes have public access or fishing piers
- Minnesota lakes are managed individually with the specific fishing regulations rather then lumped all together
- Millions of dollars from the state lottery flow annually to the state's natural resources
Gene Merriam, former legislator and DNR commissioner, who knew Frank for about 30 years said, "For somebody who has never served in government or held elective office, he's had a profound impact on public policy."
Frank had long involvement in Miuskies Inc. He was involved as a president and treasurer for most of its early existence, and Regional Vice President in later years. Muskies have been passion, although he finished - and fought for - all species. He pushed to ban winter spearing to ban spearing on some lakes to protect the muskie population (a controversial issue the earned him bullet holes in his fishing boat). As of 2009 only 27 lakes have such restrictions. He also pushed the DNR to stock muskies in more lakes.
Frank championed catch-and-release fishing for all species. He lobbied for more restrictive regulations to improve fishing for everyone. And he regularly supported funding increases for natural resources. In the early 1908s Frank lobbied successfully for funds which were used to buy out commercial fishing operations on Lake of the Woods and Rainy Lake.
Frank's efforts haven't gone unacknowledged. He is a member of the Minnesota Fishing Hall of Fame, was twice honored by the Minnesota DNR for meritorious services, was named "Sportsman of the Year" by the Minnesota Association of Farmers, Landowners and Sportsmen, was was name "Man of the Year" by Outdoor News.
In his honor the tournament was renamed for Frank over 10 years ago. He worked to improve the outdoors for each of us, helping to secure a future of outstanding outdoor experience.
2011 Frank Schneider Jr. Memorial Muskie Tournament - September 9, 10 and 11
Lake Plantagenet and Irving have been added for 2011!
With over 20 lakes to fish in the tournament we were able to add one more near the Bemidji area. Lake Plantagent. After discussing this with the DNR we did find it out it has not been a brood stock lake for many, many years so we are good to go!
Muskie Divison
The main division in the muskie tournament. Caught all the legal muskies you can and take home some great prizes and a chance at the grand prize. Prizes are awarded for top 10 places based on a point system that includes resort stays, rods, reels and much much more!!
Junior Division
Juniors have their own division and 3 places with prizes. Junior Division entries are eligible for the Grand Prize. Top three juniors can walk away with rods, reels and other prize.
Northern Pike Division
Northerns can also give you a yet another chance to win more prizes. Caught a 38.5 inch nothern and you could win the resort stay.
Although not eligible for the grand prize you can still take something home. This division is forgotten about buy many of the anglers who don't register an eligible northern.
Largest Muskie - Win a graphite replica
Caught the largest muskie in the fishing tournament and you will get a graphite replica from Lax Reproductions of your muskie.
You've proably seen them at the shows and maybe a friend has a Lax Reproduction.
Bragging rights that you can back up and display with pride.