Minnesota Bass Anglers Crowned Top Federation for 2006
February 7, 2007
Minneapolis, MN
The Minnesota B.A.S.S. Federation Nation was named Federation of the Year at
the recent B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Championship held in Gadsden, Alabama. The
prestigious annual award goes to the state organization that best puts together
a well-rounded program involving conservation, youth and community service.
"This is really a great award and we are honored to receive it", said Federation
President Paul Becka. "Our goal was always just to run the group as professionally
as possible in a politically difficult year, but it is also nice to get recognition
for our youth and conservation activities."
The Minnesota B.A.S.S. Federation Nation is compromised of 400+ amateur bass
anglers of all ages and genders from Minnesota and bordering states. Besides
fishing competitively, its members participate in a variety of activities that
benefit the outdoors.
Federation Regional Director John Murphy, "It was quite an honor to accept this
award on the behalf of all my fellow members." Murphy represented Minnesota
in Gadsden.
The Minnesota Federation hopes to leverage this award and publicity into augmenting
efforts that are already in place focused on growing membership. Membership
is the key to being able to do more and bigger projects.
ESPN Names Tom Ricks General Manager of BASS
Jan. 26, 2007
CELEBRATION, Florida
ESPN today introduced Tom Ricks, a veteran of the fishing and consumer products
industry, as general manager of BASS, effective Feb. 12.
Ricks has most recently been general manager and global marketing director
for Pure Fishing, a worldwide leader in fishing products servicing 120 countries.
Ricks will report to Steve Anderson, Executive Vice-President of Production & Technical
Operations for ESPN. View
Press Release
Skeeter Boats--Real Money January 1 – December 31, 2007
Skeeter Boat’s 2007 tournament program means Real Money for you. This year’s
program is once again the largest contingency posting in Skeeter history. More
Money in More Places makes Skeeter the leader in tournament fishing contingency
postings. For more information, visit
Largemouth Bass Virus Found in Inland Minnesota Lakes
December 12, 2006
St. Paul, Minnesota
The Minnesota B.A.S.S. Federation Nation collected bass in nine lakes known
to receive high fishing pressure. Jim Battin, Federation Treasurer, organized
the bass sampling and delivered the bass to the Minnesota DNR to test for the
existence of largemouth bass virus.
Largemouth Bass Virus (LMBV) was first discovered in Minnsota five years ago
in the Mississippi River. LMBV is a virus that only affects fish, amphibians
and reptiles, has been found in 20 states since its discovery in 1991. This
has now spread to Minnesota's inland lakes as it was found in five of nine
lakes sampled last summer. View
DNR
press release
View
Largemouth
Bass Virus fact sheet
Mark Holsten Appointed as New Minnesota DNR commissioner
December 12, 2006
St. Paul, Minnesota
Governor Tim Pawlenty appoints Department of Natural Resources Deputy Commissioner
Mark Holsten as DNR commissioner. Holsten has served as deputy commissioner
of DNR since January 2003. View
DNR
press release
Minnesota Federation Nation Conservation Director Resigns
”The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not
protect you”
All, I’m needing to temporarily decrease my activities in the conservation
and fishing community. I’ve been coping with a chronic health condition since
1998 and soon I’ll once again be trying a series of drug/chemo injections.
If after three months on these drugs, they show some positive effects, I get
to stay on them for 34-60 more weeks.
The first time around with these drugs I didn’t respond to them, but this time
I’m trying a more aggressive approach. Last time the side-effects were substantial
and really sapped my energy. Due to this I must reluctantly step away from
my role as BASS Conservation Director and need to curtail other board and advisory
positions.
I’m hoping to stay involved in occasional meetings as my energy permits and
be available by phone. Since I'll be starting a new position at work, I have
no time or energy for board or fishing politics. I'm grateful for the friends
I've made and thank God that none of them were my enemies.
I’m optimistic about the future. My goal is to be kissing fish for years to
come, being an activist for conservation and a thorn in the side of those who
would take away our rights to hunt and fish.
Vern Wagner
2006 Minnesota State Casting Kids Championship
October 21, 2006
Maple Grove, Minnesota
On Saturday, October 21, the Minnesota BASS Federation Nation held its 2006
State Bassmaster Casting Kids Championship. Kids from all over Minnesota came
to the Gander Mountain Maple Grove store with their flipping, pitching and
casting skills to try to become one of two Minnesota Bassmasters Casting Kids
champions.
The kids that competed on this day all qualified through Bassmaster Casting
Kids competitions held across the state during the 2006 qualification period.
Minnesota BASS Federation Nation clubs conduct these competitions. There are
two age groups: 7 to 10 and 11 to 14. The kids do three different types of
casts: flip from 10 feet, pitch from 20 feet, and cast from 30 feet. The target
is a bullseye with scores of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50. The best score attainable
is 150 points.
The kids all came to show their casting skills. Each contestant had three practice
rounds on the casting lanes prior to official competition start time of 3:30pm.
The crowd and parents were great and almost completely silent during the event.
After all contestants had completed their casts and the scores were verified,
Paul Becka, the Minnesota BASS Federation Nation President made the big announcement.
The Minnesota State Casting Kids Champions for 2006 are Marina Chapman from
the 7-10 age group with a score of 90, and Jake Erickson in the 11-14 age group
with a score of 130. Marina and Jake both received a Bassmaster Casting Kids
Championship plaque, medallion, and Casting Kids rod and reel. They also received
a $500.00 scholarship award from the Minnesota BASS Federation Nation for their
future education.
Now Marina and Jake, along with their parents, advance to Alabama in January
to compete in the Bassmaster Casting Kids Semi-Finals, which coincides with
the Federation National Championship. Then they will each compete against 8
other kids in their own age bracket from the Northern Division states. If either
Marina or Jake is the top Casting Kid from their respective age group, he/she
will then advance to the National Casting Kids Championship in Alabama in February
of 2007. This coincides with the Bassmaster Classic. They would compete for
scholarships of up to $5000 against 4 other Casting Kids champions in their
age group
Skeeter/Yamaha, the Minnesota Federation official boat and motor sponsor will
be donating Skeeter/Yamaha shirts and hats for Marina and Jake at the upcoming
Casting Kids Semi-finals competition, and hopefully the National Casting Kids
finals.
Special thanks go to the Gander Mountain Maple Grove store and staff for hosting
this event. Gander Mountain also provided a rod and reel outfits for both our
winners, and grab bags that day with fishing products for all the competitors.
Gander Mountain has hosted numerous Casting Kids Championships and qualifying
events over the years and has always asked what they can do, and have gone
the extra mile for today's youth. On behalf of the Minnesota BASS Federation
Nation, I say, THANK YOU.
Special thanks to the Minnesota BASS Federation Nation Board of Directors and
members of Bassin' Boys Junior Federation club for conducting this event.
Kids and parents, for more information on these events, check out the youth
section of our MN BASS Federation Nation website at www.mnbf.org or the Bassmaster
web site at for
upcoming Minnesota Casting Kids events.
Todd Saterbak
Minnesota BASS Federation Nation Youth Director
Shimano Take Me Fishing Scholarship
Shimano is excited to announce our 2nd annual financial scholarship program,
the Shimano Take Me Fishing Scholarship. The primary focus of this scholarship
program is to nurture the next generation of fisherman and support ongoing
education.
View details
Jim Pinke Wins 2006 Minnesota BASS Federation Nation Championship
September 9, 2006
Minnesota’s best amateur bass anglers tackled Gull Lake for the Minnesota Bass
Federation Nation Tournament of Champions. The sponsoring club, Baxter Bass,
hosted the tournament and collected food and money for the designated charity,
Wilderness Inquiry. Steve Soukup of Skeeter Boats did a masterful job as Master
of Ceremonies as anglers weighed their bags at tournament headquarters, Ernie's
on Gull.
Jim Pinke from Bass Wackers led 178 anglers (from 36 different clubs) with
consistent bags of 13.20 and 13.96 pounds. The top 12 anglers from the TOC
will advance next year to fish against 7 other State Teams from Wisconsin,
Indiana, South Dakota, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, & Ohio on Lake Erie at
Sandusky, OH in September, 2007.
”The great thing about the Minnesota Federation Nation State Championship
is that we get a chance to give back to the community. Our sponsors have
really stepped up big for our raffle and Wilderness Inquiry,” says
Tournament Director Dale Richardson. “We really appreciate the support
we get from Minn Kota, MG Lures, and Mojo Rods.”
View all
individual results
2006 B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Northern Divisional
September 5, 2006
Upper Midwest’s best amateur bass anglers set to tackle the Alexandria Chain.
96 anglers will arrive in the Alexandria, MN area on September 10th to practice
and prepare for the ESPN Federation Nation Northern Divisional Tournament.
The actual competition occurs over a three day period of September 13-15. Weigh-ins
for the event will be hosted by Bug-A-Boo Bay Restaurant on Lake Le Homme Dieu
starting at 3:00PM on each day.
12 angler teams will represent Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, South Dakota,
Michigan, Iowa, Illinois and Ohio. Anglers qualified in competition within
their respective state federations. At stake in this tournament is a chance
to fish in the Bass Federation Nation National Championship and one step closer
to a coveted Bassmasters Classic berth. The top angler from each state will
qualify for the ESPN Bass Federation Nation Championships to be held in January
on Neely Henry Lake in Alabama.
“The Alexandria Chain is a diverse body of water with a very high population
of fish,” says MN Federation Nation president Paul Becka, “The competitors
should catch plenty of limits. Finding the quality fish is what will separate
the top finishers from the rest of the field.”
In addition to individual efforts, there is a team competition as well. Each
12 man team’s total fish catch is tallied and matched against the other states.
The top state team is awarded trophies and prizes.
”I think the Minnesota team is poised to have a very good finish this year.
All 12 of our guys qualified on the Alexandria Chain last September,” says
MN Team Member Rich Lindgren. “There would be nothing better then winning this
event as a team on our home waters.” If you are interested in seeing Minnesota’s
best anglers compete against other states, Bug-A-Boo Bay is the place to be
September 13-15th. Lodging and Tournament Headquarter is the Holiday Inn in
Alexandria, MN.
View
Final
Story and Standings
2006 Minnesota BASS Federation Nation Team Championship
We will have a new layer of competition in our TOC this year. In the past,
we determined our club championship by having each club designate a four-person
(or fewer) team. This year, BASS has inaugurated a Club Team Championship in
which each member of the national winning team wins a fully equipped Triton
boat. A very big deal. Read
more
View
Final
Team Standings
2006 Minnesota BASS Federation Nation Championship
August 28, 2006
Minnesota’s best amateur bass anglers set to tackle Gull Lake for the Minnesota
Bass Federation Nation Tournament of Champions.
On Saturday, September 2nd, approximately 200 anglers will arrive in the Brainerd
& Nisswa area to practice and prepare for the event. Events culminate with
a two day tournament on September 7th & 8th. Weigh-ins for the event will
be hosted by Ernie’s on Gull starting at 3:00PM Thursday and Friday.
These 200 anglers have qualified from their local clubs from all over the state.
There is a total of 41 clubs sending teams and representatives to the Tournament
of Champions (TOC). The tournament is hosted and supported by the local area
Baxter Bass Club. In addition to the TOC there is also an alternate’s tournament
on Lake Alexander near Cushing, MN to be held on September 7th, the weigh-in
will be 3:00PM held out of Blue Port Restaurant on the shores of Lake Alexander.
Wednesday night is the banquet and pairings meeting which culminates with a
raffle with all proceeds supporting a local charity. This year’s charity is
Wilderness Inquiry, which is a non-profit organization that focuses on getting
people from all walks of life to personally experience the natural world. We
believe there is nothing like being there to fully appreciate the environment
and the people we share it with.
Anglers come from all over the state for many reasons; foremost is the camaraderie
of fellow anglers and secondly to qualify for the 2007 Bass Federation Northern
Divisional. The top 12 anglers from the TOC will advance next year to fish
against 7 other State Teams from Wisconsin, Indiana, South Dakota, Michigan,
Iowa, Illinois,
& Ohio on Lake Erie at Sandusky, OH in September, 2007. At stake there
is a chance to fish in the Bass Federation Nation National Championship and
one step closer to a Bassmasters Classic Berth.
Fish care is an important part of protecting our resource, so for the second
consecutive year, the TOC will be utilizing an in-water weigh-in system that
reduces stress on the fish, which is important as the goal is to return all
the fish back to Gull Lake in good condition to be caught again for everyone.
”The great thing about the Minnesota Federation Nation State Championship is
that we get a chance to give back to the community. Our sponsors have really
stepped up big for our raffle and Wilderness Inquiry,” says Tournament Director
Dale Richardson. “We really appreciate the support we get from Minn-kota, MG
Lures, and Mojo Rods.” If you are interested in seeing Minnesota’s best anglers,
Ernie’s on Gull Lake is the place to be September 8th & 9th.
For additional information on the news that is the subject of this release
visit
2006 TOC website
Join the Angler Conservation Team
Volunteer with the ACT and help protect fishery resources in your area.
Are your fisheries' resources worth protecting?
Do you want to improve fishing in your area?
If your answers are yes, then you'll want to join the BASS Angler Conservation
Team (ACT). The ACT is a network of leisure anglers like you who volunteer
to protect and enhance fish and wildlife habitats. ACT members are invited
to help fellow anglers, communities and natural resource managers with grassroots
projects such as building and placing fish habitats in lakes, planting native
aquatic vegetation, ensuring angler access to waterways and more.
Read
more
08/08/06 Update to Federation Members
August 8, 2006
Fellow Fed Members:
The purpose of this note to give you a quick update of what's going on at the
national level and how it will affect us in Minnesota. The Charlotte meetings
of BASS Federation Nation presidents were generally calm and informative, with
none of the nonsense that characterized the January festivities. Thirty-two
(32) presidents attended.
Read more
50th Annual Litchfield Watercade
July 20, 2006
Minnesota BASS Federation Nation extends a helping hand to Litchfield Watercade
to promote conservation and improved tournament practices. On Saturday, July
8th the Minnesota BASS Federation Nation (MNBF) took the opportunity to further
demonstrate their commitment to promote conservation best practices by sharing
their knowledge for improved tournament operation. The Litchfield Watercade
board chairman contacted the MNBF in February of this year and requested consulting
to improve their tournament efficiency, and to provide a professional look
and feel for their 50th anniversary celebration, which features a tournament
on Lake Ripley. Read
full story
New Associate Membership Program
Do you care about conservation projects, wholesome youth activities, fishing
and preserving your rights to it? Would you like to increase your knowledge
and support of these issues without investing a lot of your time or money to
do so? The Minnesota BASS Federation Nation has created a budget-minded associate
level of membership that allows you to do all of those things – and more.
Find
out more!
Federation Recognizes 30 year member: Roger Diesen
Minnesota Federation President, Paul Becka, recognized Roger Diesen for 30
years of membership. In his thirty years, Roger has enjoyed the people he has
met and the friendships he developed. Roger stressed the importance of volunteering
and contributing to youth projects.
On one occasion, Roger was one of several Federation members who helped take
two bus loads of kids for a Forest Lake fishing event. The kid fishing with
Roger won a bike in a raffle at the end of the day and gave Roger a tear filled
hug and said "I have never had a bike before. This is the best day of
my life.".
