Event Schedule

• Registration

  • Friday, July 3rd – 6:00 PM

  • Open Space Park - Just West Of The Frankfort Boat Launch, Next To The Library

• Captain’s Meeting

  • Friday, July 3rd – 7:00 PM

  • Open Space Park - Just West Of The Frankfort Boat Launch, Next To The Library

Entry Fee

• $150 per team (includes captain and all crew)

  • $100 Overall prize purse​

  • $30 Annual Membership in NWMI Fishing Club (If a team already has a member this fee will be waived)

  • $20 donation to the Frankfort Fireworks

• $50 optional winner takes all, big fish side bet

• Checks payable to Fish-TC, LLC

Tournament Rules and Details

• All boats must be 18 feet or longer per state registration.

• All boats must have a working VHF radio. This is not a radio silence tournament.

• Tournament radio channel: VHF 68

• Boats may launch from any marina or launch on Betsie Bay.

• Teams must declare their marina or launch location on the registration form.

• Boats and coolers may be inspected on tournament day.

Start Rules

• Boats in marinas may leave the dock at 5:20 AM. No earlier.

• Boats that launch prior to 5:20 AM may not pass the Jacobson Marina gas dock before 5:20 AM. Boats may be contacted via radio and required to stop at the gas dock for inspection.

Fishing Rules

• A maximum of 9 lines may be in the water at any time. A fish on the line counts as a line in the water.

• Nine lines require three licensed anglers on board.

• There is no limit to the number of crew on a boat.

• Observers are not required but may be assigned at the discretion of the Tournament Director.

• No physical contact with other boats or shore is permitted unless pre-approved.

• All boats must return to port under their own power.

• If a tournament flag is provided, it must be clearly displayed on the port side of the boat.

• All Michigan DNR laws apply.

• Fishing must take place on a moving boat.

• Gaffing of fish is not permitted.

• All anglers must carry a valid Michigan fishing license.

Boundaries

• Boats are not permitted north of the Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station (44.909° N).

• Boats are not permitted south of the Manistee North Pierhead Lighthouse (44.252° N).

• Boats must remain within Michigan waters of Lake Michigan.

• It is the captain’s responsibility to know their location and remain within tournament boundaries. GPS tracking is strongly recommended.

Catch Limits and Scoring

• Teams are permitted no more than three fish in their cooler at weigh-in.

• Eligible species include Salmon, Lake Trout, Steelhead, and Brown Trout.

• All Michigan DNR catch limits apply. Teams may sort their catch, but all sorting must be completed before entering the weigh-in line.

• Fish will be weighed to the nearest one-hundredth of a pound.

• Scoring is based on 10 points per fish plus 1 point per pound.

• Tiebreakers

  • Ties will be broken by the heaviest single fish.

  • Ties in the biggest fish competition will be broken by higher overall finishing position.

Weigh-In Rules

• Weigh-in will begin at approximately 12:30 PM.

• All coolers must be in line before 1:00 PM sharp.

• Teams may only have their tournament catch (maximum of three fish) in the cooler.

• Violations:

  • Extra fish will result in the loss of that fish and the next smallest fish.

  • Loose ice or excess water in the cooler will result in a 10-point deduction.

  • Foreign substances, including ice packed inside the fish, will result in disqualification.

• Each team is responsible for transporting its own cooler.

Weather Policy

• A weather committee consisting of three captains representing varied boat sizes will advise the Tournament Director.

• A minimum of three hours of fishing between 6:00 AM and 1:00 PM is required for a valid tournament.

• In the event of a weather stoppage, a radio call will announce the end of the tournament.

• All boats must return to port and have coolers in line within 1.5 hours of the announcement.

• If the tournament is fully canceled, refunds will be mailed within one week. A portion of the entry fee may be retained to cover unrecoverable expenses.

Protests

• All protests must be submitted in writing with a $50 deposit within five minutes of the last fish being weighed.

• All Tournament Director decisions are final.

Community Conduct

• Participants are guests of the City of Frankfort.

• Any actions by an individual that reflect negatively on the event or the community may result in team disqualification.

Questions

Steve Joslin
Tournament Director
231-633-6775