May your hats be big…Your mint juleps fine…Hey all you ladies…
It’s fishing derby time!
The 11th Annual Girls Gone Fishing tournament will be held again this year at River Bend Resort on the weekend of June 1st. 
The tournament is located on the Rainy River towards the northern end of Wheelers Point, MN. What started out as a lighthearted outing between just a hand full of women has turned into a two-day extravaganza. This year’s theme is the Kentucky Derby so get your costumes ready to enjoy fun and festivities.
“Participants are not only fishing in a tournament” Says tournament organizer and River Bend Resort owner Brandi Johnson. “These ladies take fun to extreme with costumes, decorated boats, and participate in quite a few other activities” Brandi continues “All in the name of women having fun inside of a little friendly competition that has grown to pay out fairly big prizes”.
An idea of getting all the girls together for Girls Gone fishing fun and competition, has remained just that. However, over the past several years it has grown into the event not to miss. “River Bend’s Girls Gone Fishing” is not only a fishing tournament. It is a “Costume Contest”. It is a “Best Guide” competition. It is a “Best Decorated Boat” extravaganza!! It is the event of ALL events this side of the Mississippi and this far north of the lower 48!!
Some ladies fish on their own. Most decide to allow their male counterparts to guide them. It’s okay to let the guys in on some of the fun after all.
One great option some Girls Gone Fishing take advantage of is to hire a guide or a charter boat and fish two or even three teams of 2 ladies per boat. Talk about fun! Everything is provided, rods, reels, tackle, licensed charter captain, etc. And these guides know where the fish are!
Guys are allowed to guide, but cannot fish. They can certainly help take fish off of the hook and bait hooks, which makes it nice for some of the ladies who don’t fish 
To sign up for the 2024 tournament, simply fill out this online application or print it off and send it in.
Lake of the Woods is known as the Walleye Capital of the World™ and is one of the healthiest fisheries around. Check out the MN DNR website to find out about limits and licenses. This time of year the waters of the big lake are so fresh and that makes eating those walleyes extra special. Bring your catch to the kitchen staff and they will cook up a fine meal to be remembered as one of your best feasts ever.
Tournament Date: June 1st – Rules Meeting: May 31st at 7:00 PM
$250 Per Team: Entry fee includes meal, door prize tickets, and tournament shirt.
Prizes throughout the weekend include: best dressed Kentucky Derby team, best-decorated boat, best-dressed guide, top guide, horse race winners, and more.
Registration can be picked up at River Bend Resort, The Walleye Inn, or filled out and sent electronically, or downloaded and mailed in with your entry fee.
Here’s a look at the schedule for the upcoming weekend.
Friday, May 31st
5-7pm: Registration
7-7:15pm: Welcome/Rules Meeting
7:15-8pm: Horse Racing Games (River Side)
8pm-Midnight: Music & Bonfire
Saturday, June 1st
8-8:55am: Boat Inspections River Bend Docks
8:55am: National Anthem
9am: Boats Released & Girls Gone Fishing Tournament Begins!
4pm: Boats Must Be At (or in sight of) River Bend Docks
4-5pm: Weigh-Ins
5pm: Group Picture in Tourney Shirts (Hill Side in Front of Cabin 4)
5:15-6pm: Break to Change Into Costume (Kentucky Derby Theme)
6-8pm: Fish Fry (Bring your ticket to the bar to get it stamped)
7:30pm: Awards & Raffle
8:30-1am: Band
Be sure to check out the Lake of the Woods website at: www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com
For additional lodging click on the Lodging tab.
See our FaceBook page at: www.facebook.com/lakeofthewoodsmn
Also see RiverBend’s FaceBook page at: www.facebook.com/riverbendresortlow
