2025 River Bend’s 12th Annual “Girls Gone Fishing” Event

Hear Ye, Hear Ye! Lovely Ladies of Lake of the Woods in the Minnesota Kingdom once again announce the tournament we call Girls Gone Fishing!

Once again River Bend Resort is the hosting this fantastic Tournament on June 7^th.

“These ladies take fun to the extreme with costumes, decorated boats, and participate in quite a few other activities… All in the name of women having fun inside of a little friendly competition that has grown to pay out fairly big prizes!” says Brandi Johnson, Tournament Organizer & River Bend Resort Owner.

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!!

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.

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 all that often.

Ladies love to dress up and decorate and this has shown itself to be true in past years of the tournament.  Themes in the past have seen pirates, Kentucky Derby entrees, rock stars and many more. These ladies know how to celebrate and also know how to fish!!! Then they know how to enjoy some of the best eating anywhere as they feast on River Bend’s Saturday Night Fish Fry and then dance away to live music.

Each team consists of two people and pay $250 Per Team: Entry fee includes meal, door prize tickets, and tournament shirt. There will be a rules meeting on Friday, June 6^th at 7:00 p.m. at River Bend.

Prizes throughout the weekend include: the best-dressed medieval team, best-decorated boat, best-dressed guide, top guide, and more.

Registration can be picked up at River Bend Resort, The Walleye Inn, or filled out electronically on River Bend’s website at www.riverbendresort.com or download the application and mailed it in with your entry fee.

This is the 2025 Itinerary:

Friday, June 6th

5-7pm:   Registration

7-7:15pm:   Welcome/Rules Meeting

8pm-Midnight:   Music & Bonfire

Saturday, June 7th

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 (Medieval Times Theme)

6-8pm:   Fish Fry (Bring your ticket to the bar to get it stamped)

7:30pm:   Awards & Raffle 

8:30-1am:   DJ

Ladies….sign up now for one of the greatest events of the season on Lake of the Woods.

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