2023 Sportsman’s Lodge Sturgeon Classic a Success
The Sportsman’s Lodge Annual Sturgeon Classic had a full field of 60 boats and just under 200 anglers that battled it out over two days on Friday May 5 and Saturday May 6 for over $15,000 in cash and prizes awarded. The 17th annual catch and release tournament was headquartered at the beautiful Sportsman’s Lodge and the fishing area was focused on 1.2 mile area right in front of the lodge on the Rainy River. Over 100 sturgeon were caught and released.
Tournament participants not only enjoy a couple of days of sturgeon fishing with friends and family on the Rainy River, an incredible prime rib dinner as part of the tournament fee is part of the tradition as well.
The top two sturgeon of each day were awarded large cash prizes to match their big catch, with third place each day receiving a custom built fishing rod built by Sportsman’s guide, Ralph Christofferson. In addition, many more prizes were awarded for the biggest Bullhead, Sucker, Eel Pout, under 18 years old, and biggest sturgeon caught by a female.
Participants helped raise funds for the Lake of the Woods Take a Kid Fishing Program (TAKF). Through this the participants had the chance to win prizes from generous sponsorships from local businesses and fishing industry providers. The tournament raised over $8,000 for the TAKF event.
Sportsman’s Lodge would like to thank the participants, tournament coordinator and emcee extraordinaire Bryan “Beef” Sathre from Fathead Guide Service, guides, staff, and the gracious sponsors.
Next year’s tournament is scheduled for May 3 & 4, 2024. For more info about the 2024 sturgeon, contact Sportsman’s Lodge at 800-862-8602 or online at www.sportsmanslodges.com.
The spring sturgeon season goes through May 15th. It re-opens again July 1st for some great summer sturgeon action.
