A state level fishing tournament will be wrapping up a summer of competitive angling and live weigh-ins from Aune Osborn Campground when the Michigan BASS Nation 2019 State Championship launches Friday and Saturday, Sept. 13 and 14, bringing some of the Mitten State’s best bass fishermen to the St. Marys River.
Come watch as over 50 anglers begin their hunt for large and small mouth bass when they launch their boats at 7 a.m. from the scenic campground. Then join in for live weigh-ins emceed by radio personality Glenn Cook beginning at 3 p.m. both days.
The Michigan BASS Nation 2019 State Championship is the third and final fishing tournament that the Sault Ste. Marie Convention & Visitors Bureau will be bringing to the area this year. Two previous walleye tournaments have brought hundreds of spectators to the campground to watch weigh-ins. As with the previous weigh-ins, this week’s tournament will also be free to attend for the public.
“What they’re fishing for is a chance to make a 21-man state team that competes in a regional tournament put on by BASS Nation,” said tour director Gary Emerson. “The top two guys from every state, boaters and co-anglers, then go to a national tournament. The top four from that go to the BASS Master Classic and compete with the pros.”
According to the Michigan Bass National website, the top 11 boaters and top 10 co-anglers after the two days of fishing will be the 21 men who move on to the BASS National Central Region tournament in Spring 2020.
The Michigan BASS National State Championship was previously in Sault Ste. Marie for the 2015 edition of the event.
“They can fish anywhere they can get to by American water,” added Emerson. “Our policy is 100 percent catch and release. Everything goes back into the water.”
Reports indicated that boats from the previous two tournaments traveled as far west as Tahquamenon and as far south as the Straits area to find lunkers.
Competitors will weigh-in their five largest bass and co-anglers will be able to bring in their three best catches. Emerson noted, “They are fishing for trophies and a spot on the (Central Region) team.”
In addition to the state championship, there will be a marshals tournament too where $250 will go to the top place winner and $50 to the largest fish. Marshals will fish on the same boat with one of the registered competitors. For more information contact Gary Emerson via email or phone at gemerson@michiganbass.net or (734) 536-2506. You can also register by visiting here. A blow day in case of inclement weather is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 15.
