I've been turning this idea over in my head for awhile, and this seems like a good time to share it. I don't know yet what I can do this year, but all reading this are welcome to participate. I know not everyone on this site is a fisher person, and I'm not too interested in the anti-fishing sentiment. Of course, non-fisher persons are welcome to rendezvous and socialize. 8-)

This fishing contest would have a few simple rules. There would be four categories, and you could register for any or all of the categories. The categories are: Walleye, Lake Trout, Bass, and Northern Pike. I would register for all four, as you never know what you will catch. 8-)

The lake would be Pickeral Lake, and you could also fish any of the connected lakes without using a portage. That would include French, Rawn, and Batchewaung. So, it's a big area. You could camp on any of these lakes. You must be registered on QJ prior to the beginning of the contest. You must have at least a conservation license. 8-)

For each fish caught, you must measure length and girth and take a photo. It is ok to arrive early to pre-fish the lakes. It is ok to use a fish finder if you have one. It is ok to group with others. 8-)

The conservation limits are followed; 2 walleyes, 2 Northern Pike, 1 Lake Trout, 2 Bass. The winner is determined by total weight in each category. 8-)

Winners will be recognized on the QJ site and at the following Copia Dinner. No known prizes are offered, except for the recognition and admiration of your peers. The purpose is to have a good time. 8-) We operate on the 'Honor System'. 8-)

For those attending Copia, this can be a discussion, or post your thoughts/ideas here. 8-)

Suggested dates: August 23-25, 2019. 8-) What do you think?

I have always thought that any fishing contest sends the wrong message.  I would be more interested in knowing who caught monsters in 2019.

Westwood wrote on Feb 28^th, 2019 at 10:43pm:

I have always thought that any fishing contest sends the wrong message.  I would be more interested in knowing who caught monsters in 2019.

Ok, here you go for 2019, so far.  So, um... they tell me this one swam south from Quetico into MN:
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Jimbo  8-)

Westwood wrote on Feb 28^th, 2019 at 10:43pm:

I have always thought that any fishing contest sends the wrong message.  I would be more interested in knowing who caught monsters in 2019.

So...um...I'm confused. :-/  Any fishing contest sends the wrong message? Seems to me that catching and posting monsters in 2019 is another form of a contest. :-/

My original post was just a suggestion, and I welcome alternate suggestions. 8-)

That was a nice baby polyhumper! I've seen them in Russell and Minn. They are definitely there for the catching. Wouldn't surprise me if they are in Pickeral. 8-)

I hope that there will be a prize for smallest fish of ANY species. That's a contest that I can win. :D

HighnDry wrote on Mar 13^th, 2019 at 2:30am:

I hope that there will be a prize for smallest fish of ANY species. That's a contest that I can win. :D

Jimbo might have something to say about that. 8-)

PhantomJug wrote on Mar 13^th, 2019 at 6:26pm:

HighnDry wrote on Mar 13th, 2019 at 2:30am: I hope that there will be a prize for smallest fish of ANY species. That's a contest that I can win. :D Jimbo might have something to say about that. 8-)

It's true.  I routinely win such competitions as DentonDoc, MagicPaddler, Quentin & others will attest.  They have served as "judges" for our after-dinner shoreline "itty-bitty fishing contests."  Rules were that contestants were allowed but so many casts.  Alas, I sometimes was accused of "bending the rules", requiring intervention & strict interpretations by our esteemed judges panel.  The most frequent complaint was that I was "jigging" and NOT actually "retrieving" my itty-bitty fishing lures after certain casts. That's a subjective judgment call, of course, and - when I had the preferred libation of the majority of judges in stock - it's amazing how those calls went MY way more often than not.

Sadly, I find myself unable to attach a particularly pertinent (& appropriate) photograph of my winning entry from 2009 taken in Woodland Caribou Park.  The JPG size is, apparently, too large.  Let it suffice to say that the winning fish was measured against my  fully extended MIDDLE finger, which was pointing directly at the cameraman.  Hmmm... seems to me I had PJ on my mind at the time.  Clearly, I was gesturing, "Top that, sucker!" 

If I can find some way to post this trophy pic, I will do so... though that bearded version of myself is, perhaps, best left relegated to the darkest recesses of my archives....

Later,

Jimbo   8-)

You guys crack me up with your big fish escapades.

Beat this blue walleye out of Cirrus, legally hooked in the mouth as I recall. The first who can dig up a pic of me holding a larger fish wins a free 2XL hoodie!
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Are you sure your fingers are NOT hiding the TREBLE hooks on that LURE db?  ;) ;D ;D ;D

I've always said that it takes a lot of skill to catch a fish that small! 

Here's my entry. Vertical jigging in 60 feet of water with a 3 inch lure.

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That might have to go in a special category because it appears to be snagged rather than lip caught?  :-/ :-/

I guess the Judges will have their work cut out for them.  ;) ;D ;D

I am equally impressed with db's crisp looking Panama hat.

MB

Hopefully, attached, is my winning entry from the Woodland Caribou Park "Itty Bitty Fishing Contest" of 2009.

Top that, PJ!

Jimbo   8-)

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Jimbo,

You're a tall guy so your digital ruler might not be giving a true representation on just HOW small your catch is.  :-/ ;) ;D ;D

ST,

Was hoping THAT ONE was going to make the cover of the BWJ along with the story he published.  Mysteriously, it did not....

Jimbo   8-)

I’ve seen better looking plastics... ;D

Jimbo wrote on Mar 14^th, 2019 at 2:15pm:

Hopefully, attached, is my winning entry from the Woodland Caribou Park "Itty Bitty Fishing Contest" of 2009. Top that, PJ! Jimbo   8-)

Confirmation of catch.

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I believe this was on Aegean Lake (based on my picture sequence).

dd

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Nice to see that Jimbo has grasped the basics of digital photography... ;)

DentonDoc wrote on Mar 14^th, 2019 at 4:30pm:

Jimbo wrote on Mar 14th, 2019 at 2:15pm: Hopefully, attached, is my winning entry from the Woodland Caribou Park "Itty Bitty Fishing Contest" of 2009. Top that, PJ! Jimbo   8-) Confirmation of catch.   (You need to Login or Register I believe this was on Aegean Lake (based on my picture sequence). dd

DentonDoc,

Bingo!

Shown below is an image of that evening's panel of judges, in action (sort of), sitting (ok, laying) atop their big rock behind our campsite on Aegean.  That's DD in the middle in his light green, permethrin-soaked camp shirt.

By the way, that is one of my favorite all-time lakes & campsites.  The lake featured a 200 foot cliff made almost entirely of quartz as well as a nearby cave that you could paddle into (also shown, below).

Jimbo   8-)

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MossBack wrote on Mar 14^th, 2019 at 2:07pm:

I am equally impressed with db's crisp looking Panama hat. MB

I looked and not only do I still have that hat and the one I wore for years before it in my closet, I'm still sporting their replacement when on trips - hand stitching on both sides of brim and all.

Hey, if it works... I'd kill for those socks and the beard color though.