Mark Your Calendar for the 44th Annual Minnesota Bound Crappie Contest

A Lake Minnetonka tradition is being renewed with a new name.

The 44th Annual Minnesota Bound Crappie Contest will take place next Saturday, May 5—with contest headquarters at Lord Fletchers.

Also new this year to contest festivities, a Minnesota Teen Challenge banquet is set for 7 p.m. Friday evening, May 4, at Lord Fletchers—featuring guest speaker Vikings quarterback, Christian Ponder.

To enter the crappie contest, $5 entry forms are available from all Minnesota Cub Food stores or may be purchased for $10 the day of the contest at contest headquarters. A fundraising fish fry also is being sponsored for Fishing for Life.

Minnesota Bound television host, Ron Schara, said upwards of $50,000 in prizes will be awarded in various ways, including biggest crappies for adult and youth divisions. Any contestant who enters a crappie will be eligible for prizes, including the grand prize, a G3 Guide V-14 boat, a Yamaha 9.9 outboard and trailer.

“In my eyes, the annual crappie event is a tribute to the sport of fishing in Minnesota, leading to the walleye opener," Schara said. "The crappie is a great fish for kids to catch—kids of any age."

Contest hours are from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Each contestant may weigh one crappie to be eligible for prizes. Proceeds from the contest will go to Fishing for Life and Minnesota Teen Challenge.

During the day, the DNR and Minnesota Bass Federation members, along with the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District, will provide information to boaters leaving the lake about invasive species rules. 

Contest sponsors include Cub Foods, Cabelas, Old Dutch, KARE-11 and Outdoor News.

For more information on the Minnesota Bound Crappie Contest, please call Kelly Jo McDonnell at 952-545-9471 X200 or Kelly@mnbound.com or check the rules at www.mnbound.com