Cast a Line, Change a Life
Fishing is more than just a pastime in Minnesota—it’s a tradition that brings families, friends, and communities together on the water. Each year, anglers from all walks of life gather for the Minnesota Fishing Challenge, a tournament that’s about far more than trophies and bragging rights. It’s about making a real difference in the lives of men, women, and teens overcoming addiction through the life-changing programs at Mn Adult & Teen Challenge.
What Anglers Can Expect
If you’re registered to fish, here are some highlights to help you prepare:
- Rules & Rally: Attendance at the rules meeting on Friday, May 30 is essential. This is where you’ll turn in your fundraising money and raffle tickets, review tournament divisions, and get all the details on weigh-in procedures. Dinner will be provided.
- Flexible Divisions: Whether you’re fishing for walleye, panfish, pike, or aiming for a mixed bag, you can declare your division once you’re back on the beach before weighing your catch.
- Fair Play & Conservation: The Minnesota Fishing Challenge is a live release tournament. The goal is to keep fish healthy, so weigh-ins are carefully organized with official bags and staggered timing to avoid stressing fish.
- Weigh-In Festivities: Scales open at 1:00 p.m., but everyone must be checked in by 3:00 p.m. sharp at Cragun’s Beach. Expect a festive atmosphere with family, friends, and even celebrity anglers on site.
- Prizes & Celebration: Top finishers in each division get the chance to walk through the prize tent, and one lucky winner will take home a new Lund boat rigged with electronics!
Why It Matters
Every cast you make and every dollar you raise goes beyond the water. Funds from the Minnesota Fishing Challenge directly support Mn Adult & Teen Challenge’s efforts to provide addiction recovery, prevention programs for youth, and faith-based counseling that brings healing to individuals and families.
Lives are being changed because of the generosity of anglers and donors who see fishing as more than sport—it’s a way to bring hope.
Get Involved
- Register to Fish: Teams of two can sign up and begin raising support leading up to the tournament.
- Donate: Even if you can’t be on the water, you can sponsor a team or donate directly to MnTC.
- Cheer Us On: Bring your friends and family to Cragun’s Beach on tournament day to enjoy the weigh-in, festivities, and celebration of lives transformed.