Big Fish Contest Entry

The Big Fish Contest runs from January 1 to December 31 the same year. We look forward to seeing who wins the plaque and bragging rights each year!

2024 BIG FISH CONTEST RULES

1. Adult entrant must be a current member of Southwest Michigan Steelheaders or immediate family.
2. Kid entrant must be a junior member, immediate family of a member, or be fishing with a current member and 16 years of age and younger.
3. Fish must be caught at one of the following locations:
   • Lake Michigan out of the Port of St. Joseph, Mi, including the St. Joseph pier.
   • Lake Michigan surf within Berrien County
   • St. Joseph River up to the dam in Niles, or in the Paw Paw River up to the former location of the dam in Watervliet, or in the Dowagiac River up to the former location of the Pucker Street dam.
4. Fish must be weighed in at Southwest Michigan Steelheaders weigh-in locations (*Tackle Haven or *Charlie’s Fishin Hole).
5. Fish must be caught by the entrant.
6. The contest runs from January 1 to December 31.
7. There will be 7 fish species and 1 combo – Steelhead, Brown Trout, Lake Trout, King Salmon, Coho Salmon, Walleye, and Perch.
   • There will be 3 places per species and combo.
     • Entrant can only hold 1 place in each species.
   • There will be three divisions. Boat Adult, Boat Kids, and Surf/Pier
8. The Big Fish Combo category will be awarded to the individual with the heaviest combined weight of three different qualifying fish species.
9. All approved MDNR catch methods are legal.
10. Fish Must not be frozen prior to weighing the fish.

BIG FISH CONTEST OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN LOCATIONS

Entry forms are available at the weigh-in locations, or the online form can be used at the online location. https://swmisteelheaders.com/big-fish-contest/

*Charlie’s Fishin Hole, 1127 Main St, Saint Joseph, MI, (269) 982-3474

*TACKLE HAVEN, 741 Riverview Dr, Benton Harbor, MI, (269) 925-0341