Southwest Michigan Steelheaders

A Chapter of the Michigan Steelhead & Salmon Fishermen's Association

2025 Winter Challenge

36th Annual
2025 Winter Challenge River Tournament Dual

Dates: Saturday, December 6th, 2025 & Saturday, February 21st, 2026

Place: St. Joseph River (RR Bridge in St. Joe to Berrien Springs Dam)

Members Fee: $60 Boat or $30 Shore Angler*

Start: 6:00 AM (Launch any time but no fishing before 6:00 AM)

Finish: 3:30 PM (Must be in weigh-in line at Sandbar by 3:30 PM)

Weigh-in: Sandbar 2701 Lakeshore Dr, St Joseph

Entry Deadline for December Contest: December 5, 2025 – 5:00 PM – Completed Entry Form Required.

Who Can Participate: This is an open event to members and non-members alike. If you’d like to become a member, please fill out the membership application.

Entry Form for December 2025 Tournament Dual

Rules:

  1. Completed Entry Form Required.
  2. All DNR Rules Apply.
  3. River fishing limits are from the railroad bridge in St. Joseph upstream to the
    Berrien Springs Dam. You may fish from shore or boat, but you must fish in the St. Joseph River.
  4. Steelhead And Brown Trout can be weighed
  5. Weigh biggest 3 fish, biggest fish for side bets if entered
    Fees:
  6. *Fees for non Steelheader members: additional $20 for boats, additional $10 for shore angler.
  7. Optional $20 Big Fish Side Pot
  8. Optional $20 Per Boat Side Pot – Blind draw teams, combined Big Fish weight
Contact: Jarrod Hasse (269) 930-0622

Summary of Tournament Changes 2025

● Tournament will now have two dates with an overall winner being crowned at the
end of the last tournament. Winner will be determined by combining weights
from each tournament. Winner will have name added to trophy.
● Blind draw teams, Teams will be randomly selected. The big fish from both teams
will be combined, team with most combined big fish weight wins
● Traveling chapter trophy will be decided at the end of the second tournament.
Three biggest fish from each chapter for each tournament will be added to decide
which chapter takes home the traveling trophy
● Top 5 payout for main event top two for each side bet
● This is an open event, but any Steelheader chapter member will have a
discounted entry fee. This is to help promote the Steelheaders and increase
participation across clubs.

Category: