2026 Tournament Info & Rules

The tournament must be fished on the Richmond Horseshoe (Sauk River) Chain of Lakes. The tournament area is on the Horseshoe Chain of Lakes (Sauk River Chain of Lakes). The following Lakes are included- Horseshoe Lake, Krons Bay, East Lake, Mud Lake, Cedar Island Lake, Long Lake, Becker Lake, Koetter Lake, Knaus Lake, Bolfing Lake, Krays Lake, Park Lake, Northern Lake, Zumwalles Lake, North Browns, and the Sauk River between the lakes.

To enter the tent, a lanyard is required. Lanyards will be provided with the purchase of a fishing ticket and can be picked up at the tent. Please remember to wear your lanyard for the duration of the event. 

Tournament Days & Times:

• Start: Friday, 3:00 PM
   
• End: Saturday, 3:00 PM
   
• Ticket Sales: Onsite and online tickets available until Saturday, 12:00 PM
   

Weigh-In Times (ONLY during these hours):

• Friday: 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
   
• Saturday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
   
• Weigh-in closes promptly at 3:00 PM Saturday

1. Tournament Ticket Required
    
   • One valid ticket is required on your person to participate.
      
   • Maximum of 5 fishing tickets per participant.
      
   • No ticket refunds.
      

1. Eligible Fish
    
   • Channel Catfish ONLY.
      

1. Fishing Equipment
    
   • Fish houses are allowed – all types and brands welcome.
      

1. Tournament Times
    
   • Start: Friday, 3:00 PM (please respect the start time – no early start)
      
   • Participants may fish part or all of the multi-day tournament.
      
   • Tent/Ticket Sales: Friday opens at 9:00 AM, Saturday opens at 7:00 AM.
      
   • There will be no whistle, siren, or gun signal at the start due to the size of the Horseshoe Chain of Lakes.
      

1. Fair Play & Sportsmanship
    
   • All participants are expected to respect the honor system.
      
   • Follow all fishing rules and regulations.
      
   • Show respect to fellow participants and the lakes.
      

1. Cleanup & Environment
    
   • Be kind and pick up and clean your fishing area when finished.
      
   • DNR regulations apply for littering or disposal of garbage of any kind.
      

1. Most Important Rule:
    
   • HAVE FUN! 🎣
      

• All weighed-in fish become property of the Richmond Firefighters Relief Association and will be cleaned, cooked, or disposed of.
   
• Participants may choose to have their caught fish released instead of turned in.
   
• A tournament ticket is required to weigh in a fish.
   
• Weigh-In Times:
   
  • Friday: 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
     
  • Saturday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
     
• To qualify for weigh-in, participants must be in line before 3:00 PM on Saturday.
   
• Weigh-In Cutoff: 3:00 PM Saturday (no exceptions).
   
• Weigh-In Tent Location: Cedar Island (also known as East Lake).
   

🎣 Even if you don’t weigh in, you can still have fun and enjoy the tournament!

• Start: Friday, 3:00 PM (No Early Starts)
   
• End: Saturday, 3:00 PM (Sharp)
   
• Weigh-In Times:
   
  • Friday: 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
     
  • Saturday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
     
• Fishing Ticket Sales: Onsite and online end at 12:00 PM Saturday
   

• Must have at least 1 valid ticket to fish during the tournament. Ticket must be on your person BEFORE fishing.
   
• Ticket-to-Fish Rule:
   
  • 1 ticket = 1 fish
     
  • 2 tickets = 2 fish, etc.
     
  • Maximum of 5 fish/tickets per person
     
• Slot Limits:
   
  • Only 1 fish registered per person within a slot, per day, over 24 inches.
     

• Only Channel Catfish accepted
   
• Live fish only (no frozen fish)
   
• No speared catfish allowed
   
• Must present ticket at weigh-in
   
• All fish weighed in become property of the Richmond Firefighters Relief Association (cleaned, cooked, or disposed of).
   
  • Option to release your fish instead
     

• Fish houses are allowed (any kind/brand)
   
• Must follow Minnesota Fishing Regulations – it is your responsibility to know and follow them
   
• No transporting fish with water in live wells, pails, or tubs from lake to lake or on roads
   

• No refunds, returns, or exchanges
   
• Tournament proceeds regardless of weather
   
• Respect all participants and follow the honor system
   
• Litter/Garbage Rule: All trash must be contained – nothing left on the ice
   

🎣 Even a small fish can win a big prize!

• Follow all rules, respect the lakes, and have fun!

Bathrooms are available by the weigh in tent

• Prizes for Special Places:
   
  • 100th, 150th, and 200th places
     
  • Smallest fish weighed in
     
• How Prizes Are Determined:
   
  • Tournament prize places are based on the heaviest fish weighed in
     
  • Prizes and their value are scattered throughout all places
     
  • Even a small fish can win a big prize!
     
• Weigh-In Requirement:
   
  • Prize list applies only to turned-in weighing tickets (based on weight)
     
  • Tickets not turned in are ineligible for prize drawing
     
• Other Important Notes:
   
  • You do not need to be present to win a prize
     
  • Additional prizes may be added for fish weighed in up to and including the day of the tournament
     
  • Check the website for the most up-to-date prize information
    
    🎣 Every fish counts – even the smallest one can win!

• Cost: $20.00 per ticket
   
• Ticket Requirement:
   
  • MUST have a ticket to fish in the tournament
     
  • Maximum of 5 tickets per participant (register up to 5 fish)
     
  • Ticket must be in hand BEFORE fishing begins
     
  • You may be asked to show your ticket at any time during the tournament
     
  • Ticket must be presented at weigh-in
     
• Ticket Sales End: Saturday, 12:00 PM
   
• No refunds, returns, or exchanges
   

Purchase Tickets:

• Online: [Click Here]
   
• In-Person: Brinkys Liquor or Channel Marine, Richmond, MN
   

🎣 No ticket = no fishing – make sure you have yours before you start!

Minnesota DNR Fishing Regulations

Sauk River Chain of Lakes Association

Where to buy a license