Grand Slam Walleye Tournament?

[musky hunter]

I just did some quick math about the Grand Slam tournament coming up next weekend. 150 boats x 2 anglers per boat x 2 fish per angler per day x 2 days = 1200 displaced walleyes, half over 20". Even if they all survive, I think most will back out into Lake Superior. If there is going to be a tournament, early is better for survival of the fish because of cool temps. But man there is going to be pressure on the ramps next weekend. I'm opposed to the tournament, mainly due to the timing. Am I alone on this one?

[Xplorer]

They were putting flyers on all the vehicles parked at boys scout landing this morning. Looks like the takeoff/weighin is at bayfront park, so I would guess under the highbridge will be crowded. Also watch the boats fly upriver to get towards Hwy 23 bridge. Water temp was 43.5 this morning up near Hwy 23, and all males we caught were milking pretty good. I dont think i will be on the river friday or saturday myself, but just hope most fish released in good shape after a potential ly long boat ride down river.
Xplorer

[loadmaster]

Who is sponsering the tournmnet and I saw another post that 300 entry fee is in place. At least this time they keeping the limit in place not when the pros were here last time. I guess 14ft and 15hp boat is out of the question for next weekend

[musky hunter]

The tournament director is Tom Pfister, a local business man and fisherman. Theres 21 local business that have associated themselves with the tournament, presumably for advertising purposes. I thought the payout was in line with the entry fees, so the tournament itself doesn't seem to me that it could possibly be a big money maker. I don't know who or what might benefit from any excess money collected from the tournament. The only objection I have to it is the timing. Generally, this will attract the more skilled anglers, and I fear many spawining size walleyes will be caught because they will be vulnerable next week end. I just have serious doubts that a walleye caught at the hwy 23 bridge and released at bayfront will swim right back up to the 23 bridge. I think it's going to swim out to lake superior.

[Fishing Junky]

I also think it is bad timing. I am opossed to anything that would harm the St. Louis River fisheries. Tournaments in my opinion should be banned. I fish for fun, not for profit and the average fisherman should not have to compete with 150 boats that more than likely will show no curtousy. Just my opinion. Not a happy camper here. Junky.....

[genio in duluth]

Well, the Grand Slam Tournament is in it's second day with "34" boats. Will any one even notice them? Tom and his crew are doing a nice job getting fish back into the river.
This cool weather should not harm the fish recoverly at all.

[Fishing Junky]

I didn't notice 'em too bad yesterday, but today was a different story. Where the hell is the Coast Gaurd when ya need 'em? Why someone wasn't killed upriver is beyond me. SmokerCraft in paticular. There was alot of unhappy people up there.