2025 General Tournament Rules
To view, download or print the 2024 General Tournament Rules please click the download button below.
2025 Big Fish Contest
Steelhead - Brown Trout - Coho - Chinook - Walleye - Lake Trout - Perch
Rules:
• Entrant must be a paid up member of the Battle Creek Chapter or an immediate family member prior to catching an eligible fish.
• Only one prize will be awarded to any one individual except for the awarding of the “MASTER ANGLER AWARD”.
• All entries must be legally caught.
• The contest will run from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025.
• All fish must be entered within 15 days of the date it was caught.
• 10.00 entry fee must be paid by April 16th of each year.
To view, download or print the 2024 Big Fish Contest please click the download button below.
2025 Battle Creek Steelheaders Club Events
The full schedule is available to download and print.
Just click the download button below.
Please click on the month to view the scheduled tournament and events.
You can download and print each event.
JAN 2021- No schedule tournaments
4th Annual Squirrel Blast
Contact Person:
Greg Peck
2530 Portage Rd. Kalamazoo, MI 49001
(269) 998-9407
Rules: Start time 8:00 am – Stop fishing at 1:00 pm.
Weigh-In: 2:30pm Bring your 5 best squirrels to weigh in at Irving Farms 8650 8 mile Rd. Ceresco, Mi 49033. (4 miles South of Binder Park Zoo) Fish fry will follow weigh in.
Registration: Mail no later than one week prior to the tournament. Call or Text Greg Wednesday prior to the hunt.
Entry Fee: $30.00/per 2-man team
Entry Form
DownloadJAN - No schedule tournaments
Portage Lake Vicksburg Open to the Public
Payout based on total number of entry fees less B.C. Chapter expenses. Winners determined by combined weight of five largest pan fish, combined weight of five largest bluegill and weight of largest predator fish. Tie breaker decided by length plus girth.
Contact Person:
Dan Foster
(269) 370-3693
Rules: Begin fishing at 8:00 am – Stop fishing at 12:00 pm. All DNR rules apply; fish must be caught at the time and lake of the tournament being conducted.
Weigh-In: 1:00 pm or sooner at Klines Resort Clubhouse
Registration: Mail no later than one week prior to the tournament. Call or text Justin Wednesday prior to the tournament.
Entry Fee: $10.00 Per Person
FEB 15 - Ice Fishing Tournament – TBA (ICE CONDITIONS)
Open to the Public
Payout based on total number of entry fees less B.C. Chapter expenses. Winners determined by combined weight of five largest panfish, combined weight of five largest bluegill and weight of largest predator fish. Tie breaker decided by length plus girth.
Contact Person:
Justin Kling
1407 N. 28th Street. Kalamazoo MI 49048
(269) 491-2980
Rules: Begin fishing at 8:00 am – Stop fishing at 12:00 pm. All DNR rules apply; fish must be caught at the time and lake of the tournament being conducted.
Weigh-In: 1:00 pm or sooner.
Registration: Mail no later than one week prior to the tournament. Call or text Justin Wednesday prior to tournament.
Entry Fee: $10.00 Per Person
FEB 22 - St. Joe River Trout Quest - I-94 Boat Ramp
ST. JOE RIVER I-94 Boat Ramp Open to the Public
Payout based on total entry fees less B.C. Chapter expenses. Winners determined by 3 heaviest fish per boat; Big Fish winner determined by weight; TIe breaker decided by length plus girth.
Contact Person:
Joe Foy
6118 East H Avenue Kalamazoo Michigan 49048
(269) 303-1894
Rules: Begin fishing at 6:00 am – Stop fishing at 1:00 pm. Limit of nine rods per boat, limit of 3 person catch per boat and all DNR rules apply.
Weigh-In: At 2:00 pm or sooner at the I-94 Boat Ramp.
Registration: Mail no later than one week prior to the tournament. Call or Text Wednesday prior to tournament.
Entry Fee: $15.00 Per Person
MAR 08 - Kalamazoo River Trout Quest – Allegan Dam
Allegan Dam (Trout Only - No Salmon) Open to the Public
Payout based on total number of entry fees less B.C. Chapter expenses. Winners determined by 3 heaviest fish per boat; Big Fish winner determined by weight; tie breaker decided by length plus girth.
Contact Person:
Joe Foy
269-303-1894
Rules: Begin fishing at 6:00 am – Stop fishing at 1:00 pm. Limit of nine rods per boat, limit of 3 person catch per boat and all DNR rules apply.
Weigh-In: At 2:00 pm or sooner at boat launch site. If other than launch site, boat captains will be notified.
Registration: Mail one week prior to the tournament. Call or text Wednesday prior to the tournament.
Entry Fee: $15.00 Per Person
MAR 22 - Kalamazoo River Spring Steelhead – Allegan Dam
KALAMAZOO RIVER Allegan Dam Open to the Public
Payout based on total entry fees less B.C. Chapter expenses. Winners determined by 3 heaviest fish per boat; Big Fish winner determined by weight; tie breaker decided by length plus girth.
Contact Person:
Joe Foy
6118 East H Avenue Kalamazoo Michigan 49048
(269) 303-1894
Rules: Begin fishing at 6:00 am – Stop fishing at 1:00 pm. Limit of nine rods per boat, limit of 3 person catch per boat and all DNR rules apply.
Weigh-In: At 2:00 pm or sooner at Kalamazoo River boat launch sites.
Registration: Mail no later than one week prior to the tournament. Call or Text Wednesday prior to tournament.
Entry Fee: $15.00 Per Person
MAR 29 - Trade A Trip Detroit River - LK. ST. Clair Club
Contact Person:
Joe Foy
(269) 303-1894
Entry Form
downloadAPR 2020 No Tournaments Scheduled
BENTON HARBOR LAKE MICHIGAN Open to the Public
Contact Person:
Greg Peck
2530 Portage Road Kalamazoo, MI 49001
(269) 998-9407
Rules: Begin fishing at 6:00 am – Stop fishing at 1:00 pm. Coho blast total weight of ten fish. DNR rules. 9 rod limit.
Weigh-In: At 2:30 pm or sooner at: Sand Bar Grille, 2701 Lakeshore Dr. St. Joseph, MI.
Registration: Mail no later than one week prior to the tournament. Please call or text Greg Wednesday prior to tournament.
Entry Fee: $20.00 Per Person
Entry Form
downloadAPR 26 Trade A Trip
Thanks to Lake St. Clair Walleye Association for reviving our long-standing Trip Swap / Trade A Trip this year.
We will be hosting the Walleye club through the trader trip swap. We will be taking guys from the other side of the state to fish Lake Michigan.
Entry Form
downloadMAY 05-06 Trip Swap / Trip Swap / Trade a Trip
Thanks to Lake St. Clair Walleye Association for reviving our long-standing Trip Swap / Trade A Trip this year.
On April 28-29th, they have offered to take our members out on their boats on the Detroit River or Lake St. Clair or St Clair River to catch Walleye.
We will be trolling, casting, or jigging on these bodies of water. The Captains will put us on fish Saturday morning. They will also be putting on a Walleye fish fry Saturday afternoon.
Then the following weekend (May 5th & 6th), they will be coming over to visit us here and fish on our boats for Salmon & Trout. We will put on a Fish Boil at River Bend Boat Club on Saturday afternoon.
I need volunteers to help with the Fish Boil meal and Captains with boats to take their members out.
PLEASE offer to help your club out and make this a great day!!! Note: We will be changing the name of this event this year to Keith Krych Trade A Trip as he and his wife, Marilyn, were very active in this event for a number of years. Let's make this a great outing!
Please contact me at 269-370-3693. Thank You. Dan Foster. FishOn
Entry Form
MAY 18 - Lake Michigan Spring Tournament - South Haven/Benton Harbor
SOUTH HAVEN/BENTON HARBOR LAKE MICHIGAN Open to the Public
Contact Person
Dan Foster at: 269-370-3693
Rules: Begin fishing at 6:00 am – Stop fishing at 1:00 pm. Weigh in total weight of ten fish. DNR rules. 9 rod limit.
Weigh-In: At 2:30 pm or sooner at: Riverbend Boat Club
Registration: Mail no later than one week prior to the tournament. Please call or text Dan Foster at 269-370-3693 Wednesday prior to tournament.
Entry Fee: $10.00 Per Person
May 31 - Connie McGowan Invitational – Lake Erie/DBBC
Lake Erie (launch sites from Bolles Harbor to Sterling State Park) (Captain must be a member) Friday May 31st cookout
Pay-Out: TBD
Contact Person:
Joe Foy
6118 East H Avenue Kalamazoo Michigan 49048
269-303-1894
Dan Foster
6630 EAST ML AVE PORTAGE MI 49048 269-370-3693
Rules:
1. There will be a nine rod limit
2. All DNR rules apply
3. You can fish Ohio or Michigan waters
4. You can launch or leave slip 1/2 hour before tournament starts but not before that
5. Once fish are in the box they are to stay
6. Weigh your six heavest walleye, bring only six to the weigh in.
7. You can start fishing at 6:00 you need to quit at 2 o'clock and be in line by 3 o'clock for weigh-in 8. All boats must have VHF radios and monitor ch. 68 Randon Checks may be performed.
9. Captain must be club member.
10. Everyone in boat must be a paid entrant.
11. Must be paid in full by May 26, 2022
12. Cost for 2 meals and use of clubhouse and your entry fee this year 2023 is $70.
13. Capt. is responsible for collecting and turning money in for his boat.
14. Be safe and have a great time and wear your PFD
15. Contact Joe Foy @ 269-303-1894
16: Fish Lake Erie and Connecting waters
Pot-of-Gold: $10 per boat will get you into the trash fish contest, includes sheephead (freshwater drum), carp, suckers, and catfish. No other game fish such as bass, pike or muskie. See Dan Foster at the Friday cook out.
Entry Form
DownloadMAY 29-30 Connie McGowan Invitational – Lake Erie
Lake Erie (launch sites from Bolles Harbor to Sterling State Park) (Captain must be a member) Friday May 31st cookout
Pay-Out: Winners determined by 10 heaviest walleye per boat (10 points per fish and 1 point per pound). Top 4 boats with most points and boat with the biggest walleye will receive cash prizes. Tie breaker for biggest walleye decided by length plus girth.
Contact Person:
Greg Peck
2530 Portage Road Kalamazoo, MI 49001
(269) 998-9407
Rules: Begin fishing at 6:00 am – Stop fishing at 2:00 pm; Limit of nine rods per boat, maximum catch is a 3 person limit per boat, and all DNR rules apply. No culling.
Weigh-In: No later than 3:30 pm at the Detroit Beach Boat Club. Registration: Mail no later than two weeks prior to the tournament.
Boat Slips: A limited number of boat slips and trailer storage are available at the Detroit Beach Boat Club on a first come first serve basis.
Entry Fee: $60 Covers cash prizes and includes a Friday burger and hot dog cook out, and a Saturday grill your own steak with all the fixins. Both cook outs take place at the Detroit Beach Boat Club around 5:30 pm.
Pot-of-Gold: $10 per boat will get you into the trash fish contest, includes sheephead (freshwater drum), carp, suckers, and catfish. No other game fish such as bass, pike or muskie. See Greg Peck at the Friday cook out.
JUN - No Tournaments Scheduled
JUl 19 - Portage Lake Pan Fish/Family Picnic – Vicksburg
(Picnic to be held at Klines Resort on Portage Lake - bring a dish to pass) Open To The Pubic
Winners determined by 5 best pan fish (mixed per DNR note). 5 best bluegills (blue-gills only). Largest predator (pike, walleye, bass). Tie breaker decided by length plus girth.
Contact Person:
Dan Foster
6630 EAST ML AVE PORTAGE MI 49048
269-370-3693
Rules: Begin fishing at 7:00 am – Stop fishing at 12 noon. All DNR rules apply. All fish must be caught at the time and lake of the tournament being conducted.
Weigh-In: At 12:30 pm at registration site; normally the boat launch site on tournament lake.
Registration: Mail no later than one week prior to the tournament. Call or text Dan Wednesday prior to the tournament.
Entry Fee: $10.00 Per Person Kids are Free
Entry Form
downloadAUG 03 - Lake Michigan Memorial – South Haven
South Haven Open To The Pubic
Winners determined by 10 heaviest fish per boat (10 points per fish and 1 point per pound). Big Fish determined by weight; tie breaker decided by length plus girth.
Contact Person:
Dan Foster
6630 EAST ML AVE PORTAGE MI 49048
269-370-3693
Rules: Leave Pier Head at 5:30 am. Begin fishing at 6:00 am – Stop fishing at 1:00 pm. Limit of nine rods per boat, limit of 3 person catch per boat and all DNR rules apply.
Weigh-In: At 2:30 pm or sooner at River Bend Boat Club.
Registration: Mail no later than one week prior to the tournament.
Entry Fee: $20.00
Entry Form
downloadAUG 16 - Veterans Outing – South Haven
Veterans Outing – South Haven
Contact Person:
Dave Middleton
9993 Sprinkle Rd. Portage, MI 49002
269-744-7270
Entry Form
downloadSEPTEMBER - No Tournaments Scheduled
Canceled:
LAKE ERIE Open to the Public
Rules: Begin fishing at 6:00 am – Stop fishing at 1:00 pm. Weigh in total weight of 25 best perch. DNR rules. 9 rod limit.
Contact Person:
John Bibbings
19385 15 1/2 Mile Rd
Marshall, MI. 49068
269-986-7207
Weigh-In: The big plaza. 14750 Laplaisance Rd. Monroe, MI 48161
Registration: Mail form week week prior to tournament. Please call or text John Wednesday prior to tournament.
Entry Fee: $20.00 Per Person
Entry Form
downloadOCT 10 - Perch Tournament – Lake Erie
LAKE ERIE Open to the Public
Rules: Begin fishing at 6:00 am – Stop fishing at 1:00 pm. Weigh in total weight of 25 best perch. DNR rules. 9 rod limit.
Contact Person:
John Bibbings
19385 15 1/2 Mile Rd
Marshall, MI. 49068
269-986-7207
Weigh-In: The big plaza. 14750 Laplaisance Rd. Monroe, MI 48161
Registration: Mail form week week prior to tournament. Please call or text John Wednesday prior to tournament.
Entry Fee: $20.00 Per Person
Entry Form
downloadOCT 25 - Kalamazoo River Salmon Slam– Allegan Dam
Allegan Dam Open to the Public
Payout based on total number of entry fees less B.C. Chapter expenses. Winners determined by 3 heaviest sh per boat; Big Fish winner determined by weight; tie breaker decided by length plus girth.
Contact Person:
Joe Foy
269-303-1894
Rules: Begin fishing at 6:00 am – Stop fishing at 1:00 pm. Limit of nine rods per boat, limit of 3 person catch per boat and all DNR rules apply.
Weigh-In: At 2:00 pm or sooner at boat launch site. If other than launch site, boat captains will be notified.
Registration: Mail one week prior to the tournament. Call or text Wednesday prior to the tournament.
Entry Fee: $15.00 Per Person
Entry Form
downloadOCT 31 - Kalamazoo River Memorial – Allegan Dam
Allegan Dam (Trout Only - No Salmon) Open to the Public
Payout based on total number of entry fees less B.C. Chapter expenses. Winners determined by 3 heaviest sh per boat; Big Fish winner determined by weight; tie breaker decided by length plus girth.
Contact Person:
Joe Foy
269-303-1894
Rules: Begin fishing at 6:00 am – Stop fishing at 1:00 pm. Limit of nine rods per boat, limit of 3 person catch per boat and all DNR rules apply.
Weigh-In: At 2:00 pm or sooner at boat launch site. If other than launch site, boat captains will be notified.
Registration: Mail one week prior to the tournament. Call or text Wednesday prior to the tournament.
Entry Fee: $15.00 Per Person
Entry Form
downloadNOV 08 - Kalamazoo River Trout Quest – Allegan Dam
Allegan Dam (Trout Only - No Salmon) Open to the Public
Payout based on total number of entry fees less B.C. Chapter expenses. Winners determined by 3 heaviest fish per boat; Big Fish winner determined by weight; tie breaker decided by length plus girth.
Contact Person:
Joe Foy
269-303-1894
Rules: Begin fishing at 6:00 am – Stop fishing at 1:00 pm. Limit of nine rods per boat, limit of 3 person catch per boat and all DNR rules apply.
Weigh-In: At 2:00 pm or sooner at boat launch site. If other than launch site, boat captains will be notified.
Registration: Mail one week prior to the tournament. Call or text Wednesday prior to the tournament.
Entry Fee: $15.00 Per Person
Entry Form
downloadNOV 15 - Kalamazoo River Memorial – Allegan Dam
Allegan Dam (Trout Only - No Salmon) Open to the Public
Payout based on total number of entry fees less B.C. Chapter expenses. Winners determined by 3 heaviest sh per boat; Big Fish winner determined by weight; tie breaker decided by length plus girth.
Contact Person:
Joe Foy
269-303-1894
Rules: Begin fishing at 6:00 am – Stop fishing at 1:00 pm. Limit of nine rods per boat, limit of 3 person catch per boat and all DNR rules apply.
Weigh-In: At 2:00 pm or sooner at boat launch site. If other than launch site, boat captains will be notified.
Registration: Mail one week prior to the tournament. Call or text Wednesday prior to the tournament.
Entry Fee: $15.00 Per Person
NOV 29 - St. Joe River Tune-Up Steelhead – I-94 Boat Ramp
St. Joseph River Open to the Public
Payout based on total number of entry fees less B.C. Chapter expenses. Winners determined by 3 heaviest fish per boat; Big Fish winner determined by weight; tie breaker decided by length plus girth.
Contact Person:
Joe Foy
269-303-1894
Rules: Begin fishing at 6:00 am – Stop fishing at 1:00 pm. Limit of nine rods per boat, limit of 3 person catch per boat and all DNR rules apply.
Weigh-In: At 2:00 pm or sooner at I-94 boat launch site. If other than launch site, boat captains will be notified.
Registration: Mail one week prior to the tournament. Call of text Wednesday prior to the tournament.
Entry Fee: $15.00 Per Person
Entry Form
downloadDEC 06 - St. Joe River Chapter Challenge – On The River Tavern
Gentlemen,
Good morning, I hope this mail finds you and your families doing well.
As we prepare for the upcoming Winter Challenge event and continue to look for ways to grow our clubs membership and build support for the MSSFA, we will be requiring that all participants in the year's fishing tournament event be an active member of a MSSFA club. As you know, most participants are active members of the BC or SW clubs at the time of the tournament, but we strongly believe we will get new members as part of this requirement.
To this end, I will need to verify with one of you, once all entries are received, that all participants registering as a BC member are active and current according to your records. We can discuss in more detail as we get close, but I wanted to make the two of you aware of this change.
Please find a copy of the Winter Challenge entry form attached and distribute as you see fit.
We look forward to seeing you and the BC club members in a few weeks.
Regards,
Ryan McCartney
Please click the link below to download the 2021 Winter Challenge Form.
2021 Entry Form
Entry Form
downloadDEC 13 - Christmas Party – Kalamazoo Eagles
2025 Christmas Party
This is a friendly reminder that the Christmas party is on December 14th. If you haven’t followed our event calendar or made it to meetings, you can sign up to help with prizes or show up as usual.
Please bring a dish to pass, your own tableware, and a gift for the raffle table. 15.00 per person, this includes the cost of meat. Prime Rib and Rotisserie Chicken will be provided. Adult beverages can be purchased at the bar. Soft drinks will be provided
The event starts at 6 pm.
Location: same place. Eagles Lodge 1332 Branch St. Kalamazoo.
Please contact Jeff Root at 269 370-8515 or Dan Foster at 269 370-3693. Letting us know how many are in your party will help us with additional prizes and food.
Come hungry and ready to enjoy a great evening. See you there.
Happy holidays to all.
Entry Form
downloadFor More Information
River Tournaments
Joe Foy - (269) 303-1894
St. Joe River Trout Quest
Ice Tournaments
Justin Kling – (269) 491-2980
Lake Tournaments
Dan Foster – 269) 370-3693
Captain and Crew Members
In need of a crew member or if you would like to hook-up with a boat captain? Just call one of your fellow steelheaders listed below.
Menu
HomeCommunity OutreachTournament & EventsFishing Results /GalleryFish Talk NewsletterAbout UsBecome a MemberSponsors / LinksMSSFAOur Sponsors
The Battle Creek Steelheaders would like to thank all of our sponsors. The Steelheaders appreciate your continued support. For their generosity we ask the membership to please support our sponsors.
© Copyright Battle Creek Steelheaders. All Rights Reserved
© Copyright Battle Creek Steelheaders.
All Rights Reserved