Event - Minnesota High School Muskie State Championship

State Championship – Event Details

August 7, 2026
17th Annual Minnesota High School Muskie State Championship

Venue and Details

Tournament Director: Dave Schueck, 612-770-0495

The 17th annual Minnesota High School Muskie State Championship, in cooperation with the Hugh
Becker Foundation and Minnesota Muskies Inc. chapters, will be held as follows:

Location: Lake Vermilion
Host: Vermilion Dam Lodge (VDL), 3276 Randa Road, Orr, Minnesota 55771
Date/Time: Friday, August 7, 2026 from 6:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Facebook:
FishDonkey: “2026 Minnesota High School Muskie State Championship”
FishDonkey Link:
Max Boats: 30

Schedule:: 5:00-6:00 AM at VDL: Boat launching and AIS inspection; 6:00-6:30 AM at VDL: Mandatory rules meeting and boat number assignments; 6:30 AM – 2:30 PM: Tournament fishing; 2:30-3:30 PM at VDL: Awards, free prizes, and catered lunch. Students must be present in order to receive their free prizes.

Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)

All boat captains must complete a Lake Vermilion Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Rules Compliance Form prior to tournament participation. Boat inspection locations and times will be emailed to all participants and boat captains.

view/print ais form

Registration

Students must have qualified for this tournament in order to register. Registration is required to participate in this tournament. Registration opens on July 13, 2026.
Entry Fee: FREE

Eligibility Criteria

Student

Must qualify in order to participate in this tournament.

Must have a team partner identified at time of registration.

Not required to be affiliated with a high school fishing organization or team.

Adult

One adult boat operator must accompany the team (of 2 students).

Must be 19 years of age or older.

Must provide name and contact info at time of registration.

Must have watercraft liability insurance at time of registration.

Must have completed and passed a background check prior to time of registration.

Rules and Scoring

Tournament participants and adult boat operators are expected to read the rules and scoring system prior to the event.

Read Rules Now

Advancing to State Championship

The top 2 teams from each Muskies, Inc. chapter qualifier tournament will advance to the state championship.

If any Muskies, Inc. chapter doesn’t run a qualifier tournament, then they are still permitted to send 2 at-large teams to the state championship.

The top 2 teams from each Minnesota Youth Muskie Tournament Trail (MYMTT) qualifier tournament will advance to the state championship.

“Team of the Year” from the Minnesota Youth Muskie Tournament Trail (MYMTT) will advance to the state championship.