All you have to do is go fish; one cast, one bite, one fish...
That's all it takes to be a winner in the 24th annual Skamania Mania fishing contest, set for July 5-6 in Michigan City, Ind.
The free, no preregistration required fishing contest is presented by the Northwest Indiana Steelheaders as part of Michigan City Summer Fest.
The 12 largest steelies caught over the two days win Cabelas gift cards, starting with $200 for first place and going down to $25 for 12th. The 13th best fish wins the best prize, a custom, $500 Xcalibur fishing rod.
Fishing times are 12:01 a.m., July 5 through 4:00 p.m., July 6. All of Lake Michigan and its tributaries may be fished. Weigh-in is from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day at the Steelheaders' tent on the south side of the Michigan City harbor.
Complete Skamania Mania rules are at www.nwisteelheaders.org, or call Mike at 219-221-1340 or 219-771-2201.
What will it take to win? Here's a list of previous champions:
- 1991 Cecil Bailey, Greenwood, Ind. 16 (lbs.) - 4 (oz.)
- 1992 Joe Brennan, Portage 18-14
- 1993 Beverly Kierein, Michigan City 21-10
- 1994 Bob Ramsey, New Buffalo 16-9
- 1995 Bruce Weber, Portage 21-4
- 1996 Art Rozlap, Michigan City 19-2
- 1997 James Wagner, Bristol, Ind. 16-10
- 1998 Dino Capitani, St. Charles. Ill. 15-12
- 1999 Chris Pumroy, LaPorte 22-8
- 2000 Bruce Weber, Portage 13-10
- 2001 Richard Lanting, Griffith 17-12
- 2002 Chad Robson, Frankfort, Ill. 16-8
- 2003 Steve Turner, Michigan City 17-0
- 2004 Nate Krupko, Chicago 21-0
- 2005 Robert Bagley, South Bend 15-15
- 2006 Chris Rogers, Michigan City 15-7
- 2007 Danny Taylor, Elkhart 16-0
- 2008 Joe Gianetti, New Buffalo 14-6
- 2009 Brad Sandberg, Portage 13-6
- 2010 James Wagner, Jones, Mich. 13-13
- 2011 Richard Bom, LaPorte 17-11
- 2012 Dan Roths, Chesterton 14-4
- 2013 Brad Sandberg, Portage 14-3