Battle on Bago Results

The 2014 Battle on Bago is officially in the book, a season that will go down as the year of the Burbot.  For those of you that have never heard of this fish, it also goes by the name Eelpout or Lawyer.  These slimy creatures spawn in the shallows along hard bottom throughout Lake Winnebago in mid February and can grow in excess of 8 pounds!  The Battle on Bago just so happened to coincide perfectly with the Burbot spawn, making these poor creatures a heavily targeted species for the thousands of anglers competing in the tournament.

A total of 3701 fish were registered this year, with 2.268 lbs taking the final prize at 700th place.  Out of the top 700 places, 3 White Bass, 48 Walleyes, and 649 Burbot were registered!  This means that 92.7% of the prize eligible fish were Burbot!  There has never been such species domination in the Battle up until this year.  Approximately 830 Burbot were registered this year, which cannot be a good sign for the future of this species!

Burbot AKA Eelpout or Lawyer

Congratulations to Sam Lehman for winning this year's battle with a 9.733 pound Walleye!  A big congratulations goes out to the lucky big prize winners; Kyle Pawelkiewicz won the Ford F-150 with a 3.977 pound Burbot, Dale Dobbratz took home the Lund 1875 Impact with a 150 horsepower Mercury Fourstroke, and Mike Lorbecke walked away with a Lund 1650 Rebel XL with Mercury 90hp Motor.

 Final Results

Anglers registered 43 Walleyes weighing less than 0.15 lbs, which were from last years spring hatch.  These fish were harvested simply to fill a ticket that anglers had absolutely no chance of winning a prize with anyways.  I hope anglers next year realize that a fish that small simply won't place high enough to win a prize and will release these fish rather than bringing them to the scales.

Another touchy subject this year was the sale of tickets from angler to angler.  Guys that didn't catch any fish during the two day event were selling their tickets to anglers getting in line to register fish.  If anglers had more fish than tickets, they were asked by others if they wanted to purchase a ticket to be able to register their extra fish.  This should not be allowed, as ticket sales end before the Battle begins.

The top 3 places were taken by huge Walleyes weighing 9.733, 7.595, and 7.354 pounds respectively.  There is some speculation amongst anglers that these fish were not likely legally caught during the event.  With such a lack of Walleyes registered in the top 700, it seems a little fishy that these large Walleyes were taken during the event.  There will be a lie detector test administered on Monday following the event for the winners of large prizes, so we will have to wait and see what comes of this.  This could open up another can of worms, as if it were determined that someone at the top cheated, this would change the results for everyone that won a prize all the way down to 700th.  People that took 151st or 401st would be very angry, as a cheater caused them to miss their prize!

With such a large tournament being run on simple rules and no enforcement, cheating becomes an unfortunate part of the game that until enforced, will continue for years to come in Battle on Bago.  It will be interesting to see what changes will be made to the Battle on Bago for 2015.  I really hope that the creators of the event reach out to the competitors to ask for their input on suggested changes to continue the Battle on Bago's expansion each year.

Battle on Bago 2014

Since Battle on Bago was created in 2008, each year the event continues to grow and attract ice fishermen from Wisconsin and beyond.  This year will be no exception, as participation in this year’s event is expected to blow last year’s numbers out of the water!

This year the event will be held on February 21 and 22, with the fishing tournament running from 6:00am on Friday morning and going until 2:00pm on Saturday afternoon.  Anglers may register Walleyes, Perch, Crappies, Bluegill, White Bass, and Burbot (Eelpout).  The event will be held out of Menominee Park in Oshkosh, and will feature over $160,000 in prizes awarded for the fishing tournament alone.  This year prizes will be awarded in 5 place increments down to 700^th place! (See Prizes Below) 

Jiffy Propane Auger

The weigh-in station at Menominee Park will be open on Friday from 4-8pm, and on Saturday from 9am-2pm.  Anglers must be in line with their fish by 2:00pm to register their fish.   Tournament Boundaries for this event include Lakes Poygan, Winneconne, Butte des Morts, and Winnebago.  The rivers connecting these lakes are out of bounds, only the lakes themselves listed above may be fished.

Ford F-150 (150th Place) Lund 1875 Impact (400th Place) Lund 1650 Rebel XL (600th Place)

Tickets for the fishing tournament can be purchased at area Fleet Farm stores, The Reel Shot in Oshkosh, Critters Wolf River Sports in Winneconne, Dutch’s Trading Post in Fond du Lac, Wendt’s on the Lake in Van Dyne, Tew’s Two Sporting Goods in Oshkosh, Festival Foods in Oshkosh, Jerry’s Bar in Oshkosh, and Fox River Bait and Tackle in Oshkosh.

For those not into the fishing thing, there will also be over $100,000 worth of prizes awarded through the raffle.  Raffle tickets can be purchased at the event 1/$5 or 5/$20. A list of the raffle prizes can be found below as well.  The great thing about Battle on Bago is what they are doing with the proceeds of this event!  Each year Battle on Bago gives back to the fishery by donating money to the DNR and area fishing clubs for conservation of the fishing resources.  Battle on Bago has also played a huge role in the youth fishing efforts in the area, donating money to countless kids fishing events as well as getting high school students into the sport of ice fishing. 

There will also be ample entertainment opportunities during the Battle on Bago weekend at Menominee Park.  On Friday night from 5-10pm there will be a fish fry, which will transition into live music by the band Road Trip which will go until 11pm.  On Saturday there will be live music from 11:30am-3:00pm by Happy Schnaaps Combo.  At 4:00pm, John Gillespie will be on hand to award the fishing tournament prizes, and also the raffle prizes at 5:00pm. 

If you are looking for something to do this weekend to get out of the house and get some fresh air, Battle on Bago is the perfect opportunity to get the entire family out for a few hours of fishing or just hanging around Menominee Park partaking in the festivities there.  We hope to see everyone at Menominee Park this weekend, best of luck to all!

2014 Fishing Prizes

1	$2014
2	$750
3	$500
4	$250
5	$250
6	Jiffy Propane Auger
7	Jiffy Propane Auger
8	Savage Axis 30 06
9	Grizzly 60 Cooler
10	Grizzly 60 Cooler
15	Mills Fleet Farm Gift Certificate
20	Mills Fleet Farm Gift Certificate
25	$250
30	Guided Whitefish Trip for 4 - Sturgeon Bay - Trophy Ice Fish
35	Frabill Fishing Package
40	Knox County Illinois 5 Day Bow Hunting Package
45	Frabill Grey Suit XL
50	$500
55	Marcum LX5 Ice System
60	Frabill Grey Suit L
65	Weatherby PA-08 12 Gauge
70	Battle on Bago Prize Package
75	$250
80	Guided Whitefish Trip for 4 - Sturgeon Bay - Trophy Ice Fish
85	Jiffy Propage Auger
90	Magic Products Fishing Package
95	Mills Fleet Farm Gift Certificate
100	$1000
105	Frabill Grey Suit XL
110	Stoeger Condor 12 Gauge O/U
115	Frabill Grey Suit L
120	Battle on Bago Prize Package
125	$250
130	Mills Fleet Farm Gift Certificate
135	4 Night/3 Day Canadian Fishing Trip - Duck Bay Lodge
140	Frabill Fishing Package
145	Frabill Ice Suit L
150	2013 Ford F150
155	Battle on Bago Prize Package
160	Knox County Illinois 5 Day Bow Hunting Package
165	Mills Fleet Farm Gift Certificate
170	Marcum LX5 Ice System
175	$250
180	Frabill Fishing Package
185	Frabill Outpost HUB - Thermal
190	Frabill Grey Suit L
195	Frabill Windproof Fleece Jacket
200	Knox County Illinois 5 Day Gun Hunting Package
205	Frabill Grey Suit XL
210	Battle on Bago Prize Package
215	Mills Fleet Farm Gift Certificate
220	Battle on Bago Prize Package
225	$250
230	Frabill Fishing Package
235	Guided Whitefish Trip for 4 - Sturgeon Bay - Trophy Ice Fish
240	Jiffy Propage Auger
245	Frabill Outpost HUB - Thermal
250	$500
255	Mills Fleet Farm Gift Certificate
260	Frabill Fishing Package
265	Grizzly 60 Cooler
270	Battle on Bago Prize Package
275	$250
280	Frabill Ice Suit XL
285	Lowrance Elite 4
290	Frabill Ice Shack - Trekker DLX
295	Frabill Fishing Package
300	$1000
305	Grizzly 60 Cooler
310	Sunglasses by H30
315	Guided Whitefish Trip for 4 - Sturgeon Bay - Trophy Ice Fish
320	Frabill Grey Suit XL
325	$250
330	Frabill Ice Suit XL
335	Mills Fleet Farm Gift Certificate
340	Frabill Outpost HUB - Thermal
345	Marlin XT – 17VRO 17HMR
350	$500
355	Coleman 9.9 Kicker Motor Provided by Mills Fleet Farm
360	Jiffy Propage Auger
365	Frabill Ice Shack - Trekker DLX
370	Mills Fleet Farm Gift Certificate
375	$250
380	Marcum LX5 Ice System
385	Frabill Fishing Package
390	Sunglasses by H30
395	Frabill Grey Suit XL
400	Lund 1875 Impact with Mercury 150 Four Stroke motor
405	Frabill Ice Suit XL
410	Grizzly 60 Cooler
415	Hooyman Extendible  Tree Saw
420	Lowrance Elite 5
425	$250
430	Frabill Ice Shack - Trekker DLX
435	1/2 Day Fishing Trip for 2 - Kurt's Hooked Up Guide Service
440	Hooyman Extendible  Tree Saw
445	Frabill Fishing Package
450	$500
455	Marcum LX5 Ice System
460	Grizzly 70 Cooler
465	Hooyman Extendible  Tree Saw
470	Battle on Bago Prize Package
475	$250
480	Frabill Ice Suit XL
485	Mills Fleet Farm Gift Certificate
490	Frabill Fishing Package
495	Coleman 9.9 Kicker Motor Provided by Mills Fleet Farm
500	$1000
505	Grizzly 60 Cooler
510	Mills Fleet Farm Gift Certificate
515	NFL Alumni Autographed Apparel
520	Battle on Bago Prize Package
525	$250
530	TRS Gift Certificate
535	Battle on Bago Prize Package
540	Grizzly 70 Cooler
545	TRS Gift Certificate
550	$500
555	Battle on Bago Prize Package
560	Canadian Fishing Trip for 2 - Obabikon Bay Fishing
565	NFL Alumni Autographed Apparel
570	TRS Gift Certificate
575	$250
580	NFL Alumni Autographed Apparel
585	Battle on Bago Prize Package
590	Grizzly 60 Cooler
595	Battle on Bago Prize Package
600	Lund 1650 Rebel XL with Mercury 90hp Motor
605	TRS Gift Certificate
610	Musky Fishing Trip for 2 - Clark's Resort Ontario
615	NFL Alumni Autographed Apparel
620	Grizzly 60 Cooler
625	$250
630	Battle on Bago Prize Package
635	1/2 Day Fishing Trip for 2  - Kurt's Hooked Up Guide Service
640	NFL Alumni Autographed Apparel
645	Grizzly 70 Cooler
650	$500
655	Battle on Bago Prize Package
660	TRS Gift Certificate
665	Grizzly 70 Cooler
670	Knox County Illinois 5 Day Gun Hunt
675	$250
680	Battle on Bago Prize Package
685	NFL Alumni Autographed Apparel
690	Grizzly 60 Cooler
695	Battle on Bago Prize Package
700	$1,000 Gift Card - Critters Wolf River Sports

Gun Raffle 2014

Benelli Nova 12/28
Savage Axis .270
Smith & Wesson SD40
Remington Wingmaster 20 Gauge
Stoeger 3500 12/28 3.5”
Benelli Supernova 12/16
Remington 11 – 87 12/26
Winchester SXP 12 Gauge
Beretta Neos 22 Cal
Ruger GP161 357
Glock 17 Gen 4 9MM
Ruger 10/22 22LR
Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22
Remington 597 22 LR Package
Marlin XT – 17VRO 17HMR
Remington Oracle 5.56/.223
"All winners will need to contact Scheels Sports in Appleton, WI 920.830.2977 to pick up gun. You will need to fill out paperwork required by the State of Wisconsin and shore proper ID. Hand guns will require the mandatory waiting period.

2014 Raffle Prizes

There are over $100,000 in cash prizes that tournament participants, and a wide variety of cash non-cash prizes will be raffled-off to anyone who purchases a raffle ticket.

Kubota RTV
Battle on Bago Edition Xtreme Golf Cart
$1,000
$750
$500
$250
Jiffy Ice Auger
Jiffy Ice Auger
Jiffy Ice Auger
Jiffy Ice Auger
Jiffy Ice Auger
Jiffy Ice Auger
Frabill Ice Shack
Frabill Ice Shack
Frabill Ice Shack
Frabill Ice Shack
Frabill Ice Shack
Grizzly Cooler  - BOB Edition
Grizzly Cooler  - BOB Edition
Grizzly Cooler  - BOB Edition
Grizzly Cooler  - BOB Edition
Grizzly Cooler  - BOB Edition
Set of Tires – Westside Tire
Festival Foods $250 Gift Certificate
Festival Foods $250 Gift Certificate
Scheels Gift Certificates
TRS Gift Certificates
NFL Autographed Apparel