2023 Birchmont Winter Bash Derby Rules
Adult tickets (anyone 18yrs of age or older)
$20 includes entry into derby and an entry into the general raffle.
Youth tickets (anyone 17yrs of age or younger)
$10 grants access for youth to fish the derby.
Event will be held on Lake Bemidji in front of Ruttger’s on February 25, 2023 All anglers
must have a valid MN Fishing license and abide by all local, state or federal regulations.
Gates will open at 10:00AM and the Derby will start at 12:00 sharp following the playing our National Anthem. No lines will be allowed in the water until the horn sounds. The derby will conclude at 3:00 sharp. All anglers with fish MUST be within the marked out staging line in front of the weigh station or verified caught by 3:00 by a tournament official. Prizes will be awarded in order of total weight of each fish caught 1-35. In the event of a tied weight, the earlier caught fish will
trump the second. In the event that there are not 35 fish registered, the remaining prizes will be randomly drawn at the awards ceremony for those participants that attended and fished the event ONLY.
Anglers may purchase more than 1 entry/raffle ticket, but each angler is only allowed to fish 1 line during the tournament. Participants must enter the contest area through the marked designated inspection point. All bags, buckets, bait, containers, etc. must be inspected prior to entering the contest area. Contest officials have the right to inspect any and all items brought through the inspection point, including outerwear.
No Shelters allowed No augers allowed, all holes will be drilled prior to tournament. Electronics are allowed Live bait is allowed Anglers must fish within derby boundaries, which will be marked out. Participants are not allowed to bring
alcohol into the event. There will be beverages available for purchase at the event. Participants shall be aware all anglers are participating in a physical activity in the sport of fishing on ice, which may be dangerous and can cause
injury, especially if the participant is consuming alcoholic beverages. Participants understand and acknowledge the consumption of alcohol impairs a person’s ability to walk on all surfaces, including those that are especially slippery, like ice. Consuming alcohol and walking on ice, subjects the participant to certain risks including, but not limited to, death, serious neck and spinal injuries resulting in complete or partial paralysis, brain damage, and/or serious injury to virtually all bones, joints, muscles and internal organs, and property damage not only to themselves but potentially others. Although particular rules, equipment, and personal discipline may reduce the risks associated with participating in the
event, the risk of serious injury does still exist and cannot be completely eliminated.
Anglers can reach the contest area either by way of Northwood’s Public Access or Ruttger’s resort, follow signage to parking areas. There will be parking on the lake (ice permitting) and it is recommended to carpool and minimize as many
vehicles on the lake and in the parking lots as we can. Accommodations will be made for handicap and disabled anglers.
Fishing licenses are not sold on lake. By purchasing a ticket, and participating in the event, all participants acknowledge and agree that they have reviewed, understand, and will abide by the rules. Participants willingly agree to comply
with the rules for participation in the event. Participants less than 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or adult with written parental permission. (Written parental permission must be provided to event staff prior to the start of
the event) Participants under the age of 18 years may not fish alone in the event.
Any participant attempting to manipulate the outcome of the event or defraud the Birchmont Winter Bash will be disqualified and may be subject to prosecution. Interpretation and enforcement of the rules shall be left to the sole and exclusive discretion of the Event Director and/or his/her designee at the event. In the event a participant violates any rule set forth by the discretion of the Event Director, the Event Director may impose a penalty and/or sanction on the participant (including but not limited to disqualification from the event and future events and/or forfeiture of event winnings and/or prizes). Contestants are responsible for their own safety, actions, and property at all times. Participants understand and are aware that the weather in Minnesota can be severe. Participants are aware that participating in the event may subject participants to extremely cold conditions, which can be dangerous and cause injury if the participant is not properly prepared. Similarly, the weather may be warmer and cause extraordinarily slippery conditions on the ice. Although rules, equipment, and personal discipline may reduce the risks associated with participating in the Event, the risk of serious injury does exist and cannot be completely eliminated. In the event of significant weather conditions during competition, the Event Director will advise regarding any change, delay, suspension and/or cancellation of one or more hours or day(s). Rules are subject to change prior to event.
Adult tickets (anyone 18yrs of age or older)
$20 includes entry into derby and an entry into the general raffle.
Youth tickets (anyone 17yrs of age or younger)
$10 grants access for youth to fish the derby.
Event will be held on Lake Bemidji in front of Ruttger’s on February 25, 2023 All anglers
must have a valid MN Fishing license and abide by all local, state or federal regulations.
Gates will open at 10:00AM and the Derby will start at 12:00 sharp following the playing our National Anthem. No lines will be allowed in the water until the horn sounds. The derby will conclude at 3:00 sharp. All anglers with fish MUST be within the marked out staging line in front of the weigh station or verified caught by 3:00 by a tournament official. Prizes will be awarded in order of total weight of each fish caught 1-35. In the event of a tied weight, the earlier caught fish will
trump the second. In the event that there are not 35 fish registered, the remaining prizes will be randomly drawn at the awards ceremony for those participants that attended and fished the event ONLY.
Anglers may purchase more than 1 entry/raffle ticket, but each angler is only allowed to fish 1 line during the tournament. Participants must enter the contest area through the marked designated inspection point. All bags, buckets, bait, containers, etc. must be inspected prior to entering the contest area. Contest officials have the right to inspect any and all items brought through the inspection point, including outerwear.
No Shelters allowed No augers allowed, all holes will be drilled prior to tournament. Electronics are allowed Live bait is allowed Anglers must fish within derby boundaries, which will be marked out. Participants are not allowed to bring
alcohol into the event. There will be beverages available for purchase at the event. Participants shall be aware all anglers are participating in a physical activity in the sport of fishing on ice, which may be dangerous and can cause
injury, especially if the participant is consuming alcoholic beverages. Participants understand and acknowledge the consumption of alcohol impairs a person’s ability to walk on all surfaces, including those that are especially slippery, like ice. Consuming alcohol and walking on ice, subjects the participant to certain risks including, but not limited to, death, serious neck and spinal injuries resulting in complete or partial paralysis, brain damage, and/or serious injury to virtually all bones, joints, muscles and internal organs, and property damage not only to themselves but potentially others. Although particular rules, equipment, and personal discipline may reduce the risks associated with participating in the
event, the risk of serious injury does still exist and cannot be completely eliminated.
Anglers can reach the contest area either by way of Northwood’s Public Access or Ruttger’s resort, follow signage to parking areas. There will be parking on the lake (ice permitting) and it is recommended to carpool and minimize as many
vehicles on the lake and in the parking lots as we can. Accommodations will be made for handicap and disabled anglers.
Fishing licenses are not sold on lake. By purchasing a ticket, and participating in the event, all participants acknowledge and agree that they have reviewed, understand, and will abide by the rules. Participants willingly agree to comply
with the rules for participation in the event. Participants less than 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or adult with written parental permission. (Written parental permission must be provided to event staff prior to the start of
the event) Participants under the age of 18 years may not fish alone in the event.
Any participant attempting to manipulate the outcome of the event or defraud the Birchmont Winter Bash will be disqualified and may be subject to prosecution. Interpretation and enforcement of the rules shall be left to the sole and exclusive discretion of the Event Director and/or his/her designee at the event. In the event a participant violates any rule set forth by the discretion of the Event Director, the Event Director may impose a penalty and/or sanction on the participant (including but not limited to disqualification from the event and future events and/or forfeiture of event winnings and/or prizes). Contestants are responsible for their own safety, actions, and property at all times. Participants understand and are aware that the weather in Minnesota can be severe. Participants are aware that participating in the event may subject participants to extremely cold conditions, which can be dangerous and cause injury if the participant is not properly prepared. Similarly, the weather may be warmer and cause extraordinarily slippery conditions on the ice. Although rules, equipment, and personal discipline may reduce the risks associated with participating in the Event, the risk of serious injury does exist and cannot be completely eliminated. In the event of significant weather conditions during competition, the Event Director will advise regarding any change, delay, suspension and/or cancellation of one or more hours or day(s). Rules are subject to change prior to event.