Minnesota Fishing Challenge will have award for the biggest bowfin.

The 2010 Minnesota Fishing Challenge is taking shape. Set for Gull Lake north of Brainerd on Saturday, June 5, the multi-species tournament headed by Al Lindner, is open for all ages and all skill levels. It is also a fund-raiser for one of Al's favorite causes -- Minnesota Teen Challenge -- one of the very best alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs in the state.

Two-person teams enter all divisions with their $100 entry fee, and may register fish in the pike, walleye, bass, panfish or mixed-bag categories. Prizes of MinnKota trolling motors, Frabill ice fishing shelters, guide trips by the best, rods and reels used by the top pro anglers, fishing tackle leaders and TV hosts in the country, and much more are up for grabs. There are also awards for carp, dogfish, eelpout, sucker and bullhead.

The key behind this tournament is FUN, while raising funds for Teen Challenge. After the $100 entry fee, teams will have until the tournament to raise 100-percent tax deductible donations to Teen Challenge in the amount of $500 (for the team). This was a relatively simple chore last year as each team averaged about $1,000.

There is still time to enter. To do so, register online at mntc.org/fishingchallenge or complete an entry. Call Jim Kalkofen at 651-356-5676 or Melissa Varriano at 612-238-6184. With the early spring followed by a lengthy cold snap, many anglers have waited to make a commitment. With the nice warm-up this weekend, think about the Fishing Challenge, and enter this week.