Classic Update! Day 1 Cancelled*

Update* for our Classic Championship on Lake Tschida.

Due to the wind forecast of 50 mph gusts for Saturday day 1 is cancelled. We will fish day 2 on Sunday.

If the weather forecast for Sunday gets worse than what it is calling for now we will try to move the event to the following weekend. That decision will be made Saturday morning. So stay tuned to Facebook and our website.

Harmon Lake

Top Anglers at the first Harmon Lake Tournament!

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Isabel Lake

Isabel SD Tournament Results'

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Hoffer Lake

Paul Reinbold And Cody Arth Take Hoffer Lake!

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Top Winners at Nelson Lake

Team Bullinger

The Nelson Lake Tournament recently took place, showcasing some intense competition and thrilling moments that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. Participants from all over the region gathered to put their angling skills to the test, vying for the coveted title of champion.

The tournament saw some impressive catches, with anglers showcasing their expertise in reeling in the biggest and most elusive fish in Nelson Lake. The skill and precision displayed by the competitors were truly admirable, as they navigated the waters with finesse and determination.

As the competition heated up, so did the emotions running high among the participants. The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat were palpable, adding an extra layer of intensity to the already fierce contest. It was a true test of skill, patience, and resilience for all involved.

After a grueling battle against both the elements and fellow competitors, the champions of the Nelson Lake Tournament emerged victorious. Team Bullinger topped the leader board with an impressive 21.49lbs. Their dedication, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to their craft were truly commendable, earning them the well-deserved title of champions.

Looking Ahead to Future Tournaments
As the dust settles on the Nelson Lake Tournament, anticipation is already building for the first tournament at Hoffer Lake.. Anglers are eager to test their skills once again, hoping to replicate the success of the champions and etch their names in the annals of fishing history.

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Exciting Matchup at New Johns Lake

The recent Johns Lake tournament was a thrilling showdown between seasoned anglers. With each competitor vying for the coveted title, the tension was palpable as the day began. Anglers from all over gathered at the scenic East Park Lake boat ramp, eager to showcase their skills and claim victory.

The Showdown Begins
As the sun rose over the tranquil waters of the lake, the tournament kicked off with a flurry of activity. Anglers wasted no time in casting their lines into the depths, hoping to hook the biggest catch of the day. The sounds of reels spinning and lines whizzing through the air filled the atmosphere, adding to the sense of anticipation.

A Battle of Skills and Strategy
The competition was fierce, with each angler employing their own unique tactics to outsmart their rivals. Some opted for finesse, carefully maneuvering their bait to entice the most elusive fish, while others went for power, casting their lines far and wide in search of the biggest prize. It was a true test of skill and strategy, with every decision carrying the weight of potential victory or defeat.

The Moment of Truth
As the tournament drew to a close, the tension reached its peak. Anglers reeled in their final catches, hoping against hope that their efforts would be enough to secure the win. In the end, only one angler could emerge victorious, their name forever etched in New Johns Lake tournament history.

Celebrating Success
After a day of fierce competition and nail-biting suspense, the winner was Team Ron & Cody Arth. With a final weight of 21.36 lbs. Cheers erupted from the crowd as the triumphant angler stepped forward to claim their prize. It was a moment of joy and celebration, with competitors setting aside their rivalries to applaud the champion.

Lake Audbon

Despite the tough weather conditions the first Badlands Bass Bandits tournament of the 2024 season has been completed from Lake Audobon. There were 17 teams that braved the cold and windy weather in hopes of finding the winning bag of fish! The smallmouth were sparse in a lot of areas of the lake with the majority of the population still moving up from their winter holes. As anglers moved around the lake so did the smallmouth. Most anglers found bass moving up shallow anywhere from 8 feet or less, some as less than 2 feet of water. A few teams were able to locate bigger schools of fish a bit deeper making it a fun day of catching both size and numbers. As expected, the bass were caught on jerkbaits, square bills, tubes and drop shot which lead to a record breaking day! Taking home first place prize was team Jason Mitchell, Jason Votava and Scott Winkels with a whopping 20.26 lbs, a new Lake Audobon club record! Also having a great day was team Josh Birchet and Chuck Gaston bringing in a heavy bag of smallmouth that weighed 19.73 lbs which also topped the old club record, they also won the big bass award with a 5.00 lb smallmouth. No strangers to the winner circle team Logan and Brandon Bullinger and Bryce took home the 3rd place prize by bagging a 5 fish limit of 19.34 lbs.

Overall the fishing was good and most anglers had a good day. Looking forward to our New Johns tournament, please note that we will be launching from East Park lake on May 18th!

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Classic Championship Weekend

Final results of 2023 Classic Championship! Congratulations to Team Ron and Cody Arth! Congratulations to our JR Division champion Mariah Maslanka!! Big fish honors went to Team Olson with a 4.70lb smallmouth!

Spiritwood Showdown

The 8th stop of the 2023 Badlands Bass Bandits schedule is in the books. 12 teams met on Spiritwood lake which is one of North Dakota’s premier smallmouth fisheries. It was a cool foggy morning that was later met with sunny skies and light winds for the remainder of the day. Most teams were able to cash in on the smallmouth that this little 500 acre lake had to offer. Some bass were caught deep early in the day while the most dominating pattern seemed to be a shallow bite by targeting areas that had an abundance of perch for the smallmouth to feed on. While the majority of the field were able to enjoy a relaxing day on the water there were two anglers that were biting their nails as the day progressed. Defending angler of the year Michael Messal and avid angler Cody Arth have been running off with the angler of the year points race. The gap has been narrowed in the points and will be setting up for an exciting finish at our Classic Championship which will be held on Lake Tschida!

Club Camping Weekend Update

As previously mentioned our club camping weekend will take place on September 16th &17th which is the same weekend as our 2 day Classic Championship.

Listed below is the itinerary for that weekend as well as campsite information.

Camping Information:

Our club is camping at the Rim Rock Area Loop A, please take a look at the map photo below, we currently have the sites circled in blue. If you have already received a notification from me that you have a site reserved you are all set, for those who have not and need a site please let me know so I can reserve a campsite in Loop A to keep you near the rest of the club members.

The campsites are reserved for a two night stay with an arrival of Friday the 15th and checking out Sunday the 17th. (Check in times are 2 p.m. MDT and Check out times are 1 p.m. MDT)

I’ll see if we can have our checkout extended for Sunday.

Campsites are reserved and paid for by the club, you must pay the camping fee to the club not the camping office.

Cost per site: $48 total owed to the club.

If you would like to arrive at an earlier date please let me know so I can make those arrangements for you.

Date: September 16th and Sunday 17th

Ramp Location: North Shore Boat Ramp

Team Entry Fee: $160.00

Registration: 5:45 a.m. CT

Rules: 6:00 a.m. CT

Start: 6:30 CT (daily)

End: 2:30 CT (daily)

Camping Festivities: (will take place at Loop A)

Saturday starting at 5:00 CT

Presidents Supper

Fishing Seminar

Ladder Ball Tournament to follow Presidents Supper and Fishing Seminar.

Lake Sakakawea

We had 14 teams for this event and probably the nicest weather for this lake in club history. Next stop Lake Isabel, SD! See you there!

Lake Sakakawea Tournament Update

Date: July 22nd

Location: Dakota Waters Resort

Registration time: 5:45 am Central time

Rules: 6:00 am Central time

Tournament starts: 6:30 am Central time

Tournament ends: 2:30 Central time

Entry fee: $80/ team (no more than 3 on a team).

Graciously Dakota waters resort approved for us to use their ramp. Please return the favor and give them your business during our visit. They have a full line a snacks and drinks, gas, campground and cafe.

*Although the tournament is still on, the club camping weekend festivities will be postponed to a later date.

Click on the link for location and directions

Lake Oahe Results

July 8th Lake Oahe, SD from Indian Creek State Park

1st - Mike Reid & Richard Mollison - 11.77
2nd - Team Bullinger - 11.61
3rd - John, Gayla & Cordell Wadsworth - 10.44
4th - Team Reinbold, Paul - 10.13
5th - Bob & Matt - 7.25
6th - Team Massal - 6.45
7th - Joe, Lorie & Alex Reinbold - 6.06
8th - Team Arth - 3.72
9th - Team Eldridgy - 2.85

Lake Oahe

July 8th Lake Oahe, SD from Indian Creek State Park

Registration: 5:45

Rules/Boat draw: 6:10

Tournament starts: 6:30

Weigh in: 2:30

All times are Central time Zone

*NOTE: We will be using the low water ramp on the East side. *

Lake Audubon

Lake Audubon Recap

New John’s

New Johns Recap

*Froelich Dam Tournament Moved To East Park Lake (New Johns)*

Due to bad gravel/dirt road conditions from the highway to Froelich Dam, our tournament event has been moved to East Park lake (aka New Johns) We had a club member check the road to Froelich this morning and got stuck. With more rain expected it is best to move our event location . We will be launching from East Park lake. See you there.

Froelich Dam Tournament Moved To East Park Lake (New Johns)

Nelson Lake Recap

For only the second time in the clubs 17 year history a tournament was postponed. The Nelson lake event scheduled for April 22nd on the 500 acre lake impoundment had to be move to the 23rd due to icy road conditions in Center and the surrounding area. While most of the state did not have these conditions, the roads nearest to Lake Nelson were ice covered and for the safety of the members and their equipment it was best to wait a day.

When Sunday morning rolled around the outside temp was only 22 degrees, with the hopes of a balmy 45 degrees forecasted the field of 15 teams set out to start their 2023 season. The fishing was tough due to rising cold muddy water coming from the Square Butte creek but the Bandits were ready for the challenge as most teams were able to put together a limit of 5 bass. Full Recap

2023 Ice Bowl

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March 25th 2023 was certainly one of the coldest ice bowls in club history. Morning temps of 12 above with a breeze straight out of the North made very cold conditions. Nonetheless 14 hardcore bass fisherman showed up to have a little fun for our annual Ice Bowl derby on Lake Nelson. The field included 5 teams who competed from a boat and 2 teams fishing from the bank. Thankfully Lake Nelson provided good fishing for both groups!

Taking home top honors were Colton Blomberg and John Lancaster whose best 5 bass totaled 88 inches, they also took biggest bass honors with a 20.25 inch beauty! Taking home second place and doing it all by fishing from the confinements of the shores of Lake Nelson was team James and Brayden Francis of Minot with a total length of 76.75 inches with a 17.5 inch bass anchoring their best 5. Coming in with a very close 3rd place finish that boasted a 75.5 inch limit of 5 was Matt Schnieder and Matt Rose.

During the “spill the beans” portion of our event the top 3 winners shared what they caught their fish on. Bass were caught early on crankbaits and then as the tournament went on the bass seemed to prefer something small like a ned rig with a very precise finesse presentation. Listed below are full event standings, see you all at our official season kick off event on April 22nd at Lake Nelson!

1st Colton Blomberg / John Lancaster 88”

2nd Jame and Brayden Francis 76.75”

3rd Matt Schnieder / Matt Rose 75.5”

4th Michael and Angela Messal 75”

5th Attie Heystek / Duncan Swart 74.5”

6th Bob Reinbold / Quinn Reinbold 70.5”

7th Peter and Geremy Olsen 15”