Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail 2014 Schedule
Taxman
Posted 1/2/2014 8:01 PM (#681923)
Subject: Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail 2014 Schedule


Location: Lake Saint Louis, MO
The Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail has released it's 2014 Trail calendar. This year's Trail includes nine great events:

March 15    IMTT Jake Wolf Memorial Tournament on Spring Lake North, Manito, IL
March 29-30    IMTT Spring Classic Tournament on Kinkaid Lake, Murphysboro, IL
May 3-4   Shawnee Muskie Hunters Spring Fling Tournament on Kinkaid Lake, Murphysboro, IL
May 17    Fox River Valley Muskie Club Challunge Tournament on Fox Chain of Lakes, Antioch, IL
Sept. 13-14    IMTT Fall Classic Tournament on Lake Shelbyville, Shelbyville, IL
Sept. 27   Quad County Hawg Hunters Tournament on Evergreen Lake, Hudson, IL
Oct. 4   IMTT Gregg Tichacek Memorial Tournament on Lake McMaster, Victoria, IL
Oct. 18-19    Shawnee Muskie Hunters Fall Brawl Tournament on Kinkaid Lake, Murphysboro, IL
Oct 25-26   IMTT State Championship Tournament on Prairie Lake, Chandlerville, IL

To obtain a 2014 IMTT member registration form, a tournament entry form, or complete information regarding these upcoming Trail events, please visit our website - illmuskie.com
hoosierhunter
Posted 1/2/2014 10:05 PM (#681963 - in reply to #681923)
Subject: Re: Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail 2014 Schedule



Posts: 427
Last year was the first year that I fished these and I can't say enough how much fun these events are. These guys bust their butts all day to beat you and at the end of the day they are like a bunch of old friends that have not seen each other in a long time. They don't think twice about helping someone and go out of their way to make sure that everyone has a ball. I can't wait for things to get going and plan on trying to hit as many as possible this year.
muskellunged
Posted 1/3/2014 12:26 AM (#682034 - in reply to #681923)
Subject: Re: Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail 2014 Schedule



Location: Illinois
Yep. The IMTT are fun events with even funner folk. I hope to fish a few this year at least... My favorite has become the Kinkaid in March. It is a great way to kick off the season and a good shot at a 40"+ for that time of year. I like to stay in DeSoto.
Lucky JB
Posted 1/4/2014 7:40 AM (#682326 - in reply to #681923)
Subject: Re: Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail 2014 Schedule



Posts: 11
I have supported the IMTT since it first started. Great group of guys and they really care about the muskie fishery in IL. My favorite lakes are Kinkaid, Spring and Prairie. If you have not tried fishing their events, 2014 is the year to dive in and get started. I've caught 48"ers on Kinkaid and Prairie. If you get a chance to go look me up. I fish Kinkaid the most often. It's only 90 miles from home.
Andrew Veach
Posted 1/4/2014 4:01 PM (#682402 - in reply to #681923)
Subject: RE: Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail 2014 Schedule


Posts: 94
I agree the imtt is a blast. Great people who run this trail. However I really don't understand some of the events that are scheduled. The tournament in march on Kinkaid is going to be rough. The end of march is right during spawn. Was much better timing in early march. Just my opinion.
hoosierhunter
Posted 1/5/2014 7:59 PM (#682776 - in reply to #681923)
Subject: Re: Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail 2014 Schedule



Posts: 427
With the limited number of events they have in a given year I like seeing them fish as many different lakes as possible. For me a lot of the fun comes from trying to figure out a new lake.
Medinah13
Posted 1/17/2014 11:29 AM (#685217 - in reply to #681923)
Subject: Re: Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail 2014 Schedule


Posts: 373
Awesome events higher payouts would get more fisherman to participate
hoosierhunter
Posted 1/17/2014 1:32 PM (#685244 - in reply to #685217)
Subject: Re: Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail 2014 Schedule



Posts: 427
Catch the right fish and you could have a BIG payout on a 50 or 100 dollar entry fee.
IMTTVP
Posted 1/31/2014 7:40 AM (#688467 - in reply to #681923)
Subject: Re: Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail 2014 Schedule


Posts: 1
Spring Lake North is a great early season lake. There are still spots available to sign up for this tournament.

Edited by IMTTVP 1/31/2014 8:02 AM
Taxman
Posted 2/19/2014 11:00 PM (#692704 - in reply to #681923)
Subject: Re: Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail 2014 Schedule


Location: Lake Saint Louis, MO
IMTT Spring Lake North Tournament - Drive to 1,000!
Last November several tornados tore through Tazewell County and other surrounding counties in Illinois. These EF4 tornadoes took two lives and caused significant damage throughout the county and in the towns of Pekin and Washington. Because of the special need and circumstances in Tazewell County, the IMTT is "challenging" our March 15 tournament participants to bring 1,000 food items for the Midwest Food Bank. We're expecting 25 teams - 50 guys - so that means we have to average 20 food items per participant to achieve our 1,000 item goal. This would be the highest per-entrant average food donation that IMTT has ever achieved - a real "stretch" goal. Every entrant that donates 20 or more food items will receive a raffle ticket for handcrafted fishing rod made by custom rod builder Paul Center specifically for this event.

We will accept food donations both at the Friday evening registration (6:00 to 8:00 PM at McCritters Restaurant), and lakeside at the conclusion of the tournament Saturday afternoon. The winning ticket will be drawn immediately after the tournament awards ceremony. We have set a very ambitious goal, and we’re hoping IMTT members will rise to the occasion.
Let’s have a great day on Spring Lake North and help the families in Tazewell County!
scot
Posted 2/27/2014 9:06 AM (#694562 - in reply to #682776)
Subject: Re: Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail 2014 Schedule



Posts: 151
Location: IL
hoosierhunter - 1/5/2014 7:59 PM

With the limited number of events they have in a given year I like seeing them fish as many different lakes as possible. For me a lot of the fun comes from trying to figure out a new lake.


There are 3 seperate tournaments at kincaid of course. All are 2 day events also.
hoosierhunter
Posted 2/27/2014 11:40 AM (#694615 - in reply to #694562)
Subject: Re: Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail 2014 Schedule



Posts: 427
And only one of those is being put on by the imtt. The other two are put on by the Shawnee club. I would think that if an Illinois club wanted to put on their own tourney and they were part of the imtt it would be supported as well.
CASTING55
Posted 2/27/2014 12:52 PM (#694629 - in reply to #694615)
Subject: Re: Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail 2014 Schedule


Posts: 968
Location: N.FIB
Will spring lake be ice free by march 15th
Taxman
Posted 3/8/2014 10:25 AM (#697343 - in reply to #681923)
Subject: Re: Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail 2014 Schedule


Location: Lake Saint Louis, MO
JAKE WOLF MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT ON SPRING LAKE NORTH POSTPONED DUE TO ICE!

Guys, old man winter is going to make us postpone this tournament... One week out from the tournament there is still 8" of ice on Spring Lake North. Freezing temps are forecast for every night, so we do not expect the ramp to be open by next Saturday. So to allow our members time to adjust their plans, we are postponing this tournament. Fortunately, the lake is available for a tournament on April 19, so this tournament has been rescheduled for Saturday, April 19. Tournament Director Bob Taylor is calling or emailing all registrants to notify them the tournament has been rescheduled. We had a totally full field registered for this tournament, so we're hoping all of the teams will be able to accommodate the reschedule date. Of course we will refund entry fees to any team that can not make the reschedule date.

This has been one darn cold winter. Hopefully mother nature will reward us with a great 2014 muskie season. With this postponement, the first Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail event in 2014 will be the IMTT Spring Classic Tournament March 29 and 30 on Kinkaid Lake. Full details and registration forms are available on the IMTT website - illmuskie.com. We hope to see you there!

Randy
Taxman
Posted 3/24/2014 11:24 PM (#701866 - in reply to #681923)
Subject: Re: Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail 2014 Schedule


Location: Lake Saint Louis, MO
The IMTT Spring Classic Tournament is this weekend, March 29 and 30 on Kinkaid Lake. We're expecting a great turnout, with over 25 teams registered already. If you plan on participating, but do not plan on registering until Friday evening, please contact Tournament Director Walt Krause and let him know so we have the count right for the Banquet Saturday evening. Full details are available on the IMTT website - illmuskie.com.
gmanny1
Posted 3/31/2014 1:28 PM (#703475 - in reply to #681923)
Subject: RE: Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail 2014 Schedule


Posts: 246
Does anyone know the results from Kinkaid last weekend?
Thanks,
Gmanny
jbf
Posted 3/31/2014 4:29 PM (#703513 - in reply to #703475)
Subject: RE: Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail 2014 Schedule


Posts: 6
1st place was Landmier and Fox with 3 fish. Dont know about the other places
hoosierhunter
Posted 4/1/2014 2:57 PM (#703691 - in reply to #681923)
Subject: Re: Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail 2014 Schedule



Posts: 427
31 teams faught a tough post frontal bite. Landmier and Fox won with three fish and also got big fish. Hilger and Hilger took second. Don't remember third and fourth but third had two fish also. 6 fish were caught on Saturday and 5 on Sunday. We got our butts kicked only seeing one fish each day and neither was of them were all that interested.
Taxman
Posted 4/1/2014 10:37 PM (#703786 - in reply to #681923)
Subject: Re: Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail 2014 Schedule


Location: Lake Saint Louis, MO
Final Results from 2014 IMTT Spring Classic Tournament on Kinkaid Lake, March 29 and 30:
30 Teams, 11 Fish Caught
FIRST PLACE: Victor Fox (41.75 & 36.5) and Duane Landmeier (40.75)
SECOND PLACE: Randy Hilger (37.5 & 37.5) and Kyle Hilger
THIRD PLACE: Pat Donovan (30.75 & 33.0) and Scott Donovan
FOURTH PLACE: Ron Rodak (41.25) and Dale Craine
AWESOME EVENT - GREAT TURNOUT and a GREAT BUNCH OF GUYS AND GALS!
Next up on the 2014 IMTT Trail - Jake Wolf Memorial Tournament on Spring Lake North, rescheduled for Saturday April 19. Come fish with us! illmuskie.com
Taxman
Posted 4/23/2014 11:51 PM (#708494 - in reply to #681923)
Subject: Re: Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail 2014 Schedule


Location: Lake Saint Louis, MO
The 2014 IMTT Jake Wolf Memorial Tournament is now in the books. On Saturday, April 19th with temperatures climbing into the 70’s, mostly sunny skies and a slight south wind, 29 two-person teams from three states gathered to chase Muskies on Spring Lake North near Manito, IL. With water temperatures ranging from 55 to 65 degrees for the rescheduled tournament, most of the fish caught showed signs of being in a post-spawn condition and were quite hungry after their springtime "activities".

There were a total of 29 legal (30 inches or longer) Muskies registered during the one-day event, and many teams reported having caught several fish in the sub-30 inch range. The team of Coltin Thomas and Tony Casto boated five fish totaling 175.75 inches to earn First Place honors and the $725 first place pay out. Second place went to the team of Jim Frohlich and Nicholas Weesies with four fish totaling 131.5 inches. The father/son team of Bob and Shawn Taylor earned third place with three fish totaling 110.5 inches. In fourth place was the team of Ron Haynes and Wally Prociuk with three fish totaling 100.5 inches. The largest fish of the tournament measured 40.75 inches and earned the team of Tim Gusastaferro Sr. and Tim Guastaferro Jr. a $460.00 Big Fish Pot for their efforts.

Great tournament - great group of guys - and a great time. Next up on the IMTT Trail - Shawnee Muskie Hunter's "Spring Fling" Tournament on Kinkaid Lake, May 3 and 4. Come fish with us!

Taxman
Posted 5/13/2014 6:19 PM (#711399 - in reply to #681923)
Subject: Re: Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail 2014 Schedule


Location: Lake Saint Louis, MO
Thirty teams met on beautiful Kinkaid Lake at Murphysboro, IL on May 3 and 4 to compete in the third tournament of the IMTT’s 2014 Trail – the Shawnee Muskie Hunters’ 17th annual “Spring Fling” Muskie Tournament. SMH Tournament Director Jim Beaty and his team did an outstanding job of organizing the two-day tournament, from the smooth registration and great bratwurst BBQ Friday evening, all the way through the awards presentation Sunday afternoon.

At the Saturday morning takeoff the sky was overcast with mild temperatures and a slight breeze. Water temperatures were in the 65 to 68 degree range both days. Heavy rains earlier in the week muddied up the Johnson Creek area, but did not affect water clarity in the main lake or Paul Ice area. Saturday morning there was a pronounced bite window about an hour before moonrise, but the rest of the action both Saturday and Sunday was sporadic throughout the day. Only five legal fish were boated Saturday, with the largest (47.5”) caught by Kevin Williams. The Ryder-Krause team (Ken Ryder and Walt Krause) doubled up during the morning bite window – the only team to double up either day. Most fish appeared to be relating to heavy week cover, either in the backs of bays or on main lake weed flats.
Saturday evening the Shawnee club hosted an excellent banquet at the Elks Club in Murphysboro. The club held a food drive for the Murphysboro Food Pantry, collecting a huge amount of canned and packaged foods to restock the pantry’s shelves, and a fundraiser raffle to support the club’s programs.

Sunday was bright and hot with no breeze most of the day – not an ideal combination for muskie fishing! Four legal fish were boated on Sunday – the largest, a 42.25”, was caught by Garry Handlin. Despite the low number of fish boated during the tournament, participants reported seeing a significant number of fish both days. The problem was getting them to eat! The nine legal fish boated came on a variety of baits – crankbaits, Stalkers, Bulldawgs, and spinnerbaits. One unusual situation observed by many participants was the large number of shad following lures as they were retrieved to the boat both days. Cast after cast there were five, six or even more shad following right behind the lure. Guys commented the shad swimming right along our baits made it look like we were fishing “Alabama Rigs”, even though we were only retrieving a single lure. Maybe the problem we had getting the muskies to strike our baits is that the muskies were getting a “free meal” chowing down on the huge number of shad attracted to our baits.

Results:

1st Place: Ken Ryder (39.0”) and Walter Krause (43.5”)
2nd Place: Husband -Wife Team Kevin (47.5”) and Jean Williams
3rd Place: Father -Son Team Garry W. Handlin and Garry Handlin (42.25”)
4th Place: Brian Lewis (40.0”) and Brandon Casey
ewf
Posted 5/13/2014 6:34 PM (#711402 - in reply to #681923)
Subject: Re: Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail 2014 Schedule


Posts: 31
Location: Southern Illinois
This is my second year fishing this trail. I can't say enough good thing about it. Great folks, tournaments are well organized and just LOADS O FUN. Looking forward to many more tournaments with these guys.
Taxman
Posted 8/30/2014 9:14 PM (#727842 - in reply to #681923)
Subject: Re: Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail 2014 Schedule


Location: Lake Saint Louis, MO
Guys:
The waters starting to cool back down, and it's time for the second half of the 2014 Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail...
There are five great events this fall:
Sept. 13-14 IMTT Fall Classic Tournament on Lake Shelbyville, Shelbyville, IL
Sept. 27 Quad County Hawg Hunters Tournament on Evergreen Lake, Hudson, IL
Oct. 4 IMTT Gregg Tichacek Memorial Tournament on Lake McMaster, Victoria, IL
Oct. 18-19 Shawnee Muskie Hunters Fall Brawl Tournament on Kinkaid Lake, Murphysboro, IL
Oct 25-26 IMTT State Championship Tournament on Prairie Lake, Chandlerville, IL

We had outstanding turnouts at the spring tournaments, and are really looking forward to seeing everyone back on the Trail at Shelbyville September 13 and 14. Sharpen those hooks!
Taxman
Posted 11/8/2014 10:29 PM (#739100 - in reply to #681923)
Subject: Re: Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail 2014 Schedule


Location: Lake Saint Louis, MO
The Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail (IMTT) concluded its 2014 season with their state championship tournament October 25 and 26 on Prairie Lake, about 25 miles northwest of Springfield, Illinois. The winning team, Ed Fitzgerald of Carrier Mills, Illinois and Brian Paasch of O’Fallon, Missouri, boated six muskies in the two day tournament, topping the twenty team field and earning the title, “2014 IMTT State Champions”. Fitzgerald and Paasch’s six fish measured 34”, 35.5”, 36.5”, 37.5”, 42.5” and 44.5”, resulting in a 230.5” total – an awesome tournament catch.
“Prairie Lake, located within the Jim Edgar State Wildlife area, is a relatively small lake to host a state championship tournament”, said Howard Chambliss, IMTT President, “but Fitzgerald and Paasch’s six fish tournament result demonstrates what an outstanding muskie fishery the IDNR has developed at Prairie.” Prairie Lake is only 210 acres, but fishes like a much larger lake. There is a lot of standing timber and excellent weedbeds, providing great muskie habitat. At the tournament banquet, IDNR Assistant Chief of Fisheries Dan Stephenson explained that several years ago the Department introduced shad as an additional forage base, to supplement Prairie Lake muskies’ diet. “The results are outstanding”, said Brian Paasch, “the fish we caught were healthy and fat.”
A total of 27 muskies measuring greater than the 30” tournament minimum were caught, with a tie for big fish – both Victor Fox and Brian Paasch each boated muskies 44.5” long. Excellent Prairie Lake results were not limited to Team Fitzgerald and Paasch. The father/son team and Randy and Kyle Hilger finished second with four fish, and both the third place team (Ron Haynes and Ladd Wildeson) and fourth place team (Ken Ryder and Walt Krause) finished with three fish. The teams caught fish on a variety of baits – bucktails and spinnerbaits, soft plastic Shadzillas and Bulldawgs, and crankbaits that were both cast and trolled. All 27 muskies caught were immediately released; IMTT tournaments are strictly catch and release to ensure the future of the Illinois muskie fishery.
In addition to crowning a 2014 state champion, the IMTT finishes each season awarding “Angler of the Year”, and “Angler of the Year Runner Up”, to the two members with the highest cumulative catch scores throughout the annual nine-event Trail. The 2014 Angler of the Year went to Garry Handlin of Rosedale, Indiana, and Angler of the Year Runner Up went to Randy Hilger of Lake Saint Louis, Missouri.
The Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the Illinois muskie fishery, is the oldest and largest state-wide muskie trail in the U.S. Additional information regarding the IMTT organization and the upcoming 2015 Tournament Trail is available on the IMTT’s website – www.illmuskie.com.