Highlights

Pay out based on 125 paid teams.

Take-off times will be determined in the order we receive your paid entry form, no entries accepted before Monday, April 5th. Entries received on the same day will be randomly ordered from among that day’s entries.

Rules and Regulations

1. Participants shall observe high ethical standards and personal conduct. Alcohol and/or illegal drugs are strictly prohibited any time during the tournament or weigh-in. Violation of this rule is grounds for disqualification.
2. Tournament waters are defined as all public water, which are accessible by boat from the tournament start site. The tournament director will announce any exception, before the tournament starts.
3. No competitor shall fish within 50 yards of another competitor, who is anchored and has their trolling motor in an upright position. Fishing within a 50 yard radius of the launch site is prohibited.
4. Trailering a boat during tournament hours is prohibited.
5. Coast Guard approved life vests and kill switches must be worn anytime the main combustion engine is in gear.
6. All boat motors will be checked against maximum rating of the boat. Any boat not in tolerance will not be allowed to participate.
7. An aerated live well for each boat is mandatory. All boats will have a live well and compartment check before the start of tournament by officials. All competitors will support catch and release.
8. At the end of competition it is the responsibility of each participant to check in with the tournament officials. Fishing after the check in is not allowed. A 1.00 lb. penalty for each minute late at weigh-in up to 15 minutes will be levied. Over 15 minutes late will result in disqualification.
9. Tackle used shall be limited to artificial baits only with the exception of pork baits and rinds.
10. Only one line/fisherman is permitted to be in use at any given time.
11. Landing nets are legal.
12. A minimum fish length of 12" will be maintained. Courtesy checks will be offered if requested. Any fish entered under 12" that has not had a courtesy check will be eliminated and a 1.00 lb. penalty will be assessed.
13. A maximum of six fish per boat will be allowed.
14. 0.25 lb. will be deducted from the total weight for each dead fish.
15. Dead fish will not be eligible for the lunker prize.
16. Tiebreakers will be determined first by the greatest number of fish entered and second by the weight of the largest single fish entered. If still a tie, the prizes shall be split.
17. All participants must follow all State and Federal Laws during the tournament hours. Any violation of either will be grounds for disqualification.
18. Any protest must be made verbally to the tournament committee by 3:15 p.m. day of tournament.
19. All protests must be accompanied by a $25.00 deposit. If the protest is valid the $25.00 will be refunded.
20. Boaters must have a minimum of $100,000 liability insurance on their boats.
21. The tournament committee reserves the right to refuse any applications.
22. No refunds, unless the application is refused.
23. The decision of the tournament committee for all rulings will be final.
24. The "blowing" of any bridge anywhere on tournament waters is grounds for disqualification.
25. Any violation results in an automatic disqualification.

Overview

On Sunday September 6th Lake Champlain International, Inc. hosted the 10th Annual LCI Lake Champlain Bass Open. The Bass Open has traditionally brought together the best bass anglers from across the region and this year’s field of anglers did not disappoint. Sixty-eight boats weighed in over 740 pounds of bass and were awarded a total of more than $8,000 in cash prizes, including $3,000 for first place.

Gary Sinclair and Brian Boucher brought home the first place prize of $3,000 with a whopping total weight of 27.92 pounds. That duo was followed by the father/son combination of Steve and Joe Lucarelli who were the runners-up with an impressive bag of 25.19 pounds. Third place belonged to 2008 LCI Bass Open winner J.J. Judd and his partner Chris St. Marie, who ended the day with a total weight of 24.71 pounds.

There was also no shortage of trophy bass weighed in during the sun-drenched afternoon. Seven largemouth bass over 5 pounds were weighed-in, three of those over 6 pounds, and the Largemouth Lunker of the day was 6.57 pounds. Dana Deforge landed the lunker and was awarded $350 for his effort. On the smallmouth side, eight smallies were reported weighing in over 4 pounds and the Smallmouth Lunker belonged to Jason Dattilio, with a 4.96 pounder. Dattilio also received a check for $350 for his great catch.

Thank you to all anglers, sponsors, and attendees viewing the weigh-in. It was a beautiful day for fishing and a tremendous showcase for the Lake Champlain bass fishery.

This successful event would not be possible without the efforts of our volunteers. A huge thank you to Frank Stanley, Jason Galipeau, Jake Perkinson, Dave Adams, Forrest and Cathy Degreenia, Coe Lesko, Justin and Will Hillman, Jerry Gernander, Cathy MacFarlane, Arnie Sharp, Brian Newman, Tucker Austin, Colby Simino, and Sandra Baker.

Mark your calendars now for the 11th Annual LCI Lake Champlain Bass Open on September 5, 2010.

Contact us at 802.879.3466 or info@mychamplain.net for more information.