CO: Eleven Mile State Park Hosts 12th Annual Serious Fishermen Team Pike Tournament

LAKE GEORGE, Colo. - Aurora Marine and Great Lakes Marine are presenting the 12th Annual Serious Fishermen Team Pike Tournament, produced by the 11 Mile Marina and hosted by Eleven Mile State Park, on Saturday, Sept. 10. The contest begins one half hour before sunrise and ends at 3 p.m. Teams will consist of two anglers who may fish from boat or shore. Last year, contestants weighed in over 450 pounds of northern pike.

The entry fee is $125.00 per team in advance and $150.00 the day of the contest. Twenty percent of the field will win cash for the heaviest total weight for up to ten northern pike and $20.00 of each entry is dedicated to the Big Fish Pot, which is awarded for the heaviest fish of the day. All contestants are eligible to win a new boat, motor and trailer worth $25,000 sponsored by Great Lakes Marine and Aurora Marine.

For details and entry forms go to www.11milesports.com or pick up at Valley Country Tackle, Discount Tackle or Gander Mountain. Please call the Marina at (719) 748-0317 for any other questions.

The public is invited to attend the weigh-in ceremony and other festivities which begin at 2:30 p.m. Come see the filleting and cooking demonstrations and experience the delicious flavor of Eleven Mile Northern Pike. There will be live music featuring Jeremy Vasquez and the 11 Mile Band, a fish fry and crawfish boil. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Fishing Has No Boundaries, a national non-profit organization, committed to opening up the great outdoors for people with disabilities through the world of fishing.

Boaters are reminded that mandatory boat inspections will be required prior to launch and before exiting to ensure that zebra and quagga mussels and other aquatic nuisance species are not present. Boaters can help this process run smoothly by:

• Removing all plants, animals and mud.
• Thoroughly washing everything coming into contact with the water prior to arrival.
• Draining all water from live wells, bilges, ballast tanks and any other areas of your boat holding water before leaving any reservoir.
• Completely drying the boat, all equipment and compartments before launching again.

Tournament participants are encouraged to have boats pre-inspected by park staff at the North Shore Boat Ramp during daylight hours the day before the tournament if possible. Boat inspections will begin at 4:30 a.m. on the day of the tournament.

For additional information, call 1 Mile Marina at: 1 (877) 725-3172 or go to www.11milesports.com

A Colorado State Parks pass is required for all vehicles.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife gets everyone outdoors! Attracting more than 12 million visitors per year, Colorado's 42 State Parks are a vital cornerstone of Colorado's economy and quality of life. Colorado State Parks encompass 224,447 land and water acres, offering some of the best outdoor recreation destinations in the state. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is a leader in providing opportunities for outdoor recreation, protecting the state's favorite landscapes, teaching generations about nature and partnering with communities. Colorado State Parks also manage more than 4,300 campsites, and 63 cabins and yurts. For more information on Colorado State Parks or to purchase an annual pass online, visit www.parks.state.co.us .

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