​What Gil Hamm said about himself... and MUSKIES, INC. 

"We didn't build a knife-and-fork club. We built a working club that does something good for the muskies."

"If I had never started this damn club, I would have done more muskie fishing." 
"I finally decided to stay out of the DNR because I was an irritant. When I didn't get what I wanted, I hollered." 

"I began to fish at every opportunity. In fact, I fell out of bed twice trying to land big muskies."
​"If I had realized how difficult or impossible this would be, Muskies, Inc. would have died a-borning. But it seems that anyone with a dream is not very practical and will try most anything."

"So many Muskies, Inc. members have given so much of their time and energy that it would be impossible to mention them all."

"As a single club, we'll never be able to do it all. But I think Muskies, Inc. will be around as long as a daredevil lure catches fish".

"With Muskies, Inc., I've a strong hunch we're anticipating new, massive private interest in the preservation and extension of our outdoor heritage. We didn't make this: the Creator left it to us in trust. We've got to make man the restorer rather than the great predator."

"Growing like we have has increased or effectiveness. They're talking muskies and Muskies, Inc. all over the country".

​Past Gil Hamm Winners

2026 - North Metro
2025 - Bemidji/Cass Lake
​2024 - Fargo-Moorhead
​2023 - North Metro
​2022 - Brainerd Lakes
2021 - Fargo-Moorhead
​2020 - Bemidji/Cass Lake
2019 - Bemidji/Cass Lake
​2018 - Star of the North
2017 - Bemidji/Cass Lake
2016 - Star of the North
2015 - Star of the North
2014 - Fargo-Moorhead
2013 - Star of the North
2012 - Chicagoland Muskie Hunters
2011 - Star of the North
2010 - Star of the North
2009 - Star of the North
2008 - Fargo/Moorhead
2007 - First Wisconsin
2006 - First Wisconsin
2005 - Fargo-Moorhead
2004 - Fargo-Moorhead
2003 - Southside Muskie Hawks
2002 - Fargo-Moorhead
2001 - North Metro
​2000 - Twin Cities
​​​1999 - First Wisconsin
1998 - Fox River Valley
1997 - Vikingland
1996 - Fox River Valley
1995 - Colorado
1994 - Lake Superior
1993 - Colorado
1992 - Colorado
1991 - Fox River Valley
1990 - Fox River Valley
1989 - Southside Muskie Hawks
1988 - Southside Muskie Hawks
1987 - Chicagoland Muskie Hunters
1986 - Upper Great Plains
1985 - Hayward Lakes
1984 - Hayward Lakes
1983 - First Wisconsin
1982 - Twin Cities
1981 - Red River Valley
1980 - Twin Cities
1979 - Headwaters
1978 - Mississippi Valley
1977 - Fargo-Moorhead

2026 Gil Hamm Information

​How to Register Your Team(s)

List Your Team(s) Members,
Send $100 per team (up to 6 people), made payable to Bemidji-Cass Muskies Inc and mail to:

Bemidji Cass Muskies Inc
1312 Carr Lake Rd SW
Bemidji, MN 56601​

Contact Chris Thury at 612-590-9785 (call or text) or email [email protected] for more information
2026 Agenda, Rules and Information
Hamm Agenda
​
Tuesday the 25th
*5:30-6:30pm Registration of Teams
*6:30pm Welcome & Opening Remarks
*Rules Breakdown -  Mandatory for 1 person from each team to attend 
*Fishing hours  
6:00 AM- 6:00 PM Wednesday and Thursday 
6:00 AM- 12:00 PM Friday 
*All fish must be registered by 7:00 PM Wednesday and Thursday or 1:00 PM Friday 

Wednesday the 26th
*Fishing Hours 6:00 AM- 6:00 PM 
*Fish Registration 6-7:00 PM 
*Buffet Dinner, Raffle & Day 1 Results @ Chanticleer Inn 7:00 PM     

Thursday the 27th
*Fishing Hours 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM 
*Fish Registration 6-7:00 PM 
*Buffet Dinner, Raffle & Day 2 Results @ Chanticleer Inn 7:00 PM   
​
Friday the 28th
*Fishing Hours 6:00 AM- 12:00 PM 
*Fish Registration Noon-1:00 PM  
*1-2 PM Lunch @ Chanticleer Inn Beer Garden 
*2:00 PM Presentation of the Big Fish Award and the Lunge Bucket 
*2:15 PM Closing Remarks & Group Photo
​Big Fish Award Rules
​
*Person must be registered in the Big Fish Award

*Fish must be caught during Hamm designated fishing times

*Two digital photos must be presented at time of turning in release
   - Photo of muskie with person who caught it
       *Photo must display with fish in horizontal hold
   - Photo of muskie on a bump board to verify length

*Largest muskie by length wins the Big Fish Award

*In case of a tie, first muskie that was registered wins
2026 Hamm Chapter Challunge
Eagle River Rules & Information
  • Fishable Waters
    • The following navigable waters of the Eagle River Chain: Watersmeet, Yellow Birch, Duck, Lynx, Otter, Eagle, Scattering Rice, Voyageur, Catfish & Cranberry Lakes, as well as all connecting waterways.
 
  • Fishing Hours
    • 6am – 6pm Wednesday & Thursday
    • 6am – noon on Friday
 
  • Fish Registration & Photos
    • Every fish must have 2 photos submitted.
      • A “Hero Shot” of the angler holding the fish
      • Bump board photo – a clear photo of the fish’s length on the board
        • The nose of the fish must be touching the board, and the entire fish must be visible showing the full measurement of the fish.
  • All measurements will be rounded down to the nearest half inch.
    • Example: a fish measuring 47.75 will be recorded as a 47.5
  • All photos must be taken with a smartphone with a camera.
    • The anglers phone must be presented to the tournament committee during the designated fish registration times to verify the photo’s timestamp and confirm the fish was taken during tournament hours
  • Fish registration times are from 6-7pm Wednesday & Thursday, and noon-1pm on Friday
  • Each fish must be sent via text to Ethan Rogers at 218-766-6697 and include the following: Anglers name, chapter or team, fish size, along with the two corresponding photos no later than 7 pm Wednesday & Thursday, and 1 pm on Friday.
 
  • Fish Scoring
    • Muskies Inc point scoring will apply.
      • 4 points for a 30” fish, plus 1 additional point for every inch.
 
  • Forward Facing Sonar
    • Forward facing sonar will NOT be allowed for the Gil Hamm Chapter Challunge.