Nikki Swain at the 2015 Muskie Classic (Photo provided)

SYRACUSE – Approximately 180 anglers will converge on the famed muskie waters of northern Indiana May 13-15, 2016, for the 20th annual Indiana Muskies Classic, presented by the Hoosier Muskie Hunters.

The tournament attracts anglers from as far as West Virginia and noted muskie-fishing hotspots like Minnesota and Wisconsin, as well as Indiana. The weekend event is the unofficial kick-off to the muskie fishing season since many
states have closed seasons or their lakes are still ice covered. Tournament organizers have used the event over the past 20 years to help put Indiana on the map as a great muskie fishing destination.

Working closely with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the Indianapolis-area based Hoosier Muskies Hunters club uses tournament proceeds to enhance the state’s muskie population. The club has raised more than $85,000 to stock nearly 12,000 fish in state waters and also purchased critical equipment for the Indiana DNR.

Indiana Muskie Classic co-director Jeremy Sivis notes that in 2015, “Our club was able to purchase $6,500 worth of minnows to feed muskies being raised in the Fawn River State Fish Hatchery this winter. It will allow them to grow larger before being released, in hopes that we see better survival rates.”

Although the club focus is on muskies, the group has donated $2,000 for bass restocking efforts when a fish kill devastated the smallmouth bass population in central Indiana’s White River.

The 2016 Indiana Muskie Classic is limited to 90 two-person teams, with anglers fishing different waters each day. They will rotate between Lake Tippecanoe, Lake Webster and the Barbee Chain, all located within 10 miles of tournament headquarters.

Tournament registration will open in early January – visit indianamuskiec1assic.com for more information. Special room rates for tournament anglers are available at the Oakwood Resort in Syracuse by calling (574) 457-7100. Be sure to mention ‘Hoosier Muskie Hunters’ special rate.