Waterdogs Fishing Club – Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota
What is the club’s purpose? Founded in the Twin Cities in 1982, The Waterdogs Fishing Club is made up of anglers from all aspects of life with a variety of fishing interests. The club was founded with the purpose of allowing its members to learn from each other, while enjoying the pleasures of fishing.
What is the cost of membership? The membership fee is currently $150. Most of the membership fee goes straight back to our members in the form of prizes. It helps fund awards for the top three finishers, along with prizes for other special categories.
How are expenses shared for Tournaments/Outings? Boat partners should divide their expenses evenly among themselves. Costs will always vary according to the boat, vehicle, and distance traveled. The non-boat partner (swab) is expected to pay for ½ of the boat owner’s expenses for traveling to, during, and from a club tournament or outing. It is understood that a variety of circumstances can take place, so it is expected that partners discuss finances, travel arrangements, meeting times, etc., before the function to avoid concerns. Boat owners cannot charge partners for insurance, parts, repairs, or other problems that can develop while on a fishing excursion. However, non-boaters (swab) should understand that the cost of owning and operating a boat is more than the cost of gas, so be considerate when it comes time to reimburse the boat owner. In recognition of the cost of owning, maintaining, and operating a boat, the non-boater (swab) should also pay for the meal expense of the captain for one main meal of the trip. If there are no plans for a club meal during the trip the swab is asked to bring lunch, drinks and snacks to share with the captain. We realize it is often difficult for some people to ask for money, but please don’t be afraid to ask. Non-boaters, please make a habit of asking the boat owner how much you owe.
Do I need a boat? While many members own boats, this is not a requirement to be a member of the Waterdogs. In fact, the club is a great opportunity for non-boaters to enjoy boat fishing without ownership. Even if you own a boat, you may want to fish in other member boats for a few tournaments to see how the tournaments are run. We do require that all boats used in tournaments meet the minimum boat safety requirements for the State of Minnesota.
When are the monthly meetings? The Waterdogs meet the first Thursday of every month throughout the year. Meetings start at 6:30 pm and typically last about 2 hours. Many members arrive early (about 5:30 p.m.) to share a bite to eat with their fellow Waterdogs. Meetings often include both internal and external speakers on a variety of fishing topics. Our current meeting location is Tuttle’s Bowling Alley, Shady Oak Road, Hopkins, Minnesota.
What are the tournaments like? The Waterdogs schedule six tournaments over the course of a season (from May through October). One or two of these tournaments may be two-day overnight outings. The tournaments take on a variety of approaches over numerous different bodies of water. Single and multi-species tournaments have been held for walleye, stream trout, muskie, pike, bass (smallmouth and largemouth), and crappie. Typically, we have a minimum of three bass tournaments per year. Different popular metro area lakes as well as outstate lakes/rivers are fished each year.
- During tournaments all fish are weighed and released as soon as possible. Scorable fish are then entered onto the scorecard to assure accurate scoring at the end of the tournament.
- Pairings (captain & swab) for each tournament are determined by the Tournament Committee chairman using a 2-year lookback document to get as many members fishing with other different members. The tournament pairings will be released 10 days prior to the tournament.
Are there any participation expectations? Your participation is what makes being a Waterdog an enjoyable and rewarding experience for all of us. So please mark your calendar with dates for upcoming monthly meetings, tournament dates, special service events and the annual trip and try to make as many of these events as you can. But don’t stop there. Bring new ideas to the club for special service projects. Share your thoughts, ideas and fishing techniques. Suggest topics for future speakers to present at the monthly meetings or suggest guest speakers if you know someone. Voice your opinions to spark discussions at the monthly meetings. It’s all of the little things like those above (and more) that we can all do to make our time shared with each other all the more enjoyable, rewarding and educational.
How do I get involved with the club? Many hands make the lifting lighter. Our club encourages members to actively volunteer and participate in at least one committee throughout the year. Many members participate in more than one. Also, there are opportunities to chair a committee and develop your leadership skills. Committees include: Tournament, Annual Trip, Food, Photo, Special Services, Newsletter, Annual Banquet, New Member and Seminar committees.
Are there opportunities to fish outside of the tournaments? Definitely! Many members plan trips and invite others to join, both in-state and out. The club also has a tradition of organizing a week-long fishing trip each year, plus our year-end event is a great way to connect and enjoy some fun on the water together.