History

The Big Fish of the Year Contest started as a interoffice fishing competition. Jon was primarily a Walleye fisherman and I was primarily a Bass fisherman. We wanted a way to do a friendly competition and came up with this multi-species format. The contest is intended to encourage friendly competition and have an incentive to new species. The contest has grown to include other agencies and anyone else interested in participating. The follow is a history of the contest.

2010 (First half)
Species - Bass
Word - Oak
Winner - Chad

2010 (Second half)
Species - Crappie
Word - Oak
Winner - None

2011
Species - Walleye (28.5" Walleye, Lake Minnetonka)
Word - Robin
Winner - Jon

2012
Species - Pike/Muskie
Word - Jello
Winner - Jon (40" Muskellunge, Lake Minnetonka)

2013
Primary Species - Bass
Secondary Species - Muskellunge
Primary Winner - Mike Doughty (22" Largemouth)
Secondary Winner - Derek (49.5" Muskellunge, Lake Minnetonka)
Word - Pens

2014
Primary Species - Crappie
Secondary Species - Smallmouth Bass
Primary Winner - Steve (14" Crappie, Whaletail Lake)
Secondary Winner - Chad (21.75" Smallmouth, Mille Lacs)
Word - Zinc

2015
Primary Species - Walleye
Secondary Species - Largemouth Bass
Primary Winner - Mark Marah (28" Walleye, Mississippi River)
Secondary Winner - Mike Doughty (21.25" Largemouth Bass, Lake Minnetonka)
Word - Princess Sophia

2016
Primary Species - Northern Pike / Muskellunge
Secondary Species - Smallmouth Bass
Primary Winner - Mike Doughty (43" Muskellunge)
Secondary Winner - Chad Griggs (21" Smallmouth)
Word - Pluto

2017
Primary Species - Walleye
Secondary Species - Northern Pike
Primary Winner - Mark Marah
Secondary Winner - Chad Griggs

2018
Primary Species - Crappie
Secondary Species - Smallmouth Bass
Primary Winner - Matt Rabe
Secondary Winner - John Mott

2019
Primary Species - Muskellunge
Secondary Species - Walleye
Primary Winner - Bryan Hermerding (40" Muskie)
Secondary Winner - John Mott (29.25" Walleye)

2020
Primary Species - Largemouth Bass
Secondary Species - Crappie
Primary Winner - Split Decision: John Mott, Mike Doughty
Secondary Winner - Mark Marah 

2021
Primary Species - Walleye
Secondary Species - Muskellunge
Primary Winner - Mark Marah
Secondary Winner - None