Greetings: I am fairly new to bass fishing and was wondering if anyone was from central/northern Wisconsin and if there were any tournaments around the area. Thank you.

I fish a tourney on Balsam lake every July. The entry fee is steep, but the prizes, including a Ranger boat, and the chance of finishing in the money are fairly decent.  If nothing else you have a good chance of at least recouping your entry fee.  It's a two day, week-end tournament held on either the second or third week-end in July.  The reason I say you have a good chance of finishing in the money is that a lot of pure amatures enter in hopes of getting lucky and winning the boat. In nine years, I've only seen one angler that was new to tournament fishing finish in the top 25. That narrows down the field

On the flip side is the fact that it also draws a lot of expert anglers and fishing in the heat of summer on a big natural lake against some of the best anglers in the area really limits your chances of finishing in the money. If you fish club tournaments, think of fishing against 50 or so area club AOY. The best I've done was 17th. and only because I picked up some really nice fish the first day.

The best advice I can give you is to check into local clubs, I know there are a few that target Petenwell and Castle Rock a few times a year, but don't ask me where they're based. Membership is affordable and even if you don't fish every tourney, it is a fun and learning experience.