Outdoor News Daily

First Lady Katie O’Malley will host the 2010 Maryland Fishing Challenge Finale, where Bill Heisterhagan—the final angler to catch a Diamond Jim tagged striped bass—will find out whether he’s walking away a $25,000 winner, or with a $500 consolation prize. Heisterhagan will join as many as 2,000 anglers eligible for other prizes including a Tracker boat package from Bass Pro Shops at Arundel Mills and a 7-day dream excursion to the island of Tobago courtesy of the World Fishing Network. Prizes also include thousands of dollars in merchandise from Under Armour, Bill’s Outdoor Center, Kent Island Kayaks and Bass Pro Shops.

The fifth and final Diamond Jim tagged striped bass of the contest was caught by 13-year-old Tristen Blake of Federalsburg, Md., with less than 24 hours left in the contest. Tristen was bottom fishing with soft crab in the Eastern Bay on September 5 with his stepfather, James Little, when he caught a 26-inch tagged striper. A DNR biologist certified the catch as an imposter tagged back on May 27 south of Poplar Island. Tristen’s fish is worth $500 and he will be eligible for the grand prizes and merchandise to be given out Saturday at the finale event.

This year, the Department of Natural Resources is teaming up with the Maryland Seafood Festival to expand fishing opportunities to a new audience of Marylanders and provide more activities to anglers who loyally enjoy the finale every year.

Who: First Lady, Judge Katie O’Malley

DNR Secretary John Griffin

Radio Personality Allan Ellis

Sport Fishing Enthusiasts and Fish Challenge Sponsors

As many as 2,000 Fishing Challenge Contestants

WHAT: 2010 Maryland Fishing Challenge, the Search for Diamond Jim Finale at the Maryland Seafood Festival

WHERE: Sandy Point State Park

1100 East College Parkway
Annapolis, MD 21409

WHEN: Saturday, September 11, 2010

Registration: 8 to 9:30 a.m.

Ceremony will begin at 10 a.m.

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