The Michiana Steelheaders will help kick off the Lake Michigan tournament season next weekend with their Buffalo Bill Memorial Lake Tournament. The event will be held Saturday at Michigan City with Sunday as a back-up day in case wind forces postponement.

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The following Saturday, the Hoosier Coho Club will host a tune-up tournament that precedes the granddaddy of them all, the 32nd annual Hoosier Coho Classic, that will be held May 6-7.

The Buffalo Bill tourney is open to the public, although the boat captain must hold a valid membership ($15). Entry fee is $100 per team and tourney hours are 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Entries must be submitted to Parker's Central Park Bait Shop in Mishawaka (255-7703). Cash prizes will be paid to the top six finishers and several door prizes will be awarded.

Entries for the April 29 Hoosier Coho Club Pro-Am Tuneup tournament is $100 for pros and $50 for amateurs. Fishing hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Central time. Call Dan Messina (219) 872-5215 for details.

The Coho Classic draws top trout and salmon trollers from around the Great Lakes. The 2005 event attracted 100 boats. Entry fee is $350 in the Pro division and $150 for amateurs.

First place is (guaranteed) $5,000 going to the pro winner and $2,000 to the amateur champion. However, the pay-outs grow with the addition of the Big Jon 2nd Day/2nd Chance contest, Big Boys Side Pots, Fishlander Big Fish Cash, Great Lakes Angler Perseverance Award and several random cash and merchandise give-aways.

The Michigan City Port Authority provides slips at no charge during contest days and at reduced rates prior to the Classic.

For Coho Classic details, call Messina whose number was listed above.