The first of a monthly catfish and bass fishing tournament on Lake Palestine is scheduled to launch Nov. 7.

The Lake Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a bass and cat open contest on the first Saturday of each month with a championship tournament set for Dec. 4, 2010.

Lake Palestine Chamber President Larry Paxton will be the tournament director for the first three months of the event that will award prize money for the largest three-fish stringer of catfish or bass. An entry fee is required.

"Lake Palestine hosts many fishing tournaments, but most of them are held by various organizations and are closed to the public, " Paxton said. "The chamber saw the need for a regular monthly tournament open to the public to emphasize just how good the fishing on this lake can be."

The one-day tournament will launch at safe light at Lake Palestine Resort. The weigh-in will be at 3 p.m. the same day.

To register for the bass and cat open contest, call 903-876-2253 and show up at Lake Palestine Resort early on the day of the tournament.