Walleye First
Published June 3, 2009

The first annual Minnesota Fishing Challenge presented by Mills Fleet Farm was a huge success.  The 87 teams participating in this charity raised more than $85,000, which will all go to Teen Challenge, the most successful drug and alcohol rehabilitation program in the state. 

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Conducted on Gull Lake near Brainerd, Minnesota, on Saturday, May 30, the two-person teams faced windy conditions, yet were all smiles upon their return to Ernie's on Gull with their mixed bags of bass, pike, walleyes and panfish.  Honorary tournament director Al Lindner said, "This first annual event was a great success and will only grow.  The anglers' smiles told the story - they really liked fishing for the species that was biting for them." 
 
Winners of the Full Throttle walleye division were Mark and Eric Sullivan with 11.37 pounds for their tournament limit of three walleyes.  Their biggest weighed 5.46 pounds.  Eric is from Brainerd and Mark lives in Ulen.  They won a guided fishing trip with Perry Good.  The largest walleye of the tournament, 6.24 pounds was landed by the team of James Hodgin, Newport and Mike Lundberg, Lakeshore.  They won the Rack Back big walleye trophy, presented by Camden Outdoors.  Walleyes were caught in seven feet of water, all the way out to 40 feet deep. 
 
The Full Throttle bass division went to Scott and Kevin Bonnema from Zimmerman.  Their bass tipped the scales to 4.38 pounds.  Each team could weigh only one bass.  The Bonnemas won a guided fishing trip with Butch Blasing.  Bass were caught throughout the lake, from under docks to 32 feet of water, on every presentation including casting Rapala Shad Raps and X-Raps to jigs and plastic to live bait.  The average bass weighed 2.89 pounds.  Both walleye and bass winners received Old World Meats trophies for being the top-placing family teams in the contest.
 
Scott Wielenburg and Shawn Lindley, Brainerd, won the Nor-Son panfish division.  They weighed a tournament limit of three panfish at 2.86 pounds, and won a guided trip with Rich Boggs.  Contestants could bring in crappies, bluegills, sunfish and perch in any combination.  Most were shallow and tiny jigs and plastic accounted for most.
 
Claiming the Nor-Son pike division were Lowell Borgen, Maple Grove, and Gary Ellis, Ham Lake, with a 6.71-pound pike.  They won a guided fishing trip with Tim Anderson.  Pike fishing was tougher than expected and best described by David Johansen as, "They had lock-jaw."  He and partner Mark Boone, Brainerd finished third, but Johansen was the winner of the Birchdale Fire & Security trophy for traveling the farthest, 6,110 miles from Lebanon, to fish the Challenge. 

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The top fund-raisers, Jamison Seiffert and Joshua Maxwell, Litchfield won a fishing trip with Al Lindner for raising the most funds of any team, $5,370.  Walleye Dan Eigen will escort the team of Steve Walstad, Buffalo, and Jeff Ekstrand, Rogers on a guided fishing trip for raising $4,270.  Anglers from throughout Minnesota traveled to the Brainerd-lakes area to participate.  "New friendships and new fishing partners were created, but the real blessing was the great effort all contestants made to benefit Teen Challenge," Lindner said. 

A big crowd of fishing fans cheered the anglers on stage.  The families also enjoyed the Fishing for Life games and activities for youngsters, hosted by the Miss Brainerd pageant contestants.  Kids also had fun learning the basics and shooting in the Centershot Archery lanes. 

Minnesota Teen Challenge currently serves 450 students in Minneapolis, Brainerd and Duluth.  It is the most successful drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs in the state.  More information, results and pictures can be viewed at mntc.org/fishingchallenge. 


Minnesota Fishing Challenge
2009 Nor-Son Northern Pike Division
(Teams are from Minnesota unless noted.)

1.  Lowell Borgen, Maple Grove & Gary Ellis, Ham Lake            6.71
2.  Jeff Clarke, Arlington & Larry Stuber, New Auburn            6.09
3.  Mark Boone & David Johansen, Brainerd                    5.85
4.  Brad Ramberg, Cromwell & Gregg Ramberg, Baxter            5.65
5.  Steve Walsted, Buffalo & Jeff Ekstrand, Rogers                5.55
6.  Calvin & Mark Wallin, Pequot Lakes                    5.14
7.  Dave Csanda & George Cooper, Brainerd                    5.08
8.  Brent Beimert, Pillager & Nic Miltimore, Brainerd            4.76
9.  Adam Dewey & Mike Guin, Baxter                    4.69
9.  Ryan Cerney, Brainerd & Mike Deuth, Baxter                4.69

11. Scott & Kevin Bonnema, Zimmerman                    4.59
12. Ed Scheele, Hudson, WI & Daryl Christensen, Montello, WI        4.47
13. Tim Schulke, Baxter & Derek Johnson, Pillager                4.35
14. Randy Moeser, Brainerd & Ty Swenson, Nisswa            4.16
15. Jason Strom, Nisswa & Cobi Hood, Brainerd                4.10
16. Jim & Nick Lindner, Brainerd                        3.94
17. Mike Grussing, Bloomington & Will Harvey, Villard            3.92
18. Steve McNamara, Bovey & Jim Davis, Grand Rapids            3.87
19. Thomas Mazer, Orono & Brad Mazer, Mound                3.74
20. Doug Wing, Lynd & Dustin Kjelden, Bookings, SD            3.55

21. Brock Welker, Big Lake & Nate Kalkofen, Mounds View        3.44
22. Ryan Dewey, Esko & Adam Rietz, Duluth                3.32
23. James Hodgin, Newport & Mike Lundberg, Lakeshore            3.28
24. Richard & Emily Eberspacher, Rockford                    3.19
25. Donald Ruis, Pillager & Scott Ruis, Milaca                2.94
26. Tim Duffney, Aitkin & Bob Sweeney, Deerwood            2.89
27. Brent Nybakken, Breezy Point & Gary Alderman, Inver Grove Hts.    2.88
28. Dan Ryks, South St. Paul & Bill Kutka, Hastings            2.75
29. Ike Hedberg, Brainerd & Duane Grace, Moose Lake            2.67
29. Shawn Bjonfald, Burnsville & Dalton Dritz, Bloomington        2.67

31. Byron & Cindy Landon, Cannon Falls                    2.65
32. Dave Kingsbury, Spring Lake Park & Mike Garrett, New Brighton       2.57
33. Bill & Anne Hyska, Northfield                        2.49
34. Jamison Seifert & Joshua Maxwell, Litchfield                2.46
34. Chris Sleeper, Roseville & Brent Sinn, Chanhassen            2.46
36. Jon Reichert, Maple Grove & James Hoglin, Baxter            2.42
37. John Ward & Paul Flansburg, Brainerd                    2.29
38. Chuck Bokinskie, Alexandria & Corey Bokinskie, Nisswa        2.28
39. Tom Davis, Mankato & Leon Petterson, Lake Crystal            2.11
40.  Joe Conley & Sean O'Brien, Inver Grove Heights            2.10

Total Pike Weighed:  40
Total Pike Released:  37
Total Pike Weight:  148.7 pounds
Average Pike Weight:  3.72 pounds




Minnesota Fishing Challenge
2009 Full Throttle Walleye Division
(Teams are from Minnesota unless noted.)

1.  Mark Sullivan, Ulen & Eric Sullivan, Brainerd            11.37
2.  Randy Moeser, Brainerd & Ty Swenson, Nisswa              8.89
3.  Tom & Michael Walters, Eden Prairie                          8.55
4.  James Hodgin, Newport & Mike Lundberg, Lakeshore          8.41
5.  Don Baker, Big Lake & Mitchell Zitzloff, Waverly           7.88
6.  Gary Hasse, Pequot Lakes & Scott Pederson, Nisswa          7.41
7.  Brian McGuire & Jim Sweeney, Grand Rapids              7.24
8.  Jim & Nick Lindner, Brainerd                      7.08
9.  Chuck Bokinskie, Alexandria & Corey Bokinskie, Nisswa      7.03
10. Calvin and Mark Wallin, Pequot Lakes                  6.81

11. Doug Wing, Lynd & Dustin Kjelden, Brookings, SD          6.11
12. Joel Nelson, Ramsey & Don Bennett, Andover              5.71
13. Jamison Seiffert & Joshua Maxwell, Litchfield              5.38
14. John Ward & Paul Flansburg, Brainerd                  4.49
15. Jeff Clarke, Arlington & Larry Stuber, New Auburn          4.27
16. Steve McNamara, Bovey & Jim Davis, Grand Rapids          3.40
17. Ryan Dewey, Esko & Adam Rietz, Duluth              3.19
18. Peter Hein, Princeton & Paul Hein, Aitkin              3.02
19. Brad Ramberg, Cromwell & Gregg Ramberg, Baxter          2.99
20. Dan Ryks, South St. Paul & Bill Kutka, Hastings          2.95

21. B. Nybakken, Breezy Point & G. Alderman, Inver Grove Hts.     2.63
22. Thomas Mazer, Orono & Brad Mazer, Mound              2.62
23. Chris Carlson, Elk River & Chris Maxson, Big Lake          2.63
24. Chris Sleeper, Roseville & Brent Sinn, Chanhassen          2.29
25. Tim Schulke, Baxter & Derek Johnson, Pillager              2.24
26. Joe Conley & Sean O'Brien, Inver Grove Heights          2.22
27. Mike Grussing, Bloomington & Will Harvey, Villard          2.05
28. Jason Strom, Nisswa & Cobi Hood, Brainerd              2.03
29. Brock Welker, Big Lake & Nate Kalkofen, Mounds View      2.01
30. Russ Wicklund, Brainerd & Tom Longanecker, Pillager          1.95

31. Bill & Anne Hyska, Northfield                      1.91
32. Mark Boone & David Johansen, Brainerd              1.90
33. Ed Scheele, Hudson, WI & Daryl Christensen, Montello, WI      1.73
34. Richard and Emily Eberspacher, Rockford              1.49
35. Larry Schoenecker, New Prague & Paul Sprain, Minnetonka      1.45
36. Joe Zak & Jeremy Johnson, Brainerd                  1.39

Total Walleyes Weighed:  60
Total Walleyes Released:  50
Total Weight of Walleyes:  154.63 pounds
Average Weight per Walleye:  2.58 pounds

Rack Back Big Walleye Award: James Hodgin and Mike Lundberg, 6.24 pounds


Minnesota Fishing Challenge
2009 Full Throttle Bass Division
(Teams are from Minnesota unless noted)

1.  Scott & Kevin Bonnema, Zimmerman                4.38
2.  Adam Dewey & Mike Guin, Baxter                4.29
3.  Ryan Dewey, Esko & Adam Rietz, Duluth            4.26
4.  Steve Mattson, Grand Rapids & John Janousek, Nisswa        4.24
5.  Bob Slothouber, Cloquet & Mark Schutz, Brooklyn Park        3.94
6.  Doug Wing, Lynd & Dustin Kjelden, Brookings, SD        3.94
7.  Brent Beimert, Pillager & Nic Miltimore, Brainerd         3.92
8.  Chuck Bokinskie, Alexandria & Corey Bokinskie, Nisswa    3.78
8.  Ike Hedberg, Brainerd & Duane Grace, Moose Lake        3.78
10. Scott Wielenburg & Shawn Lindley, Brainerd            3.66

11. Richard Brummer, Cloquet & Tim McComb, Duluth        3.57
12. Joe Bricko, Farmington & Paul Wagner, Northfield        3.52
13. Chris Sleeper, Roseville & Brent Sinn, Chanhassen        3.15
13. Chris Carlson, Elk River & Chris Maxson, Big Lake        3.15
15. Tim Schulke, Baxter & Derek Johnson, Pillager            3.14
16. Donny Hines & Jeff Young, Brainerd                3.13
17. Calvin & Mark Wallin, Pequot Lakes                3.05
18. Steve Walstad, Buffalo & Jeff Ekstrand, Rogers            2.83
19. Larry Olson, Big Lake & Kelly Phillips, Brainerd        2.81
20. Jon Reichert, Maple Grove & James Hoglin, Baxter        2.79

21. Troy Waldren & Mike Johnson, Duluth                2.78
22. Lowell Borgen, Maple Grove & Gary Ellis, Ham Lake        2.72
23. Wayne Shalles & John Roundly, Cedar                2.71
24. Dave & Cole Anderson, Elk River                2.70
25. Jamison Seiffert, Buffalo & Joshua Maxwell, Rogers        2.61
26. Joe Conley & Sean Olson, Inver Grove Heights            2.60
26. Jim & Nick Lindner, Brainerd                    2.60
28. Brian McGuire & Jim Sweeney, Grand Rapids            2.58
29. Larry Schoenecker, New Prague & Paul Sprain, Minnetonka    2.54
30. Russ Wicklund, Brainerd & Tom Longanecker, Pillager        2.50

30. Lloyd Stoll, Glyndon & Gregg Thee, Moorhead            2.50
32. Brad Ramberg, Cromwell & Gregg Ramberg, Baxter        2.43
32. Jeff Clarke, Arlington & Larry Stuber, New Auburn        2.43
34. B. Nybakken, Breezy Point & G. Alderman, Inver Grove Hts.   2.40
35. Ed Scheele, Hudson, WI & Daryl Christensen, Montello, WI    2.37
36. Brock Welker, Big Lake & Nate Kalkofen, Mounds View    2.28
37. Joe Zak & Jeremy Johnson, Brainerd                2.27
38. Jason Ruiz & Josh Baas, Milaca                    2.07
39. Tina & Brett Gibson, Duluth                    1.99

40. Richard & Emily Eberspacher, Rockford                1.96
41. Joel Nelson, Ramsey & Don Bennett, Andover            1.88
42. Duane Bovee & Alan Johnson, Aitkin                1.65
43. Dave Csanda & George Cooper, Brainerd            1.62
44. Tim Duffney, Aitkin & Bob Sweeney, Deerwood        1.58

Total Bass Weighed:  44
Total Bass Released:  43
Total Bass Weight:  127.1 pounds
Average Bass Weight:  2.89 pounds

Minnesota Fishing Challenge
2009 Nor-Son Panfish Division
(Teams are from Minnesota unless noted.)

1.    Scott Wielenburg & Shawn Lindley, Brainerd        2.86
2.    Steve Walstad, Buffalo & Jeff Ekstrand, Rogers        2.53
3.    Jason Strom, Nisswa & Cobi Hood, Brainerd        2.42
4.    Steve Mattson, Grand Rapids & John Janousek, Nisswa    2.30
5.    L. Schoenecker, New Prague & Paul Sprain, Minnetonka    2.26
6.    Peter Hein, Princeton & Paul Hein, Aitkin           
7.    Dave Csanda & George Cooper, Brainerd            2.01
8.    Donny Hines & Jeff Young, Brainerd            1.93
9.    Dan Ryks, South St. Paul & Bill Kutka, Hastings        1.92
10.    Joe Conley & Sean O'Brien, Inver Grove Heights        1.80

11. James Hodgin, Newport & Mike Lundberg, Lakeshore    1.78
12. Joe Zak & Jeremy Johnson, Brainerd                1.67
13. Russ Wicklund, Brainerd & Tom Longanecker, Pillager    1.66
14. Doug Wing, Lynd & Dustin Kjelden, Brookings, SD    1.61
15. Bob Slothouber, Cloquet & Mark Schutz, Brooklyn Park    1.53
16. Wayne Shalles & John Roundly, Cedar            1.53
17. John Ward & Paul Flansburg, Brainerd            1.51
18. Tim Schulke, Baxter & Derek Johnson, Pillager        1.50
19. Dave & Cole Anderson, Elk River                1.41
20. Tim Duffney, Aitkin & Bob Sweeney, Deerwood        1.40

21. Randy Moeser, Brainerd & Ty Swenson, Nisswa        1.37
22. Chris Sleeper, Roseville & Brent Sinn, Chanhassen        1.33
23. Joe Bricko, Farmington & Paul Wagner, Northfield        1.33
24. Michael & Dan Dosch, Waconia                1.32
25. Brian McGuire & Jim Sweeney, Grand Rapids        1.27
26. Troy Waldren & Mike Johnson, Duluth            1.24
27. Tina & Brett Gibson, Duluth                    1.07
28. Jim & Nick Lindner, Brainerd                  .99
29. Ed Scheele, Hudson, WI & Daryl Christensen, Montello, WI .95
30. Mark Boone & David Johansen, Brainerd              .81
31. Ike Hedberg, Brainerd & Duane Grace, Moose Lake          .66
32. Larry Olson, Big Lake & Kelly Phillips, Brainerd          .44

Total Panfish Weighed:  94
Total Panfish Released:  93
Total Weight:  50.42 pounds
Average Weight:  .54 pounds







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