Sunday, March 18, 2007 teams from Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Iowa converged on the city of Spring Valley Illinois for the third Illinois Walleye Trail Tournament. Weather conditions were ideal with 50 degree air temperature and surface temperature in the upper 40’s. Mosly sunny and the light breeze found the saugers very active. Over half the field scaled limits of fish totaling 179 fish, weighing 371.66 pounds. Average weight was 2.08. The makeup of the 179 fish cantained 129 females and 50 males. The team of Dan Palmer, Rockford, IL and Marc Hoster, Marsailles, IL put together the best pattern and scaled 18.80 pounds earning a check for $1500.00 , They were also the recepients of the $100.00 gift certificate as the first Lund boat in the money compliments of Hennepin Marine.. Marc and Dan found the fish on the first break and caught them using floaters with minnows. Placing second from Spring Valley, IL were John Dalzot and Tom Giachetto Jr. from Ladd with 16.66 pounds earning a check for $770.00. Rounding out the top 3, the brothers of Gary and Bruce Merkel from Spring Valley, IL scaled 15.69 pounds earning a check for $495.00. Big fish honors went to Bob Horvath from Moquena, IL and Mike Thomas
with a 4.36 Sauger receiving $420.00. Several different patterns caught fish all day, floaters with minnows, crank baits on three ways, and lead core producing the best. Complete details, place of finish and point standings can be found http://www.prairielandeyes.com . We would like to thank our fine sponsors, Hennepin Marine, Lund Boats, Mercury Marine, and Cabelas for all their support and help. The Illinois Walleye Trail’s next tournament will be April 1, 2007 at Spring Valley. This is the makeup tournament for the December 3 cancellation. Anyone can enter and applications are available on the above website. Don’t forget June 3, 2007 is the Adult Youth Walleye Tournament in Hennepin Illinois. Applications are available at http://www.hennepinmarine.com or the above website. Registrations must be completed by May 15, 2007. Any additinal information needed contact Bob Kidd 309-527-6328
March 19, 2007 at 3:00 am
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