The Illinois Walleye Trail resumed the 2008 schedule on Sunday 3-16-2008 at Spring Valley, IL. 45 teams from Indiania, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois participated. The river conditions continue to improve with record high water levels over the winter months. The fishermen found the saugers had moved out of the deeper holes and up onto the current breaks in preparation for the spring spawning run. Three basic presentations caught fish, crankbaits, pulling floaters, and with the old true method jig and minnow as the winning technique. Placing first were Max Actis and Mike Stuckert from Spring Valley, IL with a 5 fish basket weighing 14.18 lbs, earning them $1595.00. Also compliments of Hennepin Marine and Lunds Boats they received a $250.00 bonus check as the first Lund boat owner in the standings. Placing second, were Chris and John Perez from Crestwood, IL with a 6 fish limit weighing 14.17 lbs earning them $800.00. Third place honors went to Jason Wrosch from Melrose Park, IL and John Smith from Monmouth, IL with 5 fish weighing 11.13 lbs earning them $490.00. Big Fish honors went to Mark Michael and Manny Marques from Princeton, IL with a 3.81 sauger for $430.00. Hennepin Marine provided a gift certificate to the second Lund owner in the standings valued at $100.00. Guy Lopez and Paul Dimock were the recipients.
The next Illinois Walleye trail tornament is scheduled for April 6, 2008 at Spring Valley. Again Hennepin Marine and Lund Boats will be awarding $250.00 bonus money to a Lund boat owner. Complete results and information can be located at http://www.prairielandeyes.com. The annual Angler Young Angler (AYA) tornament is scheduled for June 1, 2008 at Hennepin, IL. This tournament is limited to 50 teams and is approaching that limit. Information can also be found on the above website or http://www.hennepinmarine.com .
We want to thank our fine sponsors, Hennepin Marine, Lund Boats, Mercury Marine, and Cabelas.