Treeland Challengers find fishing success in tournament

Treeland Resorts and Pat’s Landing held their 39th annual Treeland Challenge tournament for walleye and largemouth bass May 9-11 on the Chippewa Flowage, with 300 anglers of all ages participating in fishing, camaraderie, food and thousands of dollars in prizes.

The anglers caught, released and registered 501 qualifying fish—223 walleye and 278 largemouth bass—during the weekend.

Friday was a wild weather night in northern Wisconsin, with four-foot waves, hail, gusting winds, pouring rain, double rainbows and Northern Lights.

Anglers reported catching walleyes in shallow emergent weeds on crank baits. Largemouth bass were reported in the shallows preparing to spawn. The baits of choice were plastic worms or minnows.

The tournament raffled off two rods and held a 50/50 raffle between Treeland’s and Pat’s Landing, and were able to raise $5,223 for the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame Playground Project. The Hall of Fame is looking to raise $40,000.

LADY LUNKER WALLEYE: Mona Marks of Howard won the award with a 23-inch walleye. However, as Hayward Home Center sponsors it, she gave her award to the next biggest fish, a 21.50-inch walleye caught and released by Sydney Atkins of South Beloit.

LADY LUNKER BASS: There was a tie between 18-inch bass, so the prize went to the second-place fish, bass of 18 and 16.75 inches caught by Jennifer Lemke of Chisago City, Minnesota.

WALLEYE DIVISION: Third place, Kevin Clifford of Hayward, 25.25 inches; second, Calvin Everson of Springbrook, 25.50 inches; first place, Josh Prohaska of Tony, 27 inches.

LARGEMOUTH BASS DIVISION: Third, Chase Prohaska of Wausau, 20 inches and 16.75 inches; second, Greg Satina of Dallas, Texas, 20 inches and 17.75 inches; first, Charles Turner of West Allis, 20 inches and 19.5 inches.