Lake Winnebago Walleyes Test PWT Pros; Gofron Takes Lead

Oshkosh, Wisconsin.....In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail 2001 Championship winner Mike Gofron, Antioch, Illinois, caught a great limit to take the first day lead. He was competing against the world's best walleye anglers on Lake Winnebago in the MinnKota/Mitchell Mideast Pro-Am.

The PWT contestants, pros paired daily with amateurs, fish again Thursday and Friday with weigh-in festivities at the Pioneer Resort in Oshkosh, starting at 3 p.m. Gofron, fishing with amateur Robert Brady, Chicago, Illinois, had 23.84 pounds for their six walleyes. In second are Quin Papp, West Allis, Wis., and amateur Brian Bancroft, Oshkosh, with 20.87 pounds. Third place pro Shannon Kehl, Menoken, North Dakota, and amateur Ross Hosking, Gray Lake, Illinois, have 20.84 pounds.

Hosking also caught the Miller High Life big fish of the day, a Winnebago "giant" at 7.90 pounds. It was worth $1,000 for the daily prize, but could pay another $2,000 if it's the largest of the tournament.

The statistics show that the strong south winds (up to 25 mph, blowing the 40-mile length of the lake) impacted the north-end trollers. As a result, only 21 pairs of anglers caught limits. Of the 154 boats on the lake, 385 fish were weighed; 78 percent were released. The numbers indicate each set of partners caught 2 1/2 walleyes, or each person brought 1 1/4 walleyes to the scales.

The future of Lake Winnebago looks bright with numerous fish pushing over four pounds. And, anglers reported catching many fish from eight to 14 inches, the next two year-classes moving up through the system.

Gary Gray, Oshkosh, increased his lead in the Miller/In-Fisherman Angler of the Year race, a $25,000 year-end reward. He has an eight pound lead over Tommy Skarlis, Walker, Minn. Gofron, the Angler of the Year in 2000, is in third, only a pound behind Skarlis. On the Dee Zee East Division, Mark Sak, Imlay City, Mich., leads, Carl Grunwaldt, Green Bay, Wis., by three pounds. Tom Backer, Fargo, North Dakota, leads the Dee Zee West Division.

The PWT is part of PRIMEDIA, Inc., America's leading producer of targeted media headquartered in New York City. PWT sponsors include: Aqua Vu, Berkley PowerBait, Berkley Trilene, Blue Fox Tackle, Carhartt, Coleman, Cotton Cordell, Daiichi hooks, Dee Zee, Drift Control, DuBro Pro Services, Eagle Trailers, Gander Mountain, IMCO Boat Buckles, Leer, Lindy Little Joe, Lowrance Electronics, Lund Boats, Lund Intl, Mack's Lure, Matzuo, Mercury Outboards, Miller High Life, MinnKota, Mitchell reels, Rapala Lures, Northland Tackle, Oceanwave sunglasses, Pinnacle rods, Plano, RAM, Raymarine, Realtree, SealSkinz, Storm Lures, Yamaha all terrain vehicles, and Oshkosh Convention & Visitors Bureau, 877-303-9200, Hilton Garden Inn, 920-966-1300 and the Pioneer Resort, 800-683-1980.