Master Walleye circuit hits Stockton Lake

Submitted photo/ Steve Stein of Leavenworth, Kan.,, proudly displays the largest walleye caught on day one of the Cabela's Master Walleye Circuit tournament at Stockton Lake. The fish weighed 3 pounds 3 ounces.

Nevada Daily Mail

For the first time in the 31 year history of the Cabela's Master Walleye Circuit, a tournament was held in Missouri.

The event last weekend kicked off the circuit's 2015 season and drew anglers from 10 states as much warmer weather welcomed the 44 walleye anglers to Stockton lake.

Submitted photo/ The father-daughter team of Mark ad Dianna Gaiant display a 2 pound walleye they netted at the tournament.

Two Missouri anglers, Gary Stanton of Dadeville, and Lee Brown of Springfield, with a second day burst overtook first day leaders, Steve Stein and Kenny Ludwig, both from Leavenworth, Kan., to finish first in the two-day event.

The win earned the Missouri walleye anglers more than $7,000. Since all of the Cabela's Master Walleye Circuit names their winners state walleye champs, the pair of walleye anglers were designated Missouri Walleye Champions.

After the first day, Brown and Stanton were sitting in fifth place with 5 pounds 7 ounces, but they finished strong with 7 pounds 9 ounces on day two to pull off the win.

Submitted photo/ Brian Steichen, Sisseton, South Dakota, displays the largest walleye caught in the tournament, a 3 pound 10 ounce fish.

Brown said, "We started fishing in water 50 feet deep, but after making some changes and moving into 30 feet of water near the dam, we were able to catch the five fish we weighed in, to capture first place. I have loved fishing for walleye for a long time, this has been an emotional experience."

Dan Palmer, tournament director, said, "The tournament started out with three tournaments, now 31 years later, has grown to 11 tournaments this season. The tournaments have been held in northern states for the most part, but with the successful growth and popularity of walleye fishing, we have moved south to fish lakes like Stockton that have sizable walleye populations. We know there are other good walleye fishing in other Missouri lakes, including Bull Shoals where we hope to hold a tournament in the near future."

Many of the tournament's anglers were surprised to find the temperature in the 60s since the cold winter has kept most northern walleye lakes iced-up. Brian Steichen, Sisseton of South Dakota, said, "I thought we would be fishing in the snow and cold, but it turned out much better than I thought."

Submitted photo/ Some of the 22 boats coming in to the Orleans Trail Marina for the weigh-in at the Cabela's Master Walleye Tournament.

Palmer said the tournaments are different and its all about the weather.

"In walleye fishing it's always about the weather. We are trying to reach out to more anglers, we have started the Walleye Federation in order to get more walleye clubs started throughout the country. We have clubs now in Texas, Utah and New Mexico. We are trying to grow the competitive sport of walleye fishing.

"Its not just a northern states thing anymore, I was talking to a man from Mountain Home, Ark., where they have a 300 member walleye club. They want us to hold a tournament at Bull Shoals in January. Our season usually goes from the end of March to October, but I would like to see it go year 'round."

Submitted photo/ Lee Brown, Springfield and Gary Stanton, Dadeville, host the trophies they won after taking first place in the Cabela's Master Walleye Tournament held on Stockton Lake.

After the first day of the tournament, Stein and Ludwig, held the lead with 9 pounds, 14 ounces of walleye, including the largest fish of the day that weighed 3 pounds 3 ounces, making it two ounces heavier than the second place fish.

Second place went to South Dakota anglers, Mike Dorris and Brian Tordsen with 8 pounds 14 ounces. There were 35 fish caught with a total weigh of 59 pounds 3 ounces.

On day two of the tournament, the anglers weighed 34 fish with a total weight of 54 pounds 3 ounces.

Although Stockton was new territory for many of the anglers, they liked what they saw and plan on returning later this year. The rest of the 2015 schedule includes nine states and 11 tournaments.

Palmer said, " This was my first time to Stockton, It has been a great time. It was a challenge for the anglers."

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