Big Stone Walleye Classic: Wet, Wild, and Worth It!

Over 80 fishing teams of two braved the waters – the rising waters of Big Stone Lake – for the 44th Annual Walleye Classic on Sunday, June 16.  More boats than average came back empty-handed this year as torrential rain caused the lake to rise at an inch  every hour and a half according to official reports, floating debris created potential hazards, and a no-wake request, invoked at midday, added some unique challenges to the still well-attended and successful event. As real fishermen say, “Great fishing memories don’t always include fish.”  

Lee and Michael Julson won the tournament. They pulled in six fish for a total of 20.25 pounds. Their heaviest fish weighed in at 8.3 pounds. In first place, the duo took home $4500 in prize money to split.

Brady Cardwell and Mike Nagel were the runners-up with four fish at 16.8 pounds. Their heaviest tipped the scales at 7.8 pounds. Cardwelll and Nagel won $3200.

Third-place winners were Tanner and Austin Burkman. They also landed four fish for a  total of 16.5 pounds. Their biggest came in at 6.4 pounds. The duo was rewarded with $2500. Landon and Logan Hammer bagged two beauties – one at 8.15 pounds and one at 7.75 – to take fourth place and $2000 in prize money. 

Fifth place was won by David Street and Lisa Casanova, who caught 15.54 pounds of fish. They won $1500.  Rick and Dylan Robinson pulled in 15.15 pounds to take home $1000 and sixth place honors. At No. 7, Bryan and Todd Julson received $800 for their catch of 14.7 pounds. Brock and Lisa Jackson landed 13.6 pounds for $500. Jeff Donnay and Carson Jurgens finished with 12.7  pounds of fish and $400 for their efforts. Colt VanOrden and Zach Dilley rounded out the top 10 with 12.6 pounds of fish and $200 in prize money.

A total of 117 fish were caught by all the contestants. Total weight for the day was 467.81 pounds. The Big Fish of the Day Award went to  L. and M. Julson for their 8.3-pounder. It bolstered their winnings with an extra $500. Brandon Schmieg and Brennen Schafer presented the awards.

Nicolle Berkner, Big Stone Walleye Classic President, said, “Our annual Steve Cramer Memorial – Steve fished our tournament for years –  was won by the 15th-place team of Doug DeVries and Dalton Koch. They received $200. The Duane Pollock Memorial –  Duane helped out and ran the tournament until 2015 – was won by the 11th-place team of Dave Cornelius and Steffan Stiklestad. They also received $200.” Berkner said.

Raffle Ticket Winners:
1st  Place  – Josie Nolz – $300
2nd Place – John Palsifer – $200
3rd Place –  Pat Honer – $150
4th Place – Crag Snertson – $100

“Even with the downpour during the weigh-ins, the public waited for the big prize,” Berkner commented. “With help from an experienced committee and volunteers we were able to pull through and get things done.” 

Also, according to Berkner, everyone is already excited about next year’s tournament that will be held on June 20, 2026. It will mark the Classic’s 45th year. “It’s a great Milestone for us!” she added.