July 24, 2019
Bismarck duo wins derby, biggest fish
BY TYSON SMEDSTAD
Lake Sakakawea was jam packed Friday and Saturday with fishermen from all around the Upper Midwest.
They all have one goal in mind – big walleye – lots of them. After a drizzly and bleak week of pre-fishing, some anglers were leery of their chances at the big prize. The weather changed and the sun came out, but brought with it the wind.
Even with the weather challenges, after the first day of weigh-ins at Garrison City Park, the numbers were good and there were many large walleyes hitting the scale. The second day was no different with lots of big fish.
First place overall team was Ricky Schumacher, 30, and Kerry Wentz, 52, from Bismarck, with a total of 41.85 lbs. The same team was this year’s winner of the biggest overall fish with the winning fish weighing 7.76 lbs. and measuring 22.75 inches. Their best luck came in deep water with artificial bait.
“It still doesn’t really feel real,” Schumacher said. “The money is great, but that doesn’t really cross you mind at all, just the fact that you won the Governor’s Cup. There are 251 other team. There are a ton of good fishermen.”
Their team will take in $15,000 in prize money and the trophy from the most prestigious fishing tournament in the state of North Dakota for the first place finish.
They all have one goal in mind – big walleye – lots of them. After a drizzly and bleak week of pre-fishing, some anglers were leery of their chances at the big prize. The weather changed and the sun came out, but brought with it the wind.
Even with the weather challenges, after the first day of weigh-ins at Garrison City Park, the numbers were good and there were many large walleyes hitting the scale. The second day was no different with lots of big fish.
First place overall team was Ricky Schumacher, 30, and Kerry Wentz, 52, from Bismarck, with a total of 41.85 lbs. The same team was this year’s winner of the biggest overall fish with the winning fish weighing 7.76 lbs. and measuring 22.75 inches. Their best luck came in deep water with artificial bait.
“It still doesn’t really feel real,” Schumacher said. “The money is great, but that doesn’t really cross you mind at all, just the fact that you won the Governor’s Cup. There are 251 other team. There are a ton of good fishermen.”
Their team will take in $15,000 in prize money and the trophy from the most prestigious fishing tournament in the state of North Dakota for the first place finish.
