The Phelps Chamber of Commerce hosted the 39th Annual Midwest Musky Classic this past weekend. The tournament drew 134 fishermen from all over Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois. The tournament featured Lac Vieux Desert, North and South Twin and Big Sand Lakes. The winner of the 3 day tournament was, Terry Ederer from Kaukauna catching a 49 1/2” musky on Lac Vieux Desert. Ederer won $1200 and will receive a replica of the winning fish from Lax Reproductions. Kyle Yanke from Saukville took second place with a 48” musky caught on Big Sand Lake and received $800. While third place was Matt Clark from Merrill with a 47 ¼” musky caught on Big Sand Lake and received $700.
Yanke, the second place winner, said that the musky he caught on Friday was the first musky he had ever caught. This was also his first year fishing the Midwest Musky Classic. Ederer and his family have been fishing the Midwest Musky Classic for many years.
Last year’s winner Katie Praedel of Milwaukee was presented her replica of her winning fish at the awards luncheon held on Sunday afternoon. Big Fish of the day prizes were awarded for each day as well with the Big Fish of the day award being $670 each day. Terry Ederer won Friday’s Big Fish of the day with his 49 ½” Tiger Musky caught on Lac Vieux Desert. Jeff Schumacher won Saturday’s Big Fish of the day with his 46 5/8” musky caught on Lac Vieux Desert. Sunday’s Big Fish winner was Ken Ederer with a 47 ¼” musky caught on Lac Vieux Desert. There were a total of 15 musky caught over the 3 days of tournament fishing.
There were 23 new anglers participating in this tournament with John Reynders winning the new angler raffle. Ryan Franke won the Hook-A-Buddy Raffle. He hooked four new anglers to fish the tournament. A new angler is anyone that hasn’t participated in the Midwest Musky Classic in previous years.
There were also raffles for a variety of prizes donated from many generous sponsors. Lunch was provided by Sunrise Lodge.
There are many families that have made the Midwest Musky Classic a tradition with multiple generations fishing the tournament. The tradition will continue next year as planning begins for the 40th annual Midwest Musky Classic to be held October 2nd, 3rd and 4th , 2020.
All catches listed here:
Kyle Yanke 48" Big Sand
Kyle Henke 46" Big Sand
Terry Ederer 49.5" LVD
Mark Hungerford 42.75" LVD
Travis Huss 39.5" LVD
Matt Clark 47.25" Big Sand
Dean Vander Wielen 41" LVD
Kevin Brinkman 46" LVD
Dave Olson 40.25" Big Sand
Don Grant 42" LVD
Kurt Vander Wielen 45.75" LVD
Jeff Schumacher 46.625" LVD
Ken Ederer 47.25" LVD
Randy Van Asten 46.25 LVD
John Reynders 36.25" LVD