The 2014 Border Walleye Challenge was another huge success as over 30 of the 94 teams brought a 6 fish limit to the scales. With water temps in the mid 50’s most anglers worked the spawning patterns fishing the walleyes in 1-6 foot of water with a jig and minnow and caught primarily the male fish on the north half Big Stone Lake. However, this years tournament winners Guy Dittel and Travis Sherod of Ortonville, MN used not only the shallow water techniques to get their tournament winning fish, they also trolled firetiger colored shad raps on the far north end of the lake in the dirty 58 degree water to get their 18.64 pounds for 6 fish and their 7.34 lb big fish and were crowned the 2014 Border Walleye Challenge champions! As weather has been a challenge in the BWC in many of the past years, this year the anglers fished 20-30mph southeast winds as the temps rolled into the mid 50’s. Coming off a few calm days, many anglers commented that the winds had turned the bite on. A total of 261 walleyes averaging 1.8 pounds were caught and every single fish was released alive! The largest fish of the tournament at 8.41 pounds was caught by team Issac and Todd Pauly of Arlington, MN and Omaha, SD. In the border battle of the states between Minnesota and South Dakota, Minnesota was this years winner as they had more contestants in the top 15. The Border Walleye Challenge would like to thank its sponsors Doug’s Anchor Marine, Skeeter Boats, Reef Runner Lures, St. Croix Rods, Navionics, Pizza Hut, Ortonville Liquor Store, Matador Supper Club, Minnesota Tournament Trail, Big Stone Lake area Chamber of Commerce and Artie’s Bait & Tackle. The 8th annual Border Walleye Challenge tournament will be held April 25, 2015 next year.
Posted by Artie Arndt 
