Winners named in Angler contest

by Nick WognumThe 2004 North Country Angler fishing contest wrapped up this week with prizes handed out for Section Three winners and the grand prize. The top prize winner is chosen from all entries received, including Catch and Release entries turned in throughout the season.The grand prize winner of a trip for two to Zup’s Lac La Croix for three days, two nights was Tom Poderzay of Soudan, who caught an 11 lb. 3 oz. walleye and registered it at Vermilion Fuel and Food. Congratulations to all those who entered the contest this year!The Section Three winners were:Walleye: 12 lb. caught in Farm Lake by Tim Steuck of Dassel, MN and entered at Timber Trail Lodge.Northern: 10 lb. caught in Fall Lake by Nicole Johnson of Canton, MN and registered at Voyageur North Outfitters.Bass: 5 lb. 4 oz. caught in Moose Lake by Fred Floura of Duluth, MN, entered at Skube’s Bait and Tackle.Lake Trout: 8 lb. 2 oz. caught in Snowbank Lake by Ken Holub of Oak Forest, IL and registered at Jackpine Lodge.With the end of the North Country Angler contest, the start of fall fishing is well underway. Anglers reported finding nice sized walleyes in Shagawa Lake while jigging with minnows in 24 feet of water. The week before the hot action was in four to seven feet.As we’ve said before, successful anglers are the ones who are willing to try different depths and presentations to find fish.Fall is also a hot time for trout fishing, specifically for brook, splake and rainbow trout.Every year around the middle to the end of October, the put-and-take trout in stocked lakes turn on at the end of the stream trout season which will fall on Halloween, October 31.Lake trout season ends on Sept. 30 while other game fish continue through to Feb. 20. Plenty of guys will put their fishing poles away this time of year but there are others who will grab a shotgun in one hand and fishing pole in the other, in search of the elusive surf and turf outdoor experience.The North Country Angler fishing contest will be back next summer, providing anglers with the inside info on the where and how fish are being caught in the Ely area. We thank all the advertisers for their participation!