Walleye run peaks as tournament nears

NEW LONDON –Water temperatures on the Wolf River hovered just above 50 degrees Fahrenheit on April 15. The Wolf River walleye spawn peaks when water temperatures are between 42 and 50 degrees.
Raising water temperatures and descending water levels favored anglers as they reported sizable catches of “back run” walleye this past weekend from New London to Gills landing. Many of the fish caught were fresh out of the marshes and headed back down river to the lakes from where they came.
River conditions should remain favorable for Friday and Saturday during the 49th Annual New London Fish and Game Club Big Whopper Weekend Fishing contest on April 18-19.

Whopper Weekend changes
The Big Whopper Fishing contest remains at Riverside Park in New London with some changes.

It is a two-day tournament instead of three. Fish registrations occur from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the bait shop located next to the East boat launch.
In previous years, registrations were done at the West boat launch next to the shelter.
Prizes will be awarded for longest walleye, longest bass, longest one-day stringer of walleye and longest two-day stringer of walleye.
Anglers will be given daily door prizes for each registering fish. Raffle tickets for the large $8,000 sportsmen’s raffle will also be sold at the registration site.

Clubhouse is headquarters this year

There will not be a tent and entertainment in the boat landing shelter this year. The large outdoorsmen’s raffle continues and advance tickets are available at Johnny’s Bait and the New London Area Chamber of Commerce office. Tickets are also available at the Club House on the day of the event.
All activities, outside of fish registrations, will be held at the New London Fish & Game Club Clubhouse on Saturday, April 19, from noon to midnight. Food, Beer, and Soda will be served.
Trap and skeet houses will be open and tours of the club’s facilities are available.
The clubhouse is located at N5433 Old Hwy 45, New London.
The raffle drawing takes place at 7 p.m.
There are 46 prizes valued over $8,000 this year. Prizes include 11 firearms and 35 other prizes covering fishing, archery, turkey hunting, camping and nature viewing. All prizes can be exchanged for in store credit at Scheels Sporting goods.
Proceeds from the raffle support New London area community projects, scholarships, youth sports, club youth programs and outdoor organizations such as Walleyes for Tomorrow and the Wolf River Preservation Association.