Anglers are dealing with the heat by staying near the water this weekend and by hitting the annual Battle on Bago fishing tournament. The popular fishing tournament raises money to support youth and conservation efforts throughout the Lake Winnebago system and this year they're talking about breaking national records.
We all know the winter Battle on Bago fishing tourney draws the crowds, but when organizers announced they expected 326 teams to show up for this summer’s tourney, they also announced it's likely the largest tournament of its kind in the whole country.
Temps were in the 80's in Oshkosh today for the kick off to the Battle on Bago. Not bad weather for a day on the lake, but it was hot out there.
"It's not as busy as the winter one but at least the weather is a lot nicer and there's no ice," jokes Glenn Curran an organizer with Battle on Bago.
"Could use a little breeze today, it was a little hot but other than that it was nice out there," adds Kyle Dewitz of North Fond du Lac who got into today’s tournament with his dad.
Hundreds of anglers are looking for walleye today despite the bite not being terribly active. But the Lake Winnebago system is known for producing according to those in the know.
"It's a walleye factory up here," adds Curran.
This event has become the largest fishing tournament of its kind in the country but it almost wasn’t so. A few years’ back numbers were down and sponsors were fleeting until Battle on Bago and the Otter Street Fishing Club joined forces.
"It's now run by anglers for the anglers. We know what they want," says Jim Erdman of the Otter Street Fishing Club.
Four years ago when the Otter Street Fishing Club and Battle on Bago organizers teamed up the numbers started to grow again and so did interest.
"I didn't want to see this event slip away it was a really big thing for a lot of families," adds Erdman.
They managed to bring this event to a whole new level, which means the community of anglers benefits the most.
"The net proceeds from this event will probably be around 35-thousand dollars and Otter Street and Battle on Bago will roll that into a partnership with the DNR, other conservation projects, and kid’s fisheries that we have throughout the summer," says Curran.
"We've either paid for or donated to every boat landing and every (public access) dock. Including the one we're standing on and tied up to here today in Oshkosh," adds Erdman.
Last year about 17-hundred Walleye were brought into shore to be weighed in during this tourney. A couple of those fish tipping the scale at over 7 pounds each. But with the bite a bit slower so far this year organizers say they expect less than that this weekend. But rest assured all the proceeds raised will go right back into the fishing community.
120-thousand dollars worth of prizes will be given away tomorrow when organizers announce the Battle on Bago champs. There’s also food and live music with all of that happening around 5pm Sunday.
