More than 1,100 anglers ascended on Eagle River’s famous Chain of Lakes for the 40th annual National Championship Musky Open last Friday through Sunday.
The overall winner of the open was Brett Strasser of West Allis, who pulled in three muskies totaling 117.5 points; 42.75 inches, 40.25 inches, and 34.5 inches. Meanwhile, the lucky winner of the 2026 Model 895 DC Recon boat with a 115 Mercury outboard motor and trailer was John Luedke out of Jefferson.
Taking top honors in the competition for largest fish caught was Jeremy Falkowski of Wittenberg who landed a 48.5-inch muskie Friday morning at approximately 7:30 a.m. on Lac Vieux Desert.
The event is put on each year in partnership with Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center and the Musky Clubs Alliance of Wisconsin, Inc. It’s billed as the largest amateur muskie tournament in the United States.
It is a total catch and release style tournament, so all fish are returned to the water after photos and measurements are taken.
A total of 1,153 participants took part, registering 148 fish.
Abbey Gatlin, executive director at the chamber, took a moment to praise the chamber staff and volunteers who helped put on the large event.
“We’re so thankful that we had wonderful weather for the 40th year of the event, and couldn’t be happier with the massive turnout for this popular fishing tournament,” she said. “We really couldn’t put on these events without the amazing staff and volunteer help behind the scenes.”
Awards were given out for first- through sixth-places. Strasser took first, followed by Daland Sheahan of Stevens Point, who caught muskies measuring 37.5 inches, and two 35.5 inches for 108.5 total points. Third place was Dan Komorowski of Johnson Creek with two muskies, 44.5 and 39.5 inches for 84 points; fourth place, Ben Klaus of Wauwatosa, 44 and 39 inches for a 83 total points; fifth place, Matt Mielke of Campbellsport, 38.5 and 43.5 inches and 82 total points; and sixth place, Jeff Raley of Ishpeming, Mich., with a 35 and 46 inch muskie for 81 total points.
The event drew 84 husband and wife teams, with Colton Kluth and Jada Martin winning with a total length of 87.5 inches. Fifty-seven youths also competed with top honors going to Laihr Worden of Waupaca with a 35-inch muskie caught Friday at about 9:45 a.m.
Trophies are given for the largest fish per lake family. Those results are as follows: Lake Family One, Zac Zorn out of Oshkosh with a 48.25-inch muskie caught on Kentuck Lake; Lake Family Two, Jason Wenzel, Spencer, 45.5 inches out of Long Lake; Lake Family Three, Jeremy Falkowski (biggest fish winner), 48.5 inches on Lac Vieux Desert; Lake Family Four, Erik Sherfinski, Wausau, 47 inches on Razorback Lake; Lake Family Five, Eric Knudson of Phillips. 45.5 inches on Big Arbor Vitae; Lake Family Six, Colton Kluth of Clintonville, 48.5 inches on Boot Lake; and Lake Family Seven, Casey McCormick of Iron Mountain, Mich., with a 43.5-incher caught on Boulder Lake.
Gatlin thanked all the sponsors who made the event possible, and invites everyone to take part in the 41st event next August.
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