The Second Annual Musky Hunt 2000 was held September 7, 8 & 9 on the Chippewa Flowage. Promoted as a FUN catch and release tournament, 167 musky hunters participated in the event organized by the Lake Chippewa Flowage Resort Assn. The Grand Prize, a 14' Northwoods Boat with a 25 HP Mercury motor and trailer, was generously donated by Lac Courte Oreilles Casino and Convention Center.

All registered participants were eligible for the Grand Prize and the lucky name drawn was Todd Trapp of Eau Claire, WI.

Each entrant received a gift packet including their tournament hat and special offers from Lake Chippewa Flowage Resort Assn. members and coupons from the L.C.O. Casino and Convention Center. Events opened with Fishing Tips Night, hosted by the L.C.O. Casino and Convention Center, serving hot and cold hors d'oeuvres while guides Ron Bergman and Drake Williams shared the latest fishing tips. An informal question and answer period followed, then raffle prizes and door prizes were distributed.

Fishing opened at 8:00 a.m. Thursday morning to storms and showers. Before the weather cleared the first muskie was caught, witnessed and released.

Wade Hamm of Bloomer, WI, released the First Place fish. It was a 45 3/4 Musky, which was also his first legal Musky, caught mid morning on Friday.
About half an hour later his brother Randy Hamm of Cadotte, WI caught and released the second place fish, 45 1/4.

The Third Place fish was reeled in by Jay Weigen of Hayward, WI measured at 42 on the first day of fishing. Weigen was the first place winner in 1999 for the First Annual Musky Hunt. Fourth Place was captured by Ronald Pedrys of Osceola, WI, with a 38 3/4 musky on Thursday about mid day. Fifth, sixth and seventh places were taken by Bob Brekke of Kiel, WI 36, Mark Sikora of Milwaukee, WI 35 and Bob Hammond of Couderay, WI 34 respectively.

Prizes awarded were 1st Place - 15 HP Mercury Outboard, 2nd place - Aqua View Jr. Underwater Camera System, 3rd Place - Shimano Calcutta 400 Musky Reel on a St. Croix IM6 Musky Rod, 4th Place - Shimano Calcutta 400 Musky Reel, 5th, 6th and 7th Places each was an Ambassador 6500C on a St. Croix IM6 Graphite Musky Rod.

Thursday evening hungry musky hunters enjoyed mounds of Klements brats at Treeland Resorts, followed by more prizes. Saturday night festivities included an elegant awards banquet at the L.C.O. Casino and Convention Center with still more door prizes and raffle prizes presented. Over 60 area businesses, including fishing guides, golf courses, resorts, retail shops and more, donated gifts, door prizes and raffle items in addition to the many contributions made by event partners, the L.C.O. Casino & Convention Center and Park Ridge Distributing of Eau Claire, wholesaler of Budweiser products. Each Musky Hunt participant received an average of 3 prizes or more. Good fishing, camaraderie of the fishermen and fun prizes contributed to a hugely successful event. We are looking forward to Musky Hunt 2001, next September 5-8, and we expect to reach our tournament capacity of 200 participants. Said master of ceremonies, Cheryl Treland.