Local 12 News – Coverage of the 35th Annual National Championship Musky Open

October 2, 2021|Gregg Thomas||Featured Articles, General

Story By Kyle Pozorski
Local News Published 08/23/2021 7:30AM, Last Updated 08/23/2021 6:14PM

Eagle River – The 35th annual National Championship Musky Open took place over the weekend on seven lake families in the Eagle River area. The tournament is a total catch-and-release competition and was open to anyone 8 years and older. In total, 1,279 musky anglers participated, representing 18 states. Event organizers say that while attendance was down for this year, participants were excited to get back out to catch the big one.

Musky Clubs Alliance of Wisconsin President Larry Slagoski said, “They are excited because this is our 35th year and this is year I think we got 1,270-something people, and that’s a lot of people to come out for a fishing tournament.”

Slagoski says that fishing in general is fun but musky fishing can be addictive to those who reel them in.

“People ask me, why do you fish that musky? I say, don’t ever catch one, because if you do it gets in your blood and you gotta go back and get another one.”

The overall winner of the musky open was Trevor Byrnes from Neenah, who caught four muskies with a combined length of 151.75 inches.