Walleye Weekend a success after rainy start

A few boats could be seen bobbing among the waves early Saturday morning on the Iowa Great Lakes, but few anglers chose to try their luck during the early morning rains. The sun rose behind rain clouds just hours after the 41st annual Walleye Weekend fishing tournament officially began. The Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce said nearly 2,000 people from about 15 different states to put their hooks in the water and try to snag one of the 10 specially tagged walleye — and a chance at $41,000, during the 2023 tournament. To the joy of fishing enthusiasts — and perhaps to the dismay of the local walleye population — patches of blue sky opened up over West Lake Okoboji by about 7 a.m. Saturday, and the rains were largely no trouble into the afternoon as boaters headed out and others cast from area docks or shore. Chamber officials announced one of the tagged walleye was caught Sunday night — the lucky angler was signed up for the tournament's extended contest, earning a percentage of the contest fees. The 2023 tournament marked the second year in which tournament funds will be put toward local grants for projects related to fishing and water quality. The chamber closed the application window Friday, May 5 and is expected to announce this year's grant recipients in the near future. (Photos by Seth Boyes)