Chamber announces 2016 Fishing Hot Spots Hodag Musky Challenge Winners      

Pictured from left to right: First Place ­ Eric Dombeck and Nelson Eisele, Second Place ­ Andy Smits and Chad Nelson,  Third Place ­ Mark Lijewski and Jeff Piazza    The Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce is happy to announce winners from the 2016  edition of the Fishing Hot Spots Hodag Musky Challenge held on five lake groups in the  Rhinelander area September 23­25, 2016.  90 teams competed for a chance at $16,400 in cash  payouts. Winners from this weekend’s Challenge include:    

1st Place: Nelson Eisele and Eric Dombeck from Rhinelander, WI ­ fishing on Boom Lake​   and the Wisconsin River  

2nd Place: Andy Smits and Chad Nelson from Gillet, WI ­ fishing on Lake Thompson, Lake​   George and Lake Julia  

3rd Place: Mark Lijewski and Jeff Piazza from Minocqua, WI ­ fishing on Crescent Lake,​   Oneida Lake and Hancock Lake 

4th Place: Derek Bartz and Travis Bartz from Tomahawk, WI ­ fishing on Crescent Lake,​   Oneida Lake and Hancock Lake 

5th Place: Jason Mollen and Austin Clark from Rhinelander, WI ­ fishing on Crescent Lake,​   Oneida Lake and Hancock Lake  

6th Place: Shane Loveland and Robert Matarelli from Hayward, WI ­ fishing on the Moen​ Chain  

7th Place: Rich Hirman and Kyle Froehlich from Rhinelander, WI ­ fishing on the Moen​ Chain  

8th Place: ​Keven Schumacher and John Watson from Rhinelander, WI ­ fishing on Boom Lake and the Wisconsin River   

9th Place: Peter Kaprelian and Pete Hesse from Kenosha, WI ­ fishing on the Moen Chain​   

10th Place: Justin Harris and Joe Buffington from Menasha, WI ­ fishing on Crescent Lake,​ Oneida Lake and Hancock Lake  

Largest Musky Caught on Saturday: Derek & Travis Bartz caught a 46 ½” musky on Oneida​ Lake  

Largest Musky Caught on Sunday: Kent Stadler and Doug Bloch from Ringle, WI caught a​   44 ¼” musky on Oneida Lake  

Largest Northern Pike Caught for the Weekend: Mark Lijewski and Jeff Piazza caught a 37​  ½ inch Northern Pike on Crescent Lake.   

 51 muskies were successfully caught and released by 34 different teams over the course of the  weekend.  Fish were measured and registered by a team of volunteer judges that staffed boats  on all five lake groups in the Rhinelander area.    The Fishing Hot Spots Hodag Musky Challenge would also not be possible without the support  of local area business sponsors. The Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce sends heartfelt  thank yous to Fishing Hot Spots, Shoeder’s RV & Marine, and the Musky Shop, as well as the  many businesses and donors for the Challenge’s raffle prizes.    Those seeking more information about this year’s event or for next year’s Fishing Hot Spots  Hodag Musky Challenge should contact the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce at (715)  365­7464.