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Musky tournament attracts over 1,000 anglers in Eagle River

 Aug 19th, 2024 by Chris Munchow 

Modified Aug 19th, 2024 at 3:16 PM

Morgan Johnson-WJFW.com  8-19-24

EAGLE RIVER, Wis. – Hundreds of anglers participated in the 38th Annual National Championship Musky Open in Eagle River.

A total of 1,129 musky anglers from 16 different states fished in the tournament.

This is the largest amateur musky tournament in the country and is hosted on the seven lake families in Eagle River.

Anglers must release the fish back into the lake.

162 muskies were caught and released during the tournament.

Cindy Wilson of Reedsburg caught the largest fish of the tournament on Friday, which was 51.5 inches.

A replica fish will be created by Fittante Taxidermy in Antigo.

As the largest fish of the tournament, a replica fish will be created by Fittante Taxidermy of Antigo, WI.

This replica will be presented to Adam at next year’s tournament.

The winner of the tournament was Forrest Grassel of Seymour who caught four muskies: 45”, 36”, 36.5”, and 37” for a total of 144 inches. He also won the youth division of the tournament.

The winners of the Husband/Wife Team were Pete and Jamie Halbach of Hilbert, WI with three fish: 34”, 34” and 39.5”.