Devils Lake was as kind as an angel on day one of the Outdoor Channel/Berkley Pro-Am.  Compared to five straight days of 25-plus winds, calm conditions greeted the In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail anglers.

            The fish cooperated willingly, with 30 to 50 fish being caught by many of the pro-am partnerships in this Regional series tournament presented by MotorGuide.  Leading after Wednesday’s competition is rookie pro Keith Carlson, Goodhue, Minn., and amateur Dallas Marchus, Fessenden, ND.  Their five walleyes weighed 32.8 pounds. 

            Two other rookie pros finished second and third.  Jason Feldner, Minnewaukan, ND, from the west shore of Devils Lake scored 28 pounds, while Brian Bjorkman, Fargo, ND weighed 27 pounds.  Veteran pro Dave Anderson,
Apple Valley, Minn., was fourth with 26 pounds. 

            The Coleman Big Fish on day one was recorded by rookie pro Doug Coley, McHenry, Ill., and amateur John Grahek, Jr., Grand Forks, ND.  Their walleye pushed the needle to 8.09 pounds.  Several 7-plus pound walleyes came to net.

            Anglers fished shallow patterns for the most part, with slip bobbers in six feet or less of water.  They cast crankbaits shallow over emerging weeds and near standing timber and shorelines.  Some trolled with leadcore and crankbaits over submerged roadbeds.  Some used PowerBait on weedless jigs.  Others jigged with live bait.  All but 10 boats caught limits. 

            Days two and three, Thursday and Friday, May 25 and 26, start at 7 a.m., with weigh-ins at 3 p.m. daily.  All activities take place at Graham’s Island State Park, west of the city of Devils Lake.  In addition to watching fish and meeting the world’s top pro anglers; visitors have the opportunity to see some very interesting song and shore birds.  Additionally, the Berkley Experience “tent” is set-up to showcase products and fishing.  Several other exhibits and company spokesmen are ready for walleye fans.  

            After Friday’s weigh-in, the pros describe what they did and where, which will help local anglers with future fishing.  At the awards ceremony, the winner will collect a first prize of more than $50,000, which includes a Lund/Mercury walleye boat. 

            The PWT is an integral element of the In-Fisherman Communications Network headquartered in Brainerd, Minnesota, and PRIMEDIA, America's leading producer of targeted media. PWT promotional partners include: Mercury Marine, Lund, The Outdoor Channel, Berkley, Optima Batteries, Realtree, MotorGuide, Lowrance, MinnKota, Trilene, Frenzy, Blue Fox, Powerbait, Johnsonville Brats, Northland Fishing Tackle, Lindy Legendary Fishing Tackle, GULP!, Coleman, Storm, Tommy Docks, Smooth Moves Seat Mounts,  E-Village, Kwik Pfyt, Raymarine, Rapala, Pflueger, Ram rod holders, Gerbing’s Heated Clothing, Aqua-Vu,  Plano, Stowmaster.net, Navionics, Yellow Bird, Beckman, Drift Control, Gemini Sport Marketing, Yo-Zuri and Reef Runner. The PWT is an integral element of the In-Fisherman Communications Network headquartered in Brainerd, Minnesota, and PRIMEDIA, America's leading producer of targeted media and Devils Lake Chamber of Commerce, 701-662-4903