The first tournament of the Kickerfish version of the Prairie Walleye Classic was a success. The long-time annual fishing competition on Lake of the Prairies returned with a new hybrid scoring format combining catch, photo, release with traditional live weigh-in. Seventy-four teams of two competed over two days to crown the 2025 tournament champions.
Thursday evening saw the much-beloved Russell Lions Boat Parade take place down Main Street Russell, MB. Over 50 boats took part in the parade throwing candy, freezies, and prizes to either side of the street that were lined with hundreds of excited kids and kids at heart.
The Russell Multiplex hosted the Tournament Headquarters for the first time. The stage looked great with two Lund boats provided by Virden Recreation on display on either side. Hats off to all of the anglers who supported our fundraising for the Russell Youth Fishing Club by buying a burger combo, participating in the deck of cards draw for a Bait Boyz Tackle donated custom rod, and entering the raffle for a generator.
The first of three flights took off down a glass calm Lake of the Prairies on Day 1 Friday morning with subsequent flights taking off in half-hour intervals after. The trademark shotgun start of this tournament is always a sight to see. Armed with serial numbered Judge rulers and Day 1 fish tags that were provided at boat inspection, the teams set out in search of scoring their best two walleye over 55cm (21.75″) via CPR and bringing back three under 45cm (17.75″) slots for live weigh-in.
An incredible seven Manitoba Master Angler sized walleye were caught on Day 1 including two of them by Team 11 – Mick Twardoski and Tanner Burman who ended the first day of competition in top spot. Their 30.50″ monster was awarded Day 1 Big Fish as their second one measuring 28″ was the tiebreaker. Team 3 – Branko and Dario Mamula also scored a giant 30.50″ but their second over came in at 25″. There were one hundred-three over 55cm walleye scored via CPR on Day 1 not including the ones that were culled out by CPR Weighmaster Divine Labaupa and Assistant Val Dotoli.
Teams had no issue catching under slot fish with every team bringing fish to the scale at the end of each day. Scale Weighmaster Mike Dotoli and Assistant Brent Kempthorne were super efficient in breezing through all three flights of teams. The average weight of the slots were down this year with 1.50lb 16-17inchers making up the majority of everyone’s baskets. The Top Slot Bag Mike Twardoski Memorial Award went to Team 72 – Ric Wieler and Mikael Lauzier who scored 7.51lbs for five fish on Day 2.
Day 2 saw even more Master Anglers scored with a whopping ten of them getting sent in. Big Fish on the second day was awarded to Team 3 – Branko and Dario Mamula who caught a 31″ kickerfish to go with a 30.50″ partner to boot. There were ninety-six overs scored altogether too which was on par with the first day’s total despite most anglers saying that the fishing was actually harder on the Saturday.
Only three teams that were in the Top 10 after Day 1 stuck in the Top 10 at the end of the tournament. The new format with overs makes it possible to climb the ranks with a great second day score. The final standings were very tight with some placings being separated by fractions of a pound. Second place Team 7 – Darren and Cooper Ziprick edged out fellow Kickerfish Northern Manitoba Walleye Championship alumni Team 50 – Wayne Landers and Mark Caddy by .10 lbs to land them in 3rd.
The winning father-son team of Branko and Dario Mamula had an early Father’s Day celebration on the stage when they held up the Trophy and top prize cheque for $17,500. Their total weight of 51.51 lbs was anchored by a trio of Lake of the Prairies 30 inchers. They almost didn’t get to score their Day 2 weight though after hitting a rock mid-way through the day. The long trek back on their kicker motor ended up taking them 2.5 hours, but they made it to check-in before their 4pm end time.
Congratulations to all of the teams who finished in the Top 10 cash prizes and those who won one of the sixteen Other Prize Categories. The tournament prized out $41,750 in cash and over $5000 in prizes to the winning teams. Final standings and prize payout list can be viewed here.
Thank you Al Marshall for the photos! Flickr link will be posted here soon to see more photos and download any you may want.
