Prizes awarded for big fish caught in walleye tourney

Big fish winners gather outside the AMA Sportsmen Association early Saturday afternoon as part of the wrap-up party for this year’s walleye tournament.

The AMA Sportsmen Association concluded its annual walleye tournament over the weekend and hundreds came out for the wrap-up party.

The 2025 edition of the walleye tournament finished Sunday afternoon with the awarding of prizes and party at the Lowes Side Road club. 

Pat Pettypiece, chair of the fishing committee, said things went well.

“We had 1,000 tickets sold,” he said. 

Vehicles packed the club’s parking lot and spilled out onto the shoulders of the roadway.

“It’s a good day,” said Pettypiece. A lot of big fish were brought in this year.”

The walleye tournament draws in many people from Amherstburg, but also brings in people from surrounding Essex County municipalities as well, Pettypiece added.

Pettypiece said there is “100 per cent payback” from the tournament.

“We don’t keep a cent,” he said. “We make our money off of the food and beverages.”

Those who caught the biggest fish were recognized, as well as the largest fish caught in a day. Pettypiece said they definitely want to thank all of the sponsors, participants and volunteers who helped out during the tournament.

Winners included:

LONGEST WALLEYE

1st – Victor Viera (31”)

2nd – Jay Ford (30”)

3rd – Brian Gardin (29 ¼”)

LADIES LONGEST WALLEYE

1st – Jocelyne Gardin (27 1/8”)

LONGEST YOUTH WALLEYE

1st – Luke Truman (27 5/8”)

LONGEST SHEEPHEAD

1st – Brandon Sasseville (30 ¾”)

LONGEST CATFISH

1st – Larry Truman (34 5/8”)

LONGEST PERCH

1st – Nash Garant (13”)

2nd – Robin Stone (11 ½”)

3rd – Tim Berthiaume (10 1/8”)

LONGEST SMALL MOUTH BASS

1st – Scott Bailey (20 ¼”)

2nd – Collin Hedges (18”)

3rd – Paul Buratto (18”)

DAILY WINNERS

June 20 – James Miller Jr. (27 5/8”)    June 21 – Scott Bezaire (28 ¼”)

June 22 – Mike Lenson (28 ¾”)

June 23 – Dave Pettypiece (28 ¾”)

June 24 – John Orosz (25 7/8”)

June 25 – Chris Wigle (27 5/8”)

June 26 – Stan Beneteau (28 ½”)

June 27 – Scott Allen (28 5/8”)

June 28 – Tony Carreira (29 1/8”)

 40 EXTRA

Trevor Gelinas (28 5/8”), Rick Lawrence (28 ¼”), Tyler Manner (28”), Paul Marontate (28”), Tom Santos (28”), Miguel (28”), Jordan Hebblethwaite (27 5/8”), Matt Roy (27 ½”), Stella Truman (27 ½), Bob Talbot (27 ½”), Al Stropkovics (27 3/8”), Kingston Gardin (27 3/8”), Steve Reaume (27”), Larry B. (27”), Mike Boussey (26 7/8”), Steph Truman (26 5/8”), Dan Stropkovics (26 5/8”), Bill Gee (26 5/8”), Don Kennedy (26 ½”), Chad Boyle (26 ½”), Tom Butler (26 ½”), Joe Michaud (26 ½”), Hailey Hedges (26 ½”), Kristine Miller (26 ½”), Hudson Hardy (26 3/8”), Ron Lenson (26 ¼”), Brian Quimby (26 ¼”), Lee Cox (26 ¼”), Russ Deslippe (26 1/8”), Girard S. (26”), Paul Rocheleau (26”), Dave Uras (26”), Robin Stone (26”), Robert Pillon (26”), Don Abbott (26”), Marlon Bondy (25 ¾”), Ray Fisher (25 ¾”), Joseph Bacha (25 3/4”) and Amanda Fryer (25 5/8”).

The winner of the $5,000 prize was Larry Mulder, Tracy Cooper won the $3,000 prize, and Christoper Gatti won the $2,000 raffle prize.

Prizes awarded for big fish caught in walleye tourney

By Ron Giofu