Brainerd duo wins 1st R&J Lakes Area HS Fishing Challenge; C-I’s Prekker reels in Biggest Fish

By Paul Vold kkin@rjbroadcasting.com (7/18/22)

(Onamia, MN) — Crystal clear waters and sunny sky accompanied 26 high school fishing teams for the 1st ever R&J Lakes Area High School Fishing Challenge on Mille Lacs Lake at Eddy’s Resort this past Saturday. 

Teams launched at 7am with two students fishing for 3 bass each, and boat captains able to bring in 2 bass, with a chance to win trophies and prizes. Teams competing at the Challenge included representatives from Aitkin, Crosby-Ironton, Brainerd, and Pillager.

The 1st R&J Broadcasting Lakes Area Fishing Challenge Traveling Trophy winners were Hunter Athnos and Deacon Sawyer of Brainerd, accompanied by boat captain Robbie Sawyer.

Students also competed for the Biggest Fish Trophy, which went to Seth Prekker of Crosby-Ironton, competing in his first competition of the season.

Boat captain Terry Swanberg of Pillager won an overnight stay at Eddy’s Resort for catching the biggest fish and Jordan Moss of Aitkin won a brand new rod, donated by Oars N Mine Bait Shop of Crosby, for the most weight of his two caught fish.

Special thanks goes out to Your Boat Club and Eddy’s Resort on Mille Lacs for hosting the event. Thanks also goes out to Dan Borseth, Perry Alfords, all coaches, student athletes, and parents that attended on Saturday. Thanks also goes out to Oars N Mine Bait Shop for providing their time and assistance with weighing fish and calculations for winners.