The Phelps Chamber of Commerce has announced that Bill White of Ringle is the winner of the 46th annual Midwest Musky Classic Tournament.

White caught a 48.75-inch muskie on Lac Vieux Desert on the third and final day of the tournament hosted by The Phelps Chamber of Commerce. The Midwest Musky Classic has historically taken place on Big Sand Lake, Lac Vieux Desert, and North and South Twin lakes. This year, Long Lake and Kentuck were also added to the tournament.

The tournament drew a record 217 anglers from across the Midwest and nationwide, including 52 first-time anglers in the tournament, surpassing last year’s record turnout by an additional 10%.

Laura Richart, executive director of the Phelps Chamber of Commerce, commented that she was “blown away by this year’s registration numbers, as well as the amount of muskies caught.”

“The Midwest Musky Classic has almost doubled in size over the last decade and it’s great to see the growth and the impact on the community and our businesses,” Reichart said. “We’ve brought lots of new fishing enthusiasts to Phelps, and that’s what it is all about.”

The anglers concluded the weekend with an awards lunch at the banquet hall at the new Phelps Community Center after fishing, with food catered by Sunrise Lodge and lots of great raffle prizes donated from local businesses.

“What makes this tournament so special is the return participants that come year after year,” Reichart said. “Groups of friends and multi-generation families that make it an annual tradition. The camaraderie and the spirit of the anglers is truly unmatched, and it is such a unique thing to be a part of. This event is also great for Phelps’ businesses with almost all participants coming from out of town, filling our lodging and patronizing our businesses all weekend.”

Taking honors

Twenty-four muskies were caught during the tournament, more than twice as many as the previous year. Of that total, 18 were caught on Lac Vieux Desert, three on Kentuck Lake, two on Big Sand Lake, and one on North Twin Lake.

Bill White won first place overall and the Sunday Big Fish of the Day award with his 48.75- inch muskie caught on Lac Vieux Desert. His total winnings were $2,285 — $1,200 for first place and $1,085 for Sunday Big Fish of the Day, and a replica of his winning fish that will be presented at next year’s tournament.

This year’s second place winner, taking home $1,000 for second place plus $1,085 for Saturday’s Big Fish of the Day, was Doug Meidl with a 48.25-inch muskie caught on Lac Vieux Desert. The third place winner taking home $800 plus $1,085 for Friday’s Big Fish of the Day was Wade Sebald with a 47.75-inch muskie caught on Lac Vieux Desert. And this year a fourth-place prize was added, with $300 going to Hunter Lester with a 47.75-inch muskie caught on Lac Vieux Desert, later in the tournament than the same size fish that won third place.

Last year’s winner, Chuck Abitz, also was presented his mount of his winning fish.

“Congrats to all anglers who caught fish,” Reichart said. “It is always an impressive feat.”

Anglers should mark their calendars for next year’s Midwest Musky Classic on Oct. 1-3, 2027. Visit phelpswi.com for more information.

Full results

All successful catches of the tournament included: Bill White (48.75 inches, Lac Vieux Desert), Doug Meidl (48.25 inches, Lac Vieux Desert), Wade Sebald (47.75 inches, Lac Vieux Desert), Hunter Lester (47.75 inches, Lac Vieux Desert), Alan Van Mun (46.25 inches, Lac Vieux Desert), Curt Schicker (46 inches, Lac Vieux Desert), Steve Milz (43.75 inches, North Twin Lake), Jeff Marciniak (43.25 inches, Lac Vieux Desert), Michael Sorenson (43 inches, Lac Vieux Desert), Bill Janz (42.25 inches, Kentuck Lake), Michael Cloninger (42.25 inches, Lac Vieux Desert), Corey Kopke (42.25 inches, Big Sand Lake), Patrick Gorecki (42 inches, Lac Vieux Desert), Travis Teichmiller (41 inches, Big Sand Lake), Ryan Ferge (41 inches, Lac Vieux Desert), Mike Handschke (40.75 inches, Lac Vieux Desert), Nate Killian (39.75 inches, Lac Vieux Desert), James Yach (39.5 inches, Kentuck Lake), Lauren Billman (39 inches, Lac Vieux Desert), Chuck Abitz (38.75 inches, Lac Vieux Desert), Chris Hammen (38.5 inches, Kentuck Lake), Terry Ederer (38 inches, Lac Vieux Desert), Eric Klawitter (37.75 inches, Lac Vieux Desert), and Mike Lester (36.75 inches, Lac Vieux Desert).