S.D. Angler Leading Leech Walleye Tourny

Kevin Merrill of Pierre, S.D., and co-angler Matt Hiller of Grand Rapids, Mich., landed five walleyes weighing 16 pounds, 5 ounces Wednesday to lead day one of the FLW Walleye Tour Championship on Leech Lake.

The pair now holds a 2-pound, 4-ounce lead over their closest rivals in the championship featuring 40 pros and 40 co-anglers representing 12 states and Canada fishing for top awards of up to $40,000 in the Pro Division and $12,000 in the Co-angler Division.

Overall there were 140 fish weighing 260 pounds, 1 ounce caught by 38 boats Wednesday. The catch included 17 five-fish limits.

Anglers will take off from Walker City Park located on Minnesota Ave. in Walker at 7:30 each morning.

T0day’s weigh-in will also be held at the marina beginning at 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday’s weigh-ins will be held at the Northern Lights Casino, host of the championship beginning at 4 p.m.