Kim Fundingsland/MDN North Dakota Governor’s Walleye Cup participants come off the water at the Fort Stevenson State Park boat ramp.

GARRISON – Even though the number of entrants has been increased, the field for the North Dakota Governor’s Walleye Cup once again filled as soon as entries were accepted.

“We overfilled on the first day of accepting entries by about 30 teams and already have 46 on the waiting list,” said Joyce Pfliger, Garrison, tournament organizer, a few days after the draw was held.

Prospective entries had to be postmarked no earlier than Jan. 15. The number of two-man teams is eight more than a year ago, expanding from 252 to 260 teams. According to Pfliger the increase is probably as many boats as the tournament committee can handle.

“I’m glad we kept it at 260,” said Pfliger. “Volunteers get to be a problem.”

This year will be the 45th Annual Governor’s Walleye Cup. That so many fishermen want to take part is not surprising. The event has long been the premier fishing tournament held on Lake Sakakawea.

“We had 59 on the waiting list to get in last year,” said Pfliger. “Last year’s winner automatically gets in. We start a random draw with the first postmark dates. This year we started the waiting list right away on January 15th.”

Pfliger credits the North Dakota Game and Fish Department for “doing an excellent job with their fishery” in helping maintain a successful tournament.

“I think fishing on Sakakawea is awesome and more younger people are getting into the fishing aspect,” stated Pfliger. “That’s made a difference.”

Good fishing on Lake Sakakawea can be associated with good water levels. Several year ago when the water level of Sakakawea was very low the walleyes were undersized and the forage base was struggling. As a consequence, entries into the Governor’s Cup took a big dip.

“When the water was down we were struggling to get 200 entries,” recalled Pfliger.

The entry fee for the Governor’s Cup is $300 per team with a first place payout of $15,000. This years tournament is scheduled for July 17-18 at Fort Stevenson State Park with the daily weigh-in at Garrison’s City Park.