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Sheppards win North Dakota Governor’s Walleye Cup

By MDN Sports 1 min read
North Dakota Governor's Walleye Cup 2026 champions Scott Sheppard (right) and Jen Sheppard (left) pose with their winning plaques after their tournament win. Submitted photo from The North Dakota Governor's Walleye Cup.

Minot locals Jen and Scott Sheppard beat out 259 other teams to bring home first place in the 51st Annual North Dakota Governor’s Walleye Cup on Lake Sakakawea in Garrison this past weekend on Friday, July 17 through Saturday, July 18.

The North Dakota Governor’s Walleye Cup is the largest walleye fishing tournament in the region, and last weekend’s tournament featured teams from multiple states competing for the $15,000 grand prize.

Teams competed over the course of two days to try and catch as many qualifying fish as possible, up to eight each day. Each team would take the five heaviest fish each day to add to their total weight for competitive consideration.

The Sheppards took home their first place prizing with their final total of 50.65 pounds of walleye, sauger and saugeye caught over the course of their two days on Lake Sakakawea.

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