Badger State Kayak Championship

09/16/2025

🏆 2025 Badger State Kayak Championship Recap 🛶

The 2025 Badger State Kayak Championship is in the books, and what a weekend it was! Anglers faced fairly decent conditions for early fall in the northwoods. Day 2 did see water temps fall fairly dramatically though and there was plenty of competition.

🎣 Top Finishers
🥇 Jordan Hoeppner – 171.25″ total, had big bag day one and did just enough to bring home the crown day 2!

🥈 Sean Fletcher – 164.25″ total, fished the most consistently of the top 3 from day-to-day

🥉 Adrian Yoder– 163.50″ total; had a slower day on day 1, but stormed back with a big bag day 2 including the overall big bass of the event at 20.25” (and I hear 6lbs)

🐟Day 1 Big Bass – Steve Hickman with a 19.25” smallmouth.

🗑️Trash pot – Colin Heathman with a ~30” muskellunge

🙌 Thank you to every angler who competed, to the volunteers who made it run smoothly, and to everyone who supports this growing community. Events like this wouldn’t happen without your dedication.

🔭 Looking Ahead: The 2026 Season will be on us before we know it. Thanks again to everyone, look forward to seeing you next year

📸 Drop your photos, stories, and favorite memories in the comments — let’s relive another great championship together!

09/14/2025

Championship payouts are as follows:

17 anglers

1st place-$796
2nd place-$405
3rd place-$246
Overall big bass-$114
Day 1 or 2 big bass-$56
Trash pot-$35

09/13/2025

Post your fish for the Championship trash pot here

07/02/2025

🎣 June Recap – Badger State Kayak Series

June’s event brought shifting conditions across Wisconsin, with many anglers navigating the post-spawn funk — but those who chased the late northern spawn found the right bite to climb the leaderboard.

🥇 Jordan Westerman led the way with 105.00 inches, anchored by a 21.50" smallmouth that also took Big Bass of the Month honors.

🥈 Jason Klose worked his way into 2nd with a solid 99.00 inches, followed closely by
🥉 Josh Luterbach, who rounded out the podium with 98.25 inches.

Anglers who made the trip north or targeted spawning fish in cooler waters were rewarded, while others ground out tough bites elsewhere in the state.

Another tight month of competition is in the books — bring on July! 💥

06/22/2025

🎣 Badger State Kayak Championships – Wolf & Fox Rivers – June 21, 2025 🎣

The heat was on—literally and figuratively! 🔥💨
Anglers from across the state hit the Wolf and Fox Rivers for the latest stop in the Badger State Kayak Championships, and the conditions made it a true test of endurance and strategy.

🌡️ Temps soared and the wind howled, making boat control and hydration just as important as lure selection. Despite the challenges, these rivers still produced, and many anglers managed to grind out strong limits through current seams, shaded structure, and wind-blown shorelines.

🐟 Whether you were chasing smallmouth upriver or working eddies for largies, the bite was tough but rewarding—and the competition stayed tight all day long.

🏆 A huge shoutout to every angler who pushed through the heat and wind to compete—this one was about grit, heart, and adaptability. You made it happen!

🙏 Many thanks to everyone who came out, battled the current, wind, and heat, and brought their A-game to the Wolf and Fox. You make this event unforgettable every year!

🏆 Top Finishers:
🥇 Aiko Vang – 93"
🥈 Giovanni Schmitt – 88"
🥉 Jordan Westerman – 81.00"
4th - Hernan Santiesteban

🐟 Big Bass:
Jordan Westerman – 20.25" Smallmouth

📊 Check out full standings on TourneyX: https://live.tourneyx.com/?id=24172

06/21/2025

News, notes, and payouts

1) Please, please, please be safe tomorrow and stay off the bigger lakes. It doesn't take much to get them rocking and I'd rather not have to use your emergency contact tomorrow afternoon.

2) In lieu of the weather situation and in the interest of getting anglers into areas they can fish safely, several launches have been added throughout the day today and should be reflected on the launches and boundaries map. The most launches were added in the areas of Pumpkinseed Creek and Willow Creek on the SW side of Poygan.

3) Our final sign-up number was 37. We do have some money that gets taken out for Stripe fees, TourneyX fees, and for the trophies from Ketch...which are nice, but we pay for what we get. Payouts are as follows:

1st - $1717
2nd - $874
3rd - $531
4th - $100
Big Bass - $185

See everyone tomorrow! Stay safe and hydrate!

Send a message to learn more

06/01/2025

May Recap: Badger State Kayak Championship Monthly Showdown

The May edition of the Badger State Kayak Championship monthly tournament delivered a nail-biter finish as some of Wisconsin’s top kayak anglers went head-to-head in one of the most tightly contested events of the season. With fish spawning across the state, strategy and timing played a critical role in every angler’s success.

🥇 Kyle Bartell (WI) rose to the top with a total of 104.25 inches, anchored by a monster 22-inch smallmouth—the Big Bass of the month. But what sealed the deal was his clutch submission on the final day, a critical upgrade that vaulted him into first place and secured both the win and the big bass title. In a field this tight, that final fish made all the difference. Kyle takes home a total of $202 for 1st place and Big Bass.

🥈 Jordan Hoeppner (WI) finished just a half-inch behind, tallying 103.75 inches of impressive smallmouth. His near-perfect limit kept the pressure on all the way to the finish. Jordan takes home $92.

🥉 Colin Heathman (WI) locked down third with 102.25 inches of big Wisconsin bronzebacks, continuing his strong presence on the leaderboard this season. Colin takess home $61.

This month’s tournament was a true test of patience and confidence. With competition neck-and-neck throughout, no lead felt safe, and anglers had to stay locked in from start to finish. Every upgrade mattered—and the final standings reflect just how intense the battle was.

05/21/2025

For those that have been asking: the 2025 Open event is published on TourneyX. Please check it out, especially boundaries, and ask questions if you have them.

05/02/2025

Badger State Kayak Series – April 2025 Monthly Recap

The 2025 Badger State Kayak Series kicked off in April with anglers across Wisconsin grinding through early spring conditions in the season’s first monthly CPR (Catch-Photo-Release) tournament. Despite cold fronts and moody prespawn bass, the field delivered impressive results to launch the season strong.

Josh Luterbach led the charge with a five-fish limit totaling 100.75”, securing 1st place and the tournament’s Big Bass honors with a 21” largemouth. His performance earned him $164 plus an additional $51 for Big Bass, along with a qualifying spot in the 2025 Badger State Championship.

Top 3 Finishers:

1. Josh Luterbach – 100.75” – $215

Big Bass (21” Largemouth)

2. Jordan Hoeppner – 96.50” – $98

3. Scott White – 92.75” – $65

As spring patterns transition and waters continue to warm, anglers are already gearing up for the May Monthly. Congratulations to all who competed and made April a standout opener for the 2025 season!

03/30/2025

2 reminders:

1. Your Wisconsin Fishing License expires TOMORROW, Monday, March 31st. Make sure to renew that.

2. The April monthly starts Tuesday! Get signed up, have a little fun, & knock the rust off before your first live derbies of the year. Also a great way to dip your toe if you’re interested in competitive fishing, but haven’t done it before.

03/20/2025

The April Monthly is up and running on TourneyX. Open to kayaks in any public water in Wisconsin! Top place finisher auto qualifies for the state championship.