K/D Salmon Tourney Draws 2,653 Anglers

The 2010 Kewaunee/ Door County Salmon Tournament paid out more than $40,000 in cash prizes to the hoards of fisherman who took to the lake and bay July 23 – Aug. 1.

The big winner was Tj Valacak of Hoffman Estates, Ill., who took the $10,000 first prize. The tournament also paid out more than $5,000 in daily port winner cash and prizes to the 45 anglers who landed the heaviest salmon each day at the five weigh-in sites in Kewaunee, Algoma, Sturgeon Bay, Baileys Harbor and Washington Island.

Valacak’s first place fish, a 28.16-pounder that smacked a green Luhr Jensen J-Plug, July 26 also earned him a free mount of the 37-inch fish by John Mallien’s Strawberry Creek Taxidermy, and a sterling silver salmon ring with a black diamond eye by Paul Spanbauer of Wisconsin Charm in Sturgeon Bay. He won another $800 for landing the 11th largest salmon among 2,653 contestants.

Michael Bauer of Sturgeon Bay took second when he caught a 26.68-pound salmon off Baileys Harbor July 31, winning $2,000 and a guided fishing vacation at Wild Eagle Lodge in Eagle River.

LeRoy L’Huiller of Menominee, Mich. won the $1,000 third place cash prize, plus a $150 gift certificate from Opti Tackle, for his 23.58-pounder caught on a glow spoon off Kewaunee July 30.

A complete list of the 200 winners is available at http://www.kdsalmon.com. The 2011 tournament will be held July 23 – 31.