The Bighorn Store

08/04/2025

08/04/2025

Championship Contenders for The 2025 Whiskey River Walleye Challenge being held on September 14, 2025 on The Petenwell Flowage.

Ryan & Jason
Gabby & Brian
Dan & Joe
Brandon & Wyatt
Ryan & Braiden
George & Pete

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08/04/2025

The fourth and final qualifier for The Whiskey River Walleye Challenge is in the books. Here are The Top Three anglers

1. Dan & Joe 66.50 inches
2. Gabby & Brian 64.50 inches
3. George & Pete 55.25 inches

The Championship contenders will be posted shortly. All inches are the total of 3 fish. This is a catch, photograph and release event. This is a no harvest event of any species.

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08/03/2025

The Whiskey River Walleye Championship location has been determined. Second place winner for the last qualifier today, miss Gabby, flipped the coin! Petenwell is the chosen destination.

08/02/2025

Last Whiskey River Qualifier is tomorrow!

Excited to announce our 4th Annual 2025 Whiskey River Walleye Challenge SCHEDULE! The first fishing shindy will begin on March 30th with 7AM send off! Events will be rescheduled if spring flows are over 20,000 cts.

RULES
2 Angler Team $100.00 per event
This is a catch record and release tournament in which The Fish Donkey App will be used for registration and officiating. Contact The Bighorn Store for more information 608-564-3426.
Anglers must register before 6:00 pm of the day before each event. Anglers will conduct a video inspection of their boat. Frabill, Scheels and Fish Donkey Bump Boards are allowed. Any other boards may be used with a Whiskey River Walleye Challenge official's approval. Fish Donkey Bump Boards will be available at The Bighorn Store for cost.
Please keep at least 50 feet away from any other boats. 3 rods per angler allowed as well as live bait and trolling. No fish allowed in live well regardless of species. Once on the water, teams are not allowed to leave boat unless an emergency or using the rest room. Please contact another event participant if doing so. Or call Joe directly at 608-403-1590.
Anglers will receive a playing card at registration which will be used during fish measuring. One card will be given for each boat as this is a team event.
Take off will be determined by card draw and boats will be released in 30 second intervals. Take off will begin at 7:00 am.
Walleyes measuring 15 inches or better will be scored. The best 3 fish will be scored. Nose of fish must be touching front of the bump board and at least one inch of bump board past the pinched tail of fish is required. Make sure pictures are clear with no glare. Playing card identifying your team must be in the pictures. The Fish Donkey App will be used to offciate the tournament for final scores. Last fish registered at 3:00 pm. No Exceptions. Anglers must ensure a live release of all fish caught or face possible disqualification.
Payout will be 60% of entry fees after fees will be paid out at each qualifier. Payout will be as follows: 1st Place 50%, 2nd Place 30%. 3rd 20%. 40% of entry fees will go into Championship Pool. Championship will pay 1st 50%, 2nd 30% 3rd 20%
To qualify for Championship you must place in the top 3 of any qualifier as well as fish a minimum of 2 qualifiers.
19 boat maximum boat entry. PFD's must be worn when boat is on plane. All anglers must follow all Wisconsin DNR Regulations as well as any local, state and federal laws that apply.

• March 30th - Castle Rock Dam to Hwy 82 Bridge.
Rescheduled if flow exceeds 20,000 cfs.
• April 13th - Petenwell Dam Hwy 21 Launch to Trestle on Castle Rock.
Rescheduled if flow exceeds 20,000 cfs.
• June 8th - Petenwell CountyPark
• July 20th - Castle Rock Lion's Club Launch
• August 3rd - Petenwell County Park
• September 14th - Championship Location determined by coin flip.

08/02/2025

The county-owned beach on Castle Rock Lake/County Park is under a Water Quality Advisory due to elevated levels of E. Coli. For your safety, do not swim or ingest lake water. Please note that this only applies to the county-owned beach, not the whole lake or private beaches. E. Coli levels in waterways can change rapidly. It is best to always use caution.

E. Coli infection usually occurs when the bacteria gets into an individual’s mouth. Keep children who are unable to keep water out of their mouths while playing, out of the water. Make sure to wash hands well after being in the water and before eating any food.

Symptoms of E. Coli include:

▪ Nausea

▪ Vomiting

▪ Stomach cramps (abdominal pain)

▪ Diarrhea that often is bloody

▪ Fever of about 100 F to 101 F (37.7 C to 38.3 C)

▪ General discomfort

▪ Loss of appetite

▪ Mild dehydration

The public beaches that are County-owned are tested every other week during the summer season. If closed or under an advisory, there will be signs posted at the beach. Always make sure to pay attention to any signs that are posted. Water conditions can vary throughout the lake. It is important to always use caution when deciding to go in the water or not.

07/29/2025

07/27/2025

Sam Kaderlik and Austin Ruff know it pays to fish with Garmin Marine. As the highest placing team at the AWWS Warrior Boats Inc. / Kovash Marine Open on Ottertail Lake using a Garmin Force trolling motor, they earned an additional $500.00 cash in Garmin Bonus Bucks.

07/27/2025

07/25/2025

This is the reason The Bighorn Store is a community asset. We love our interaction with the local guides. Kameo loves them all.