First Ever Wyoming Walleye Stampede Governor’s Cup Was Great

The inaugural Wyoming Walleye Stampede Governor's Cup is in the books for 2024, and it did not disappoint. It was impressive and intense, exactly what we hoped for. One hundred forty-one boats with 282 anglers traveled from all over the mountain region to compete for a share of the $76,450 cash payout and other prizes from the two-day tournament.

Brian Woodward and Mitch Bauers created the top-tier walleye tournament circuit, and it is in the middle of its 16th year. The circuit holds three qualifying tournaments, allowing anglers to qualify for the fourth championship tournament event. Anglers from Wyoming and other states nationwide come to central Wyoming to participate in these two-day fishing tournaments. This year, there are two tournaments at Glendo and one at Boysen Reservoir, with the championship being held at Pathfinder Reservoir.

If you've ever fished at Glendo Reservoir, you know why, too. Wyoming Game and Fish and the Wyoming State Parks Departments have created a great place to catch walleye, spend time with family, and enjoy being on the water. It's also a great place to hold a walleye fishing tournament, so it's home to two of the four Stampede events, where over 120 boats will attend each event.

Since these events are such a big hit, Brian and Mitch decided to up the ante and turn the second qualifying tournament at Glendo into the Governor's Cup. It runs like the other qualifying tournament events, where anglers are trying to get the highest weight, but now they are fishing for bigger prizes. The prize money total is higher, huge trophies and championship rings have been added, and the winner will have their team's name etched into Wyoming Walleye Stampede history.

The winning team won $15,000, got their own Gov Cup Trophies, official Gov Cup Winner team jackets, 'Super Bowl'- like championship rings, and your team's name engraved on the Governor's Cup.

Not only did first place get a nice payday, but teams 2 - 28 and 33 were also in the money. 33 in honor of Wyoming's 33 Governor, Mark Gordon.

After two tough days of fishing, fluctuating temps, thunderstorms, and a great time at Glendo, Colorado natives JOE RANGEL and KEITH MCLARNEY took home the top prize in the inaugural Wyoming Walleye Stampede Governor's Cup. The team caught 26.02 pounds on day one and 23.11 pounds on day two, for 49.13 total pounds. The second-place team, Chuck and Hunter Craig, finished the weekend less than one pound behind the winners with 48.22 pounds.

It was a great weekend and a big congratulations to all the anglers that fished in the inaugural Governor's Cup.

Take a look at some of the highlights from the weekend.