The Knights of Columbus Walleye Classic presented by Acme Tools/Milwaukee Tools/Honda Power Equipment hit a huge milestone on Thursday, September 15th when they presented their 11 beneficiaries with the proceeds from this year’s 21st Annual Walleye Classic, surpassing $1 million in donations.
Tournament Chair John Marcum and Treasurer Joe Bofferding presented checks to each of the 11 organizations at their annual September gathering. Bofferding noted that the amount includes the Raffle receipts as well as tournament fees and sponsorships. “This year we distributed $104,671 to 11 charities,”said Bofferding. “Adding this amount to the previous 20 year total of $928,826 brings the 21 year total raised by Kraus-Anderson and the Knights of Columbus to $1,033,497.”
Kraus-Anderson began the tournament in 2001 and ran it for the first 15 years. K-A has maintained its support and sponsorship of the event, but the Bemidji Council of the Knights Of Columbus took over the tournament in 2016 and has run it the past six years.
The 11 beneficiaries are Bemidji Area All Pro Dads, Bemidji Area Special Olympics, Bemidji Youth League Baseball, Bemidji Lumberjack Fishing Team, Bemidji BSA-Voyageurs Area Council, Paul Bunyan Chapter of Fishing Has No Boundaries, Let’s Go Fishing, Take A Kid Fishing, Wounded Warrior Guide Service, Knights of Columbus Council #1544 and Bemidji Area DNR Fisheries.
The cousin tandem of Charlie Peterson and Jace Peterson won the event in June with a bag of 23.18 pounds. Jace claimed the tournament’s big fish, a tournament record 9.16 pounder. Julie Dempsey won the Lund Boat/Mercury Outboard/Shoreland’r Trailer package courtesy of Ray’s Sport & Marine of Bemidji.
The 22nd Annual Knights Of Columbus Walleye Classic is set for Saturday, June 10,, 2023 on Lake Bemidji. Returning teams will be able to register starting February 1, 2023. For past competitors with a new partner, registration will begin on March 1, 2023. If there are any remaining openings, registration will be on a first come basis on March 8, 2023. All registration will be done on the website kcwalleyeclassic.com.
