Lake Oahe, Pierre, SD – Walter Louk, of Jefferson, a seventh grader at Greene County Middle School (pictured, right), and Leon Polley of Harlan (pictured, left) made waves on the international stage at the Junior World Bass Fishing Championship held July 30 – Aug. 1 at Lake Oahe near Pierre, SD. The two showcased exceptional skill and determination, ultimately earning the prestigious title of Runner-Up World Champions and securing $1,000 college scholarship vouchers each, a press release stated.
To qualify for this elite competition, youth anglers must first place in their respective state championships. Walter and Leon earned their spot by taking second place in the Iowa State Championship at Lake Okoboji in April 2025. Their performance secured them a chance to fish against the top junior anglers from around the globe on one of the largest reservoirs in the United States—Lake Oahe, which spans more than 370,000 acres and stretches more than 230 miles, roughly the distance from Des Moines to Minneapolis.
Guided by boat captain Ben McCord, who managed the boat and offered strategic advice without ever touching a fishing rod (as per tournament rules), the team faced stiff competition and ever-changing water conditions. The format required 2-person teams to weigh in their heaviest three bass limit each day, with the ability to “cull”—replacing smaller fish with larger ones while keeping all catches alive for release after weigh-in.
-Day 1: Walter and Leon started strong, finishing in 6th place with three smallmouth bass weighing 11 lbs 3 oz.
-Day 2 – Cut Day: The fishing was tougher, but they still brought in a solid 9 lbs 9 oz, bringing their two-day total to 20 lbs 12 oz—enough to advance to the finals.
-Day 3 – Finals: With weights reset to zero, every team had an equal shot at the title. Walter and Leon delivered under pressure, reeling in 11 lbs 10 oz, securing the Runner-Up position in the world! This finish not only reflects the team’s incredible talent and perseverance but also highlights the growing strength of youth fishing programs in Iowa and beyond. The event awarded thousands of dollars in scholarship prizes, reinforcing its commitment to supporting young anglers in both sport and education.
