30th Annual Bishop’s Fishing Tournaments
Join us for one or both of the tournaments!
MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2025
BIG STONE CITY – DOUTHITT PARK
MONDAY, JUNE 9, 2025
PIERRE – OAHE DOWNSTREAM RECREATIONAL AREA
Established in 1996, the annual Bishop’s Fishing Tournaments are held in two locations – on Big Stone Lake in Big Stone City and on the Missouri River near Pierre. These unique family-friendly events include a bass and walleye tournament, an outdoor Mass celebrated by attending clergy, a silent auction, raffles and an outdoor prime rib dinner. All proceeds benefit seminarian education and formation in the Diocese of Sioux Falls.
Benefiting Seminarian Education
There are currently 16 young men who are discerning their call to the priesthood for the Diocese of Sioux Falls.
Your participation in these fishing tournaments helps fund the formation and education of these men, which on average costs $47,000 per seminarian each year. Help us reach our goal of funding 3-4 seminarians each year!
Tournament Details
Big Stone City
June 2, 2025
SCHEDULE
7:00 a.m. Check-In Begins
7:15 a.m. Boat Launch Opens
8:00 a.m. Rules, Blessing and Tournament Begins
2:30 p.m. Weigh-In
3:30 p.m. Mass
4:15 p.m. Social, Kid’s Activities and Dessert Content
5:00 p.m. Outdoor Prime Rib Dinner and Program
Pierre
June 9, 2025
SCHEDULE
6:30 a.m. Check-in Begins
7:30 a.m. Rules, Blessing and Boats Depart Parking Lot
8:00 a.m. Tournament Begins
2:30 p.m. Weigh-In
3:30 p.m. Mass
4:15 p.m. Social, Kid’s Activities and Dessert Contest
5:00 p.m. Outdoor Prime Rib Dinner and Program
Entry Fees
Outdoor Prime Rib Dinner Tickets
Outdoor prime rib dinner tickets may be purchased separately for those not fishing in the tournament.
Individual | $30
Family Package | $100
Individual Hot Dog Meal | $10
Prize Categories
Individual
Largest Walleye – Youth
Largest Walleye – Adult
Largest Bass – Youth
Largest Bass – Adult
Largest Other Fish
Team
Most Total Weight Bass – 1st place
Most Total Weight Bass – 2nd place
Most Total Weight Bass – 3rd place
Most Total Weight Walleye – 1st place
Most Total Weight Walleye – 2nd place
Most Total Weight Walleye – 3rd place
Knights Challenge – Most Total Weight
Big Stone Tournament Results
Largest Walleye | Youth
Cecilia VanDover
3.97 lb.
Largest Walleye | Adult
Bill Welder
6.07 lb.
Largest Bass | Youth
Nathan Fonder
4.09 lb.
Largest Bass | Adult
Brendan Logan
4.36 lb.
Largest Other Fish
Will Pekelder – Sheephead
5.93 lb.
Most Total Weight | Bass – 1st Place
Nathan Fonder, Nicholas Fonder, Trevor Greiner, Will Pekelder
19.92 lb.
Most Total Weight | Bass – 2nd Place
Brendan Logan, Mark VanDover, Mark VanDover
17.63 lb.
Most Total Weight | Bass – 3rd Place
Mark Junker, Meredith Junker, Merik Junker
16.16 lb.
Most Total Weight | Walleye – 1st Place
Dan Loehrer, Kent Pryzbecien, Bill Welder, Clayton Whiting
17.88 lb.
Most Total Weight | Walleye – 2nd Place
Todd Cloose, Tim Giese, Adam Thomas
13.75 lb.
Most Total Weight | Walleye – 3rd Place
Dave Cloos, Mike Rausch, Val Rausch
13.57 lb.
Most Total Weight | Walleye – 1st Place
Dan Loehrer, Kent Pryzbecien, Bill Welder, Clayton Whiting
17.88 lb.
Most Total Weight | Knights of Columbus Challenge
Dan Loehrer, Kent Pryzbecien, Bill Welder, Clayton Whiting
17.88 lb.
Benefiting Seminarian Education
The Diocese of Sioux Falls currently has 16 young men discerning their call to the priesthood.
Your participation in these fishing tournaments helps fund the formation and education of these men, which on average costs $47,000 per seminarian each year. Help us reach our goal of funding 3-4 seminarians each year!
Hear from Vocations Director Fr. Michael Kapperman and Vocations Advocate Fr. Tony Klein on how seminarians are formed as they discern a call to the priesthood.
Thank You to Our 2025 Sponsors!
Presenting Sponsors
Holy Spirit Parish
Sioux Falls
BJ
Schaefbauer
Diamond Sponsors
Sacred Heart Parish | Aberdeen
St. Mary Parish | Aberdeen
St. Lawrence Parish | Milbank
St. Nicholas Parish | Tea
Platinum Sponsors
Galen & Ann Jordre | Pierre
Knights of Columbus Council #1720 | Milbank
Midwest Liquid Feed | Wood
Sacred Heart Parish | Westport
St. Charles Parish | Big Stone City
Donald & Peggy Zilverberg | Holabird
Gold Sponsors
Gerald Adelman | Big Stone City
Christian Mothers Confraternity of St. Joseph | Eureka
Family Memorials by Gibson | Sioux Falls
Jeff & Kristi Forsting | Columbia
Mark & Meredith Junker | Big Stone City
Roger & Marcia Liebig | Gettysburg
Our Lady of Victory Pastorate | Sioux Falls, Hartford
Alan & Esme Pratt | Big Stone City
Stu & Karen Schreurs | Milbank
Larry & Joyce Vetch | Onaka
Travis & Tami Vetch | Mobridge
