HAMBURG, N.Y., – June 25th, 2023 – Southtowns Walleye Association of Western New York Inc. (STWA) (www.southtownswalleye.org) held its 39th Annual Walleye Derby from June 10th through June 18th 2023, on the waters of Lake Erie and the Upper Niagara River, with more than $100,000 in cash and prizes at stake, anglers throughout Western New York and multiple states participated in the nine day event in search of a walleye worthy of the top prize.
The Derby concluded with an awards picnic held at the STWA Clubhouse on June 25th at 1pm with close to 200 people in attendance, the main prizes were awarded to the top 109 fish that weighed in after the nine day event. Top honors for the winners went to the following top adult and youth participants within each division.
Adult Winners 2023: Youth Winners 2023:
1st – Wayne Doan – 12.56 lbs. 1st – Heartlee Maskulinski – 7.83 lbs.
2nd – Robert Orourke – 12.17 lbs. 2nd – Ryella Maskulinski – 7.13 lbs.
3rd – Chad Beyer – 11.96 lbs. 3rd – Olivia Pinelle – 6.06 lbs.
4th – David Salvalzo – 11.53 lbs. 4th – Olivia Baliesteroes – 5.96 lbs.
5th – Jeremiah Hughes – 11.05 lbs. 5th – Ryan Lewandowski – 5.75 lbs.
6th – Timothy Kozub - 11.05 lbs. 6th – Wyatt Simonick – 5.75 lbs.
7th – Randy Tyrell – 11.03 lbs. 7th – Mylana Wiese – 5.23 lbs.
8th – Adam Zwack – 10.42 lbs. 8th – Bentley Geedy – 5.16 lbs.
9th – Anthony Guenther – 10.35 lbs. 9th –Logan Schweiter – 5.15 lbs.
10th – Edward Kowalski – 10.30 lbs. 10th – Ryan Mordacz – 4.89 lbs.
2023 Daily Walleye Winners:
Day 1 - Herbert Mathis – 10.15 lbs.
Day 2 - Albert Raro – 10.02 lbs.
Day 3 - Thomas Slawatycki – 9.58 lbs.
Day 4 - Patrick Bohen – 9.56 lbs.
Day 5 - Rob Ebersole – 9.42 lbs.
Day 6 - Edward Kowalski – 10.30 lbs.
Day 7 - Timothy Marien – 9.83 lbs.
Day 8 - Brian Hart – 9.72 lbs.
Day 9 - Robert Siebert – 10.04 lbs.
Lakeshore Hardware Youth Lifetime License Winner: Reyella Maskulinski - 7.13 lbs.
World Wide Stone – First Fish Weighed In Winner: Ryan Mordacz – 4.89 lbs.
2023 Derby Lure Winner: Wayne Doan – 12.56 lbs.
West Herr NY Walleye Winner: Randy Tyrell – 7.95 lbs.
777 Winner: Steve Kryszak – 7.75 lbs.
2023 Joe Leonarczyk Jr. Memorial Award: Jared Ras – 4.67 lbs.
Southtowns Walleye Association of Western New York, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving fishing opportunities in the region for all individuals. With a clear focus on kids, community, conservation and philanthropy, our various programs support these pillars for a strong future generation of outdoorsmen and women and our fishery. To learn more about the club, please visit us at www.southtownswalleye.org or stop by our facility located at 5895 Southwestern Boulevard, Hamburg, NY 14075, Tel.: 716.649.8202, meetings are held the third Thursday of each month at 7:30pm and are open to the public.