The father and son team of Joe and Joseph Robl, both of Oshkosh, Wis., are the winners of the 45th annual Mercury National Walleye Tournament on Lake Winnebago June 10-11. The event brought nearly 600 anglers to compete for a prize package that includes a LUND 1875 Impact XS multi‑species fishing boat equipped with a Mercury 150hp Pro XS outboard, a 9.9hp ProKicker and a MotorGuide trolling motor; a complementing set of accessories; and $5,000 cash. In the two days of fishing, the Robls hauled in 10 walleyes weighing a total of 29 pounds. Joe Robl credited the team’s win to cooler temperatures, along with some wind and rain on Sunday. “It’s awesome – I’ve been trying to win this one for quite a while, probably 35 years,” he said. “When it gets nasty, I love fishing.” Walleye Weekend is an annual economic boon for Fond du Lac, drawing 50,000 people to the three-day festival, which benefits 36 area nonprofit agencies. Mercury sponsors several of events throughout the weekend, including the annual Run/Walk and Mercury Family Fishing Tournament. Dozens of Mercury employees volunteer their time to keep the event running smoothly. “We are so appreciative of our Mercury owners who participate each year, and all of the new anglers we welcomed for the first time,” said Michelle Kilburn, Mercury senior manager of competitive angling. “I also want to thank LUND Boats, MotorGuide and our other co‑sponsors. And, of course, many thanks go to the members of The Walleye Federation and its director, Ken Krueger, for all their hard work in making this year’s event a success. We look forward to continuing this beloved community tradition next year.”
