The annual event is designed to promote fishing by getting the younger generation hooked on the sport.

The tournament was free to enter, and contestants received a free ticket for a hot dog meal and a ticket for a free fishing prize.

As in past years, the fishing event proved popular. It started at 4 p.m., and within the first 15 minutes, more than 110 anglers registered in the tournament. By 5 p.m. there were 150 registered. The final count was 175 anglers.

It was a great day for fishing. Several fish were caught and registered within the first few minutes of the contest. Six different fish species were caught during the tournament. The sheepshead, suckers, carp, northern gar and catfish were all biting. This year was unusual in that catfish caught outweighed all other fish.

Photo by Clay Schuldt Three winners of the 2022 Hooked on Fishing tournament were from left: Kaysen Gostonczik, Braxton Kiecker and Conner Meier. Meier took third with a 5-pound-6-ounce northern. Kiecker finished second with a 5-pound-7-ounce catfish. First place went to Gostonczik for a 6-pound-4-ounce catfish.

Early in the contest 8-year-old Adaline Schaefer caught a 3-pound-ll-ounce catfish. Schaefer said she caught the fish on stink bait. Schaefer’s fish placed fourth overall for weight.

Fishing poles and tackle were awarded for the three heaviest fish caught during the tournament.

Conner Meier took third with a 5-pound-6-ounce northern. Braxton Kiecker finished second with a 5-pound-7-ounce catfish. First place went to Kaysen Gostonczik for a 6-pound-4-ounce. catfish.

The three youth champions were all experienced fishermen. Kaysen said his prize-winning fish was not even his largest catch. Last year he caught an 11-pound carp. He was happy to catch a catfish this year. He said it was a difficult fish to land as it put up a great fight.

All fish registered were kept in a live tank during the tournament. Kids were able to see the fish up close. Throughout the tournament, the young anglers would practice handling the fish. For each species, there was a different technique for pulling them out of the water.

Photo by Clay Schuldt More than 170 anglers lined the river bank at Riverside Park for the New Ulm Area Sport Fishermen Hooked on Fishing tournament.

The NUASF club members were excited about the turnout for the event. Club member Scott Sparlin was pleased with the weather. The temperature was nearly perfect for fishing, holding at 79 degrees throughout the tournament.

River conditions had also improved from last year. In 2021, tournament Minnesota was experiencing a drought and the Minnesota River was extremely low. Kids were able to use exposed rocks to venture halfway into the channel. This year, water levels were high enough to keep the riverbed covered.

The New Ulm Area Sport Fishermen organization was first formed in 1986. In addition to the Youth Fishing event held in the fall, the club also sponsors an Ice Fishing Contest in February.

Photo by Clay Schuldt There was wide range of youth anglers fishing in the New Ulm Area Sport Fishermen tournament. The experienced youths knew how to keep their distance to avoid tangling the lines.

Photo by Clay Schuldt Owen Drill caught one of the first fish in the tournament, a small sheephead.