Featuring Pat Kalmerton & Johnnie Candle

Can you believe we are already thinking about summer? While the temperatures might still be chilly, the buzz is heating up for one of the most legendary events in North Dakota fishing history.

In a recent interview, Pat Kalmerton sat down with tournament host and fishing legend Johnnie Candle to get the inside scoop on the upcoming 50th Annual Devils Lake Chamber Fishing Tournament.

If you love walleye fishing, camaraderie, and big payouts, you need to watch this interview—and then you need to get your team registered.

Watch the Full Interview with Pat & Johnnie

 

 

 

Celebrating 50 Years on the Water

As Johnnie Candle put it during the interview, "Anything that lasts for 50 years... you know you're doing something right."

This isn't just another tournament; it’s a golden anniversary celebration of the Devils Lake community. To mark the occasion, the Chamber is turning it up a notch. The prize pool is projected to exceed $65,000 (if the field fills), with a first-place payout of $6,500.

But you don’t have to win to score big. Exclusive 50th Anniversary Perk: Every angler who enters will receive a premium Aftco coastal layer quarter-zip sweatshirt featuring the 50th Anniversary logo (a $60 value) included with their entry!

Why June is the Perfect Time to Fish

Pat and Johnnie discussed why the tournament date—Friday, June 26, 2026—is the absolute sweet spot for Devils Lake.

  • Peak Bite: It's the prime of the season.

  • Pick Your Technique: Whether you love slip bobbers on rock piles, trolling spinners and lead core, casting cranks shallow, or using forward-facing sonar in the timber, everything works in late June.

  • Massive Playing Field: You have over 150,000 acres of water to find your five big walleye.

More Than Just a Tournament

This event is about community. The entry fee is a reasonable $275 per team, which includes your meal at the rules meeting and your Aftco gear.

Plus, the fish caught don't go to waste. They are cleaned by the Lake Region Anglers Association and donated to a massive community fish fry held in August, raising money for local causes. It’s a competition that gives back.

Vital Deadline: February 28, 2026

You do not want to wait to sign up. Here is why you need to register before February 28th:

  1. Free Entry Drawing: You'll be entered into a drawing where 5 teams will have their entry fees completely paid for by sponsors.

  2. Guaranteed Sizing: You get to pick the specific size for your commemorative Aftco pullover.

Ready to Join the Celebration?

Don’t let the 50th Anniversary pass you by. Grab a partner (kids and mixed couples are welcome and encouraged!), prep the boat, and get ready for the best weekend of the summer.

Click Here to Register (Go to the Events Tab > Annual Events > Chamber Fishing Tournament)

See you on the water!