On April 21st, 2024 20 boaters and 13 co anglers launched at Lake Okoboji for the first state qualifier of 2024. At the state qualifier the top 3 boaters and top 3 co anglers advance to the National Semi Final in September on the Missouri River out of Springfield, SD. Okoboji stayed true to its normal self with some eye popping weights that attracts anglers from all over the state. 20lb bags are common out of Okoboji and this time of year 25lb+ bags are not un heard of. This event proved yet again why Okoboji is the premier fishery in the state of Iowa. Not only did Okoboji show off with some big bags, but the big fish were also present with 9 fish weighing over 5lb and 4 of those topping 6lb!
Boaters
1st Place Evan Powell 26.39lb with a 6.55lb Big Bass
2nd Place Joe Mckay 23.88lb with a 6.30lb Big Bass
3rd Place Koleby Van Beek 23.05lb with a 6.47lb Big Bass
Co Anglers
1st Place Jim Garton 20.19lb
2nd Place Lonnie Elder 10.76lb with a 5.39lb Big Bass
3rd Place Donnie Schirmer 9.81lb
Please join us in congratulating all the anglers above that have qualified for the 2024 National Semi Final. The weights were impressive with high school angler Evan Powell leading the way on the boater side with 26.39lb and Jim Garton almost doubling second place on the co angler side with 20.19lb. We look forward to seeing everyone at our next state qualifier June 23rd where 3 more boaters and 3 more co anglers will qualify for the National Semi Final at the Missouri River out of Springfield South Dakota this September.
