06/09/2026
Lorain Pro-Am 2026 Recap
The Lake Erie Walleye Trail returned to Lorain on June 6th (delayed until June 7th) for one of the most anticipated events of the season, and once again the LEWT Lorain Pro-Am delivered. After the unfortunate cancellation of the 2025 event, anglers were excited to get back to one of the trail’s premier destinations, and Lorain did not disappoint.
A total of 63 Pro teams and 22 Amateur anglers launched under favorable early June conditions, producing outstanding catches throughout the field. The event showcased just how healthy Lake Erie’s western and central basins continue to be, with anglers weighing an impressive 250 walleyes totaling 1,432.49 pounds in the Pro Division alone.
The tournament quickly turned into a heavyweight battle at the top of the leaderboard. When the scales settled, Nicholas Zart and William Dudas Jr. claimed the Lorain Pro-Am Championship with an incredible 39.90-pound limit, anchored by the tournament’s second-largest fish at 9.17 pounds. The victory earned the team $15,320 and valuable Team of the Year points.
Finishing just behind the champions was the always-dangerous team of Nick and Ed Oleksy, who brought 38.83 pounds to the scales, while Rande Woodland and Chris Ross rounded out the podium with 38.41 pounds. Woodland and Ross also captured Big Fish honors with a massive 9.70-pound walleye, the largest fish weighed during the event.
One of the biggest storylines developing on the 2026 LEWT season continues to be the consistency of Nicholas Zart and Nick Oleksy. Both anglers have established themselves as some of the most effective forward-facing sonar fishermen on Lake Erie, and their commitment to mastering the technology continues to show in the results. Whether targeting suspended fish, identifying quality individual walleyes, or making critical adjustments throughout the day, both teams have become incredibly difficult to beat.
Tournament after tournament, Zart and Oleksy continue to find themselves near the top of the leaderboard. Their success is no accident. Countless hours on the water, relentless preparation, and a dedication to understanding fish behavior through modern electronics have allowed them to consistently put themselves in contention. As the Team of the Year race progresses, both anglers are proving that they are not simply capable of winning events—they are becoming the benchmark that the rest of the field is chasing. When either team is within striking distance heading into weigh-in, the entire field knows they are a threat to take home the trophy.
While the victory officially belongs to Nicholas Zart and William Dudas Jr., the win carried special significance for Dudas. A longtime competitor on the Lake Erie tournament trail, Bill has spent years competing against some of the best anglers in the region, consistently putting himself in contention and compiling an impressive tournament resume. Despite numerous strong finishes and years of dedication to the sport, a LEWT Championship title had remained just out of reach.
That changed in Lorain.
With the victory, Dudas finally captured his first Lake Erie Walleye Trail Championship, cementing his place among the trail’s winners and forever etching his name into LEWT history. It was a moment that many fellow competitors were excited to see, recognizing the years of commitment, perseverance, and passion he has invested in competitive walleye fishing.
Following the weigh-in, Dudas reflected on the accomplishment and noted there was only one thing that could have made the moment even more special. He wished he could have shared the victory with his longtime tournament partner and close friend, Mark Wilmot. The two have spent countless hours together chasing walleyes and competing across Lake Erie, making the championship a meaningful milestone not only for Dudas, but for the friendships and partnerships that define the sport.
For Bill Dudas, the Lorain Pro-Am was more than just another tournament victory—it was the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and persistence. He now proudly joins the ranks of LEWT Champions.
Another impressive storie from the Lorain Pro-Am came from Rande Woodland and Chris Ross, who made the trip down from Michigan to fish their first-ever Lake Erie Walleye Trail event. Competing against one of the most talented fields in LEWT history, the duo wasted little time proving they belonged, bringing an impressive 38.41-pound limit to the scales and securing a third-place finish. Their day was highlighted by the tournament’s Big Fish, a giant 9.70-pound walleye, the largest fish weighed during the event. After experiencing the competition, camaraderie, and atmosphere that make LEWT special, Woodland and Ross made it clear they thoroughly enjoyed their time in Lorain and plan on returning for more action in the future.
Doughty Continues Building Momentum
Another feel-good story from the event belonged to Shane Doughty and Jim Leigh, who earned their first Lake Erie Walleye Trail payday with a fourth-place finish and 38.33 pounds. For Doughty, the check represented another milestone in what has been an impressive stretch of tournament success. Just weeks earlier, he cashed a check fishing the National Walleye Tour in South Dakota, making Lorain his second consecutive tournament payday. As he continues to gain experience and confidence competing against elite-level anglers, Doughty is steadily building momentum on his journey toward becoming a professional tournament angler.
Consistency at the Top
Tournament fishing is often defined not by a single great finish, but by the ability to consistently perform against the best competition. That consistency has been on full display from Tyler Berthold and Devon Phillips, Mike Miller and Bryan Fisher, Brett Gilbertson, and Dan Harper and Craig Wood, all of whom have now cashed checks in consecutive LEWT events this season.
What makes their success particularly impressive is the style of fishing many of these anglers have embraced. Casting to individual walleyes using forward-facing sonar has become one of the most effective — and demanding — techniques on Lake Erie. Success requires countless hours on the water, patience, confidence in electronics, and the discipline to trust what you’re seeing on the screen. This group has demonstrated that commitment throughout the season, repeatedly putting themselves near the top of the leaderboard and proving that casting for walleyes is becoming an increasingly dangerous technique in tournament competition.
Persistence Pays Off for Defibaugh and Shipman
For Mike Defibaugh and Mitch Shipman, the Lorain Pro-Am was a rewarding breakthrough after battling through a few frustrating setbacks earlier in the season. Long known as accomplished “old-school” casters, the pair finally broke through and found themselves in the money with a ninth-place finish and 35.79 pounds.
According to Defibaugh, the team’s strategy was built around blending traditional and modern techniques. They used Off Shore Tackle planer boards to efficiently cover water and locate active schools of walleyes before transitioning to forward-facing sonar to target and catch larger individual fish. By combining proven trolling tactics with today’s advanced electronics, the duo was able to capitalize on aggressive fish while upgrading throughout the day. For Defibaugh and Shipman, the check was a welcome reward for their persistence and a reminder that experience, adaptability, and confidence can still compete with any approach on Lake Erie.
The Top 9 paid positions in the Pro Division were:
Nicholas Zart / William Dudas Jr. – 39.90 lbs
Nick Oleksy / Ed Oleksy – 38.83 lbs
Rande Woodland / Chris Ross – 38.41 lbs
Shane Doughty / Jim Leigh – 38.33 lbs
Tyler Berthold / Devon Phillips – 37.27 lbs
Mike Miller / Bryan Fisher – 37.04 lbs
Brett Gilbertson – 36.12 lbs
Dan Harper / Craig Wood – 35.85 lbs
Mike Defibaugh / Mitch Shipman – 35.79 lbs
The Amateur Division also produced outstanding catches. Steven Thibert earned the Amateur Division victory with 37.04 pounds, narrowly edging out Jason Howell with 36.12 pounds and Zaiden Boswell with 35.30 pounds.
The Top 5 Amateur finishers were:
Steven Thibert – 37.04 lbs
Jason Howell – 36.12 lbs
Zaiden Boswell – 35.30 lbs
Gregory Licht – 34.97 lbs
Edward Ray Lattie – 34.95 lbs
Overall, the Lorain Pro-Am reaffirmed why it has become one of the most popular stops on the LEWT schedule. From the strong turnout and competitive field to the incredible weights brought to the scales, the event once again showcased the quality of Lake Erie walleye fishing and the passion of the anglers who compete on the trail.
The LEWT would like to thank all of our anglers, sponsors, volunteers, staff, and the City of Lorain for helping make the return of the Lorain Pro-Am such a tremendous success. With Team of the Year races tightening and momentum building through the season, competitors now turn their attention toward the next stop on the 2026 Lake Erie Walleye Trail schedule in Erie, Pa for an open event. Anglers can fish with unlimited anglers and have some fun competing for the same LEWT title everyone is searching for!
Tournament Statistics
Pro Teams: 63
Amateur Anglers: 22
Walleyes Weighed: 250
Total Weight: 1,432.49 lbs
Average Weight per Fish: 5.73 lbs
Average Team Weight: 22.38 lbs
Big Fish: Rande Woodland / Chris Ross – 9.70 lb
LakeErieWalleyeTrail.com
