Don Topolski of Streator leaped to first place in the saugeye category of the annual big fish contest at Evergreen Lake this week.

Topolski caught a fish weighing 7 pounds, 14 ounces and stretching 27 inches. That topped the 5-pound, 15-ounce saugeye caught by guide Jerry Martoglio earlier this season that had been the top catch.

Other leaders in the big fish contest that continues through Nov. 30 are Claude Graeff of Normal, with a 14-pound, 6-ounce catfish; Mike Spayer of LaSalle with a 1-pound, 2-ounce crappie; Brady Anderson, Normal, with an 8-ounce bluegill; and Travis Holler of Sparland, with a 2-pound, 14-ounce carp.

Surprisingly, no one has bothered to weigh a bass in the contest. Big largemouth swim in the lake, but anglers might be releasing the ones they catch to fight another day.

Muskies are not included in the contest to protect them from harm.

Muskie results

Dave Thomas of Bloomington caught a 32½-inch muskie to take first place with partner Mark Meikleski of Pontiac in Saturday's Gregg Tichacek Memorial Muskie Tournament hosted by the Central Illinois Muskie Hunters for the Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail at Evergreen Lake. The fish was the only one caught and released by the 13 teams in the competition.

The IMTT State Championship Tournament is the first weekend in November on Lake Kinkaid.

Sauger biting

Tom Giachetto Jr. and Tom Giachetto Sr. of Ladd won the Illinois Walleye Trail Fall Classic on Sunday on the Illinois River at Henry with six fish weighing 11.68 pounds.

Tournament director Bob Kidd said the river was in good condition with about 1 foot of water clarity.

The Illinois Walleye Trail 2008-09 season begins Nov. 2 at Hennepin. Call (309) 527-6328 or e-mail walleye1352@fairpoint.net for more information.

FYI

About one-third of all anglers surveyed say Web sites are their primary source of fishing information and entertainment, according to a study by Southwick Associates. That's up from one quarter from a year ago. The 10 percent rise was not seen among hunters, who say about a quarter of their numbers use Web sites primarily.

Magazines edged Web sites as main sources of fishing information with about 40 percent turning real pages rather than using a mouse. Hunters are more into magazines with nearly half relying on them.

Scott Richardson is Pantagraph outdoor editor. Contact him at (309) 820-3227 or email srichardson@pantagraph.com. Share stories and read past outdoor and fishing columns at www.pantagraph.com/blogs