2025 Southern Illinois Kayak Club Season

The 2025 Southern Illinois Kayak Club Season marks another exciting year of competitive kayak bass fishing across Southern Illinois.

With six trail events, the Classic Championship, and plenty of stories along the way, this season showcases the skill, dedication, and camaraderie that define the SIKC community.

Follow along as our anglers compete for Angler of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and other honors while exploring some of the region’s best fisheries — from Coffeen Lake to Newton.

Scroll below for full recaps, photos, and results from each stop on the 2025 trail!

2025 Tournament Schedule & Results

  • SIKC Classic Championship – Cedar Lake – March 29, 2025 → 🥇 Susie Roloff

  • Stop #1 – Coffeen Lake – Apr 12, 2025 → 🥇 Wade Hobaugh

  • Stop #2 – Otter Lake – May 2025 → 🥇 Dalton Williams

  • Stop #3 – Sangchris Lake – Jun 7, 2025 → 🥇 Dalton Williams

  • Stop #4 – Cedar Lake – Jul 19, 2025 → 🥇 Dalton Williams

  • Stop #5 – Pyramid State Park – Aug 2025 → 🥇 Darren Hemker

  • Stop #6 – Newton Lake – Sept 2025 → 🥇 Kevin Cox

Season Awards:
🏆 Angler of the Year: Dalton Williams
🌟 Rookie of the Year: Keith Gressler
🍍 Pineapple Man of the Year: Kevin Cox

Tournaments
Season Finale at Newton Lake: Kevin Cox Earns His First SIKC Victory as 2025 Comes to a Close
Season Finale at Newton Lake: Kevin Cox Earns His First SIKC Victory as 2025 Comes to a Close

The 2025 SIKC season ended with heart and celebration at Newton Lake, where Kevin Cox earned his first club victory. Wil Abbott landed Big Bass honors, and Darren Hemker claimed yet another Top 3. Season titles went to Dalton Williams (AOY), Keith Gressler (ROY), and Kevin Cox (Pineapple Man of the Year) — wrapping up a season to remember!

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Persistence Pays at Pyramid: Darren Hemker Breaks Through for the Win
Persistence Pays at Pyramid: Darren Hemker Breaks Through for the Win

Blistering heat and tough bites defined Stop #5 at Pyramid State Park, but Darren Hemker powered through with jigs and chatterbaits to earn the win and Big Bass honors. Dalton Williams and Kevin Cox rounded out the Top 3, setting the stage for a thrilling AOY and Rookie of the Year showdown at Newton Lake.

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Triple Threat at Cedar Lake: Dalton Williams Scores His Third Straight Win
Triple Threat at Cedar Lake: Dalton Williams Scores His Third Straight Win

Cedar Lake brought the heat and the action as Dalton Williams claimed his third straight win with 92.75”. The Bryson family battled for the podium, and Doug Keys stole the spotlight with a 22.5” giant to win Big Bass. With energy high and AOY points tight, SIKC now heads to Pyramid State Park for Stop #5!

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Sangchris Lake Shines: Dalton Williams Goes Back-to-Back
Sangchris Lake Shines: Dalton Williams Goes Back-to-Back

Sangchris Lake delivered another thrilling stop in the 2025 SIKC season as Dalton Williams went back-to-back with 92.50” and a 21.50” big bass. Strong showings from Larry Horne and Darren Hemker kept the leaderboard tight, while sponsors like RAILBLAZA and Midwest Kayak Company helped make this one of the year’s best events yet.

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SIKC Diaper Derby: A Day of Fun, Family, and Fishing
SIKC Diaper Derby: A Day of Fun, Family, and Fishing

The first-ever SIKC Diaper Derby was all heart — a relaxed, for-fun event to celebrate the Lincoln family and welcome their newest member. Perfect weather, laughter, and generous diaper donations made for an unforgettable day on the water. Congratulations to champion Wil Abbott and all who helped make it a true SIKC classic!

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Grinding It Out at Otter Lake: SIKC Stop #2 Tests Every Angler
Grinding It Out at Otter Lake: SIKC Stop #2 Tests Every Angler

Otter Lake tested every SIKC angler with tough bites and stormy skies, but Dalton Williams rose to the challenge, taking the win and reclaiming the AOY lead. With standout performances from returning veteran Nate Barto and perennial contender Darren Hemker, Stop #2 proved that even the hardest days can showcase the best of our club.

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Coffeen Lake Kicks Off a Record-Breaking 2025 Season for SIKC
Coffeen Lake Kicks Off a Record-Breaking 2025 Season for SIKC

The 2025 SIKC season kicked off in spectacular fashion at Coffeen Lake, where near-perfect weather and fired-up bass led to record-breaking catches. Twenty-two anglers topped 80”, and newcomer Wade Hobaugh set a new club record with an incredible 98.50” to claim first place. With strong showings from rookies and veterans alike, Coffeen Lake set the tone for what’s shaping up to be an unforgettable season.

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Susie Roloff Crowned Champion at the 4th Annual SIKC Classic on Cedar Lake
Susie Roloff Crowned Champion at the 4th Annual SIKC Classic on Cedar Lake

The 2025 season kicked off with the 4th Annual SIKC Classic on Cedar Lake, where Susie Roloff claimed back-to-back titles to become our newest Classic Champion. Battling wind and rain, anglers pushed through tough conditions, with Brady Barlow taking second, Dalton Williams third, and Joshua Lincoln earning Big Bass honors with a 21.50” giant.

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Clash of the Clans – 2025

In 2025, SIKC made another attempt to host the Clash of the Clans, originally planned as a head-to-head showdown against the KBL team from Northern Illinois. While KBL ultimately wasn’t able to attend, the event still delivered a fun and competitive twist.

Rather than cancel, the format pivoted to a three-person team event, keeping the competitive spirit alive and giving anglers a chance to work together on the water. The teamwork, strategy, and camaraderie on display made it a highlight of the season.

Taking home the win was the team of Kendall Mezo, Wade Hobaugh, and Larry Horne, who worked seamlessly together to outperform the field and claim bragging rights for the event along with a nice check.

Even with the last-minute format change, the Clash of the Clans proved to be a success—and it remains a concept we look forward to growing in future seasons.

2025 SIKC Master Angler Series

New for 2025, the SIKC Master Angler Series added a unique twist to the season by challenging anglers to showcase their versatility across multiple species. This month-to-month series required competitors to target a different species each month, rewarding adaptability, preparation, and well-rounded angling skills.

From start to finish, Kendall Mezo put on a dominant performance, consistently delivering across species and conditions to clean house in the inaugural Master Angler Series. Kendall’s consistency and execution earned him the top spot and set the bar high for future seasons.

Finishing 2nd place was Darren Hemker, whose steady results throughout the series kept the race competitive. Paul Terry rounded out the podium in 3rd place, proving his ability to stay versatile and competitive month after month.

The Master Angler Series quickly became a fan favorite and added an exciting new layer to the 2025 season.

2025 AOY Standings (Final Top 5)

1️⃣ Dalton Williams — Angler of the Year Champion
2️⃣ Darren Hemker
3️⃣ Kevin Cox
4️⃣ Jonathan Kessler
5️⃣ Jerry Bryson

The AOY race came down to the wire, with Dalton’s consistency and three straight wins earning him back-to-back titles.

Full Standings (Member's Only)
Trophies of fish with fish-shaped figures on top on a table at an outdoor event near a lake, with a banner displaying logos of Southern Illinois Kayak Club and related sponsors in the background.
Man smiling outdoors holding multiple fishing trophies near a river with trees in the background.
A man with a beard, sunglasses, and a gray cap holding a trophy shaped like a pineapple in front of a river and trees.
A man in sunglasses and a cap stands outdoors near a lake, holding several trophies, with a second-place trophy and a plaque on the ground in front of him, surrounded by grass and green trees.
Three men standing outdoors by a river bank holding oversized checks for fishing tournament prizes, with trees in the background. The man on the left holds a check for $114, the man in the middle holds a check for $684, and the man on the right holds
A man standing outdoors near a body of water holding a large mock check. The check is for $342.00 from Southern Illinois Kayak Club, made out to Wil Abbott for 2nd place in a contest on August 9, 2025. The man is smiling and wearing a hat and sunglas
Man with a beard and sunglasses holding a large check for $684 at the river's edge, surrounded by green grass and trees, with a calm river in the background.
Young man with curly hair holding a large check outdoors by a river with green trees in the background.
Man holding an award plaque near a river with green trees in the background
Person fishing on a kayak on calm water with lush green trees in the background.
Man fishing on a kayak in a lake surrounded by green trees.
A person sitting on a kayak on a lake, holding a fish and smiling. The kayak has fishing rods and gear, with a background of trees and a cloudy sky.
Three men standing outdoors holding large checks for kayak event prizes, with green trees and grass in the background. The man on the left holds a check for second place, $360. The man in the center holds first place, $720. The man on the right holds
Man holding a large green fish cutout with text and logos in a park setting
A man standing outdoors in a grassy area with trees in the background, holding a large check for $360 made out to Nicholas Bryson from Southern Illinois Kayak Club, dated July 19, 2025, for 2nd place at Cedar Lake.
A man with short, gray hair and sunglasses on his head is smiling and holding a large check. The check is from Southern Illinois Kayak Club for $120.00, awarded for 3rd place at Cedar Lake. The man is standing outdoors on a grassy area with trees and
Young man in outdoor clothing holding a large check from Southern Illinois Kayak Club for $720, awarded for 1st place at Cedar Lake, standing on green grass with trees in the background.
Young man with curly hair and a baseball cap smiling while holding a large check in front of Sangchris Lake with a wooded shoreline in the background.
Two men standing outdoors by a lake holding boxes of kayak and canoe accessories, with trees and water in the background.
Young man standing by a lake holding a fish-shaped sign that reads 'Big Bass $245.00' with logos for heads up taxidermy and Midwest kayak. He is smiling and wearing a beige fishing jersey with several sponsor patches and a cap.
A man holding a large check standing near Sangchris Lake with lush green trees in the background.
A man in a beige kayak fishing jersey holding a large check in front of a lake with trees in the background, celebrating first place at a kayak fishing competition.
Three men standing outdoors near a lake, holding large checks for fishing competition prizes. The man on the left wears a blue hoodie and a beige cap, holding a check for third place. The man in the middle wears a light-colored fishing jersey, sungla
Four people fishing on boats on a calm lake during sunset, with trees and a cloudy sky in the background.
A man wearing sunglasses and a cap is carrying a large amount of baby supplies, including boxes of diapers and pull-ups, by a lake with a dock and trees in the background.
A man smiling outdoors, holding a trophy in his left hand and a box of Huggies diapers in his right hand, standing near a lake with trees in the background.
Young man standing outdoors on a dock, holding a large check for $150.00, awarded for third place in a kayak race at Otter Lake, with a lake and trees in the background.
A man with glasses, a beard, and an orange hat smiling while holding a large check. The check is from the Southern Illinois Kayak Club, made out to Nate Barto for $451.00, dated 5/13/25, and indicates second place at Otter Lake. The background shows
Young man smiling while holding a large fish-shaped sign that reads 'Big Bass' and a prize of $270.00, standing by a body of water with trees in the background.
Three men on a dock holding large checks, smiling, with water and trees in the background. The man on the left has a white beard and glasses, wearing an orange hat and brown jacket. The man in the middle has short hair, wearing a beige and gray jacke
A man in fishing attire holding a large check for $902 in front of a lake, smiling. The check is from Southern Illinois Kayak Club, dated 5/13/25, awarded to Dalton Williams for first place at Otter Lake.
A man standing in front of a lake holding a large check for third place with the date 4-12-25 and amount of $154.00, wearing a blue patterned shirt, sunglasses on his head, and a cap. Trees with sparse leaves can be seen in the background.
A man standing by a lake holding a large check for second place at Southern Illinois Kayak Club, dated April 12, 2025, payable to Keith Gressler for $462.00, with a background of water and trees with some early spring foliage.
Man holding a large check at a lake during daytime, wearing sunglasses and a cap, with trees in the background.
A man holding a large green fish-shaped sign that reads Big Bass, $280, stands outdoors near a body of water with trees in the background. He is wearing a fishing jersey and a cap, sunglasses, and khaki shorts.
Two men standing on a lakeshore holding kayak and canoe equipment boxes, with water and trees in the background on a sunny day.
Three men standing by a lake holding oversized checks, with trees and blue sky in the background.
A man fishing on a calm lake in a small boat with fishing rods, wearing a blue jacket, beige shorts, sunglasses, and a hat, surrounded by green trees.
Woman holding a wooden award trophy with an Illinois emblem, standing near a lake with a floating dock in the background.
Three people standing outdoors near a lake, holding large checks. The person on the left has a beard, is wearing a dark jacket and hat, and holds a check for second place. The person in the middle, a woman, is wearing sunglasses and a blue shirt, hol
A woman holding a large check in front of a lake with a small dock in the background. She is smiling and wearing a blue T-shirt with the SIKC logo, a baseball cap, and sunglasses on her head. The check is for Susie Roloff, issued by Southern Illinois
A smiling man holding a large check from the Southern Illinois Kayak Club, with a dock and water in the background.
A man with a beard and wearing a sports jersey and cap standing by a lake, holding a large green cutout of a fish with a price tag of $135.00, and the logo and text for HEADS UP TAXIDERMY.
Young man holding a large check for third place at a kayak competition, standing by a lake with a dock in the background, wearing a kayak racing outfit.
A man sitting in a kayak on a lake, holding a yellow device and fishing. The kayak has fishing gear and a fish caught on a line hanging over the side. A large black and white logo reading 'Ketch' is overlaid on the image.
A man fishing on a yellow kayak in a river with lush green trees in the background, advertising for DA BOMB Anchor Company.
A man fishing on a kayak in a lake with trees in autumn colors in the background, and a graphic logo for Midwest Kayak Co. with paddles and the text '2023 Midwest Kayak Co.'
A person fishing on a boat in a body of water, with trees in the background and a large red and black logo that reads 'INLINE' in the upper right corner.
Person fishing from a kayak on a river with dense green trees in the background, top banner with the Railblaza logo and name.
A person fishing on a red kayak in a lake, with a forested background, promoting Southern Illinois Kayak Club memberships.
A man in sunglasses, fishing gear, and a life jacket sits in a green kayak on a calm lake during daytime, surrounded by green trees. Next to the scene is a tournament schedule for the SIKC 2025, listing dates and locations of events from March to Sep