Walt McCree Wins SIKC Tournament #6 at Newton Lake
The 2026 Southern Illinois Kayak Club regular season came to a close September 19 at Newton Lake, with 32 anglers competing in the sixth and final Angler of the Year event of the season.
The field combined to submit 217 fish, and the top of the leaderboard produced several strong five-fish limits as anglers battled for the final tournament win of the regular season and their last opportunity to improve their position in the 2026 AOY standings.
McCree Takes the Win
Walt McCree closed the season in impressive fashion, putting together a five-fish limit measuring 94.25 inches to earn the victory.
McCree's winning bag included:
20.25"
18.75"
18.50"
18.50"
18.25"
Kevin Cox finished second with 92.25 inches, just two inches behind McCree. Jonathan Kessler rounded out the podium with 89.75 inches.
Top 5
Walt McCree — 94.25"
Kevin Cox — 92.25"
Jonathan Kessler — 89.75"
Jeremy Wikgren — 89.00"
Dustin Fugitt — 88.25"
Less than six inches separated first through fifth place, creating a competitive finish to the 2026 regular-season schedule.
Austin Weidhuner Claims Big Bass
The biggest fish of the event belonged to Austin Weidhuner, who submitted a 20.50-inch largemouth to earn Event Big Fish honors.
Brandon Neuzil also submitted a 20.50-inch bass during the tournament, while McCree added a 20.25-inch fish as part of his winning limit.
Newton produced quality fish throughout the day, with several anglers appearing on the hourly leaderboard as the tournament progressed.
Closing Out the 2026 Regular Season
Newton Lake marked the sixth and final regular-season event of the 2026 SIKC schedule and the final opportunity for anglers to earn points toward the Angler of the Year standings.
From the opening event through the September finale, the season featured close finishes, big bass, new names near the top of the leaderboard, and another year of competitive kayak bass fishing across Southern Illinois.
Congratulations to Walt McCree on the Newton Lake victory, Austin Weidhuner on Big Bass, and all of the anglers who competed throughout the 2026 season.
SIKC would also like to thank our board members, tournament judges, volunteers, sponsors, and members for the time and effort required to make another season possible.
Thank You to Our 2026 Sponsors
RAILBLAZA
Thrasher Sports Apparel
Midwest Kayak Company
Ketch Products Inc.
Spittin Image Jigs
Kayak Bass Connection
Kistler
Missile Baits
Freaky Franks
Big Bass Chris Designs
