Trophy Tales: Zack, 9, nets a 29-inch walleye

Tyler Wells 7, Zack Wells 9 and Noah Wells 5, Princeton

29-inch walleye

Long Lake

(As told by Dad, Erik Wells)

"We were fishing from the dock when I went up to the house due to a marshmallow shortage, leaving Zack, Tyler and Noah to tend the lines. Tyler noticed one of the lines baited with a minnow was moving, so he picked up the rod and set the hook. I watched from the window as they worked like a team with Tyler reeling the fish in, Zack ready with the net and Noah giving Tyler instructions to keep his rod tip up. Zack netted the 29-inch walleye, followed by fist pumping and high fives all around. They are all very proud that they now have caught a bigger walleye than dad and grandpa -- all on their own."

FIRST TIME FISH: Michelle DeKenis of Cambridge, Mass, who graduated this spring from Macalester College in St. Paul, caught this 37-inch northern in the BWCA during her first-ever fishing trip.

MONSTER NORTHERN: Max Vergeldt, 14, of International Falls was speed-trolling on Rainy Lake when this 40-inch northern hit. Everyone in the boat told him he was snagged, but he just kept reeling and eventually landed and released this 20-pounder.