After a touring season that had his Lund/Mercury walleye boat on waters in Kentucky, Michigan, South Dakota, Arkansas, Illinois and Kansas, Gofron not only won the $35,000 Angler of the Year title, but set records doing it. He is one of the most respected In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail anglers, and owns these titles and records:

• 2005 Johnsonville Brats Angler of the Year
• 1999 Johnsonville Brats Angler of the Year
• 2001 Mercury Championship winner
• 2000 & 2004 PWT Tournament Winner
• PWT record 31 top-10 place finishes (places in the top 10 every other tournament)
• Earned $514,418 on tour (2nd all-time) Qualified for Championships every year on tour (13 seasons)
• 1998 & 2000 Optima Top Gun
• 1998 Realtree Sportsman of the Year
• Loyal to sponsors Lund, Mercury, Rapala, Berkley, Abu Garcia, Haling & Sons Marina, Carhartt, DeeZee truck accessories, Northland, Plano, Triangle Sports and Glyde Ryde seats for all 13 years on tour

The Angler title carries a $25,000 reward, plus Gofron earned a $10,000 bonus from Mercury Marine. "This was a great year, but I didn’t think I had enough to beat my friend Mark Martin," he said. Martin, from Twin Lake, Mich., was only three points behind (406.59 to 403.71). The two room and travel together on tour. Gofron cashed checks in five checks in six qualifying tournaments, including three top 10 place finishes this season (2nd, 6th, and 8th). Martin also collected five checks, including 4th, 5th and 8th place trophies.

"The PWT Angler title is the toughest to win in the walleye world," said the only other 2-time Angler of the Year, Gary Parsons, Glidden, Wis. He did it back-to-back in 1993 and 1994, and has been near the top almost every year (12 of 16 years in the top 20). "In my opinion, this was the toughest PWT field ever assembled, consisting of the world’s most elite walleye fishermen. The pro who finished at the top of this group definitely deserves the accolades. Mike certainly was the man this year," Parsons said.

Gofron, age 40, still maintains a construction business, which he started at age 19 with a used backhoe. His parents live nearby and with wife Tami and daughter Lindsey and son Kyle, they travel to support him at tournaments.

The PWT pro-ams are invitationals with only the most qualified professional anglers competing. Amateurs/coanglers fish with pros during the 3-day events, in the pro’s boats, fishing with the pro’s tackle and fishing for the maximum boat-weight, which counts for both. They fish with a different pro partner each day, with amateurs/coanglers learning all they can about tactics, waters, electronics, boat-control, and the strategies of tournament fishing. Contact the PWT to become involved in 2006: call 218-829-0620.

Gofron will lead the field onto Milford Lake during the Mercury Championship near Junction City, Kansas, Sept. 16-18.

The PWT is an integral element of the In-Fisherman Communications Network headquartered in Brainerd, Minnesota, and PRIMEDIA, America’s leading producer of targeted media. PWT promotional partners include: Mercury Marine, Lund, The Outdoor Channel, Berkley, Optima Batteries, Realtree, MotorGuide, Lowrance, MinnKota, Trilene, Frenzy, Blue Fox, Powerbait, Johnsonville Brats, Northland Fishing Tackle, Lindy Legendary Fishing Tackle, GULP!, Coleman, Storm, Boat Buckle, Smooth Moves Seat Mounts, Kwik Pfyt, E-Z Loader, Raymarine, Rapala, Matzuo, Pflueger, Ram rod holders, Gerbing’s Heated Clothing, Aqua-Vu, Save Phace, Plano, Stowmaster, Navionics, Access Roll-up Cover, Yellow Bird, DOW Chemical, Dave’s Lures, The State Bank Group, Yo-Zuri and Reef Runner. The PWT is an integral element of the In-Fisherman Communications Network headquartered in Brainerd, Minnesota, and PRIMEDIA, America’s leading producer of targeted media.