Bill Godin is now a three-time champion of the International Falls Bass Championship.

The owner of Lake Despair Lodge in Devlin teamed up this time with Bryan Gustafson of Kenora to reel in 38.6 pounds of bass.

Godin said it was tough fishing early on in the final day.

“We finally had a decent bag by about 10:30 a.m., but we didn’t catch a lot of fish, that’s for sure. It was pretty windy where we fished, and we worked for every one we got, that’s for sure,” said Godin.

Godin won with David Lindsay in 2014 and Leroy Wilson in 2019.

Gustafson was relieved to finally see the winner’s chair.

“I’ve been on a big second and third place streak here for the last three months, so I thought I forgot how to win. I’m feeling good,” remarked Gustafson.

Jon Balaski and Eric Olson of International Falls finished second with a two-day total of 38. 15 lbs.

Travis and Craig Peterson of Bemidji finished third with 37.91 lbs of bass.

First-day leaders Scott Dingwall and Jay Samsal slipped to fourth place with a total of 36.9 lbs.