TICONDEROGA — James Schneider of Watervliet won the Walmart Bass Fishing League Empire Division tournament on Lake Champlain Saturday with a five-bass catch weighing 20 pounds, 10 ounces.

The victory earned Schneider $3,505 and placed him one step closer to qualifying for the Potomac River Regional Championship in Marbury, Md., Oct. 8-10, where he could ultimately win a new Ranger boat and a Chevy truck.

Schneider said he caught his fish on a jig around shallow wood near shorelines.

Rounding out the top five boaters are Johnpaul Pelletier of Nassau (five bass, 19-13, $1,753); Jamie Hartman of Poland, N.Y. (five bass, 19-8, $1,169); Jim Sweeney of West Dover, Vt. (five bass, 18-8, $818) and Jeff Zakrzewski of Ballston Spa (five bass, 18-2, $701).

William Allie of Wynantskill, N.Y., took home the Boater Division Big Bass award, earning $440 for a 5-pound, 9-ounce bass he caught.

Jerry Knier of Muncy, Pa., earned $1,753 as the co-angler winner Saturday thanks to five bass weighing 16 pounds, 4 ounces.

Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Michael Carter of Lake Clear (five bass, 14-4, $876); Robert Secrist of Caneadea (five bass, 13-12, $585); William Frey of Bloomfield (five bass, 13-0, $409); and John Buries of Montoursville, Pa. (five bass, 12-9, $351).

Matt Davis of Milford, N.H., earned $220 as the co-angler Big Bass winner after catching a 6-pound, 8-ounce bass.

The next Empire Division event will be held on Great Sacandaga Lake in Mayfield Sept. 26-27.