DEVILS LAKE, N.D. – With the safety of the anglers being their utmost concern Friday, the FLW Outdoors tournament staff decided to cancel day three of Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour competition on Devils Lake.

Late Thursday afternoon a brutal cold front roared through North Dakota’s lake region, carrying dangerously high winds. According to the latest weather reports, winds of 32 to 35 mph were expected with gusts of up to 40 mph. While the winds were likely the main cause of the cancellation, severe thunderstorms are also being forecasted.

Sonny Reynolds, director of walleye operations, notified the field at approximately 7:30 a.m.

With no weigh-in Friday, the leaderboard from day two for both the pros and co-anglers remained unchanged.

Paul Meleen of Isle, Minn., the pro leader with 46 pounds, 8 ounces, was disappointed with the decision.

“It is one less day on the water, but in all fairness, I wish we could have gone out there,” said Meleen. “Hopefully that will free up my spot for tomorrow.”

Weather cooperating, the final day of FLW Walleye Tour competition on Devils Lake begins as the 10 pro and 10 co-angler finalists take off from Grahams Island State Park at 7 a.m. Central time Saturday. Saturday’s weigh-in will be held at the Wal-Mart store located in Devils Lake, beginning at 4 p.m. The winner in both divisions is determined by the heaviest three-day weight.