Eds: APNewsNow.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) A stay-at-home dad from Minnesota has won $1 million in what promoters call the largesy payday in fantasy sports.

Michael Thompson took the grand prize in America's first FLW Fantasy Fishing championship.

The online competition was the brainchild of Twin Cities businessman Irwin Jacobs, chairman of the FLW Outdoors fishing tournament circuits. Jacobs presented the 33-year-old St. Michael man with his ceremonial check in Columbia, South Carolina, Thursday.

Fantasy fishing players in 122 countries around the world picked bass pros who fished in seven Walmart FLW Tour tournaments, the nation's premier pro bass fishing circuit.

Thompson, an avid bass angler, is working toward finishing law enforcement school with a goal of some day working in the Wright County sheriff's office, where he volunteers. He'll get the money in 10 annual installments. He and his wife, Penny, say they'll pay off his boat, buy her a new car and build a new home.

On the Net: Fantasy Fishing: http://www.fantasyfishing.com (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 08-21-08 2133CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list