Illinois River Kickstarts the ‘25 Season with Maney and Wick as Champions

Illinois River Kickstarts the ‘25 Season with Maney and Wick as Champions

Presented By: Lowrance

Ponca City, Oklahoma – March 24, 2025 – The Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit returned to Spring Valley, Illinois to fish the Illinois River for annual start to the season. With much better weather patterns than previous years, although not stable, anglers were excited to compete in the March sunshine. Day one started off with a bang, as local legend Steve “Pinky” Sandor and his son Adam Sandor took a healthy half pound lead with the largest bag of the event at 15 pounds and 7 ounces in their 31st appearance at Spring Valley to compete with the MWC.

Hot on their tail in second place with 14 pounds and 14 ounces after day 1 was the Wisconsin team of Tyler Maney and Thor Wick. Having fished a few Spring Valley tournaments as far back as the FLW days, they had a good understanding of how the Illinois River lays out. They were fishing a large clam bed that is well known but had the area of Red Can to themselves. Pulling three-ways with custom painted floating Rapalas was their ticket to success, catching one or two fish a pass and doing it again. They sorted and upgraded pre-spawn female saugers to steal the lead early on day 2 with a 10 pound 15 ounce bag, for a total of 25 pounds and 13 ounces that was enough to hold on to first place through weigh-in.

Earning a champions trophy in this Illinois River Masters Walleye Circuit Qualifier also comes with a paid berth into the 2026 National Team Championship. Tyler Maney and Thor Wick took home $12,400 in cash, the NTC prize package valued at $1000 consisting of custom NTC jerseys, custom NTC plaques, and a cash travel stipend, and the Ranger Cup bonus of $8,000 for a total of $21,400 in cash and prizes!

Additionally, many teams had very respectable weights and took home awards as well:

2nd: Chris Clemmons & Robert Hausler, 24-14, $6,100 Cash, $5,700 Option Pot Cash, and a

Brand New Lowrance Ghost Trolling Motor Valued at $3749

3rd: Corey Blair Kevin Hanson, 24-13, $4,150 Cash, $3,100 Option Pot Cash, and the

Lowrance Exclusive Bonus of $750

4th: Adam Sandor & Steve Sandor, 24-05, $3,150 Cash, $2,260 Option Pot Cash

5th: Dan Johnson & Walter Price, 24-05, $2,600 Cash, $1,840 Option Pot Cash

6th: Michael Martin Jr & Dusty Culjan, 23-07, $2,300 Cash, $1,840 Option Pot Cash, and the

Lowrance Ghost or Recon Trolling Motor Bonus of $500

Overall, 93 two-man teams competed in this event representing 9 different states, catching 653 fish for a total of 1261 pounds of healthy Illinois river sauger, saugeye, and walleye.

The Big Fish award on the Illinois River is consistently won by a team that manages to find a pre-spawn walleye. Day 1 was won by a walleye that weighed 6lbs and 9oz caught by Ryan Feldott and Brandon Samolitis. Day 2 Big Fish was held by Dan Johnson and Walter Price with a healthy 4lbs and 12oz. Respectively, both teams were awarded their cash prize and a sponsorship package from Salmo Java consisting of two aero presses, coffee, and hats.

As part of the 2025 MWC season, anglers will vie for a coveted spot in the 2026 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s World Walleye Championship in Devil’s Lake North Dakota. Teams can participate in as many events as they wish, with points earned in at least three qualifiers necessary for an invitation to the World Walleye Championship. MWC’s “Living the Dream” team, using points from four qualifiers throughout the regular season, will earn a sponsorship package valued up to $15,000 which includes a spot to compete in the National Team Championship and up to four paid MWC events.

Each MWC event has a lucrative payout which is based on the number of teams entered into that event. Overall payout is awarded to 20% of the field, providing more inspiration to sign up and join the fun. In addition to a hefty check, the first-place team also earns a $1,000 Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s National Team Championship (NTC) prize package including: paid entry, a travel stipend, team jerseys, and plaques. Additionally, the big-fish pot, option-pot and sponsor bonuses will add thousands more for distribution among the field.

Under the umbrella of The Walleye Federation (TWF), the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit is North America’s longest running and undisputed leader in team walleye tournaments since 1984 and as an inductee into the freshwater fishing hall of fame, has set the standard for competitive walleye fishing for the past 40+ years. The 2025 schedule includes six qualifiers in six states, plus berths into the 2026 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s MWC World Walleye Championship on Devils Lake, North Dakota.

Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s are looking forward to their 24th season as title sponsor of the Masters Walleye Circuit. Official sponsors include: Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, and Ranger Boats. Associate sponsors include: The Walleye Federation, T-H Marine and Salmo Java Coffee.

For more information, contact support@masterswalleyecircuit.com or call (580) 765-9031.

Looking Forward to the Second Stop of the Masters Walleye Circuit ’25 Season

Lake Erie is the Second Stop for the 2025 Bass Pro Shop’s and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit

Presented by: Ranger Boats

Ponca City, Oklahoma – March 4, 2025 – The anglers of the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit are preparing to battle it out on big waters, looking for big bites on Lake Erie out of Port Clinton, Ohio this April. Each team will be able to weigh five fish over 15 inches, but with Lake Erie being such a prime ecosystem for these fish to grow so big so fast, it is going to take the top of the year class to win it.

Typically, on Lake Erie, anglers have favored trolling large stick baits over flats to target the large schools of walleye. However, times are changing as techniques are expanding, such as casting key structure points, whether off islands or weed beds. The 7lb average “target goal” is always a very respectable achievement, but the timing of the event will force anglers to look for pre-spawn giants.

The Masters Walleye Circuit will again be running this as a joint event with the Lake Erie Walleye Trail, allowing anglers to fish both events simultaneously, subsequently offering opportunities to win thousands more in cash and prizes.

Event specifics include a 7:00 am (EST) take-off each day from the Jefferson Street Pier, given safe light conditions, and live weigh-ins at Waterworks Park in Port Clinton, OH at 3:15 pm on April 11-12, 2025. Spectators are welcomed to join in person as the weigh-in is free and open to the public, or follow the action live online at masterswalleyecircuit.com or on the official Facebook page, facebook.com/MastersWalleyeCircuit.

Registration for this tournament on the Lake Erie out of Port Clinton, Ohio closes on Monday, April 7, 2025. Teams that are interested in signing up should visit:

www.masterswalleyecircuit.com/registration

or call

Federation National Office at (580) 765-9031.

As part of the 2025 MWC season, anglers will vie for a coveted spot in the 2026 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s World Walleye Championship in Devil’s Lake North Dakota. Teams can participate in as many events as they wish, with points earned in at least three qualifiers necessary for an invitation to the World Walleye Championship. MWC’s “Living the Dream” team, using points from four qualifiers throughout the regular season, will earn a sponsorship package valued up to $15,000 which includes a spot to compete in the National Team Championship and up to four paid MWC events.

Each MWC event has a lucrative payout which is based on the number of teams entered into that event. Overall payout is awarded to 20% of the field, providing more inspiration to sign up and join the fun. In addition to a hefty check, the first-place team also earns a $1,000 Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s National Team Championship (NTC) prize package including: paid entry, a travel stipend, team jerseys, and plaques. Additionally, the big-fish pot, option-pot and sponsor bonuses will add thousands more for distribution among the field.

Under the umbrella of The Walleye Federation (TWF), the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit is North America’s longest running and undisputed leader in team walleye tournaments since 1984 and as an inductee into the freshwater fishing hall of fame, has set the standard for competitive walleye fishing for the past 40+ years. The 2025 schedule includes six qualifiers in six states, plus berths into the 2026 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s MWC World Walleye Championship on Devils Lake, North Dakota.

Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s are looking forward to their 24th season as title sponsor of the Masters Walleye Circuit. Official sponsors include: Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, and Ranger Boats. Associate sponsors include: The Walleye Federation, T-H Marine and Salmo Java Coffee.

For more information, contact support@masterswalleyecircuit.com or call (580) 765-9031.

First Event of the Year is Right Around the Corner!

Illinois River’s Return as the First Stop of the 2025 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit Season

Presented by: Lowrance

Ponca City, Oklahoma – February 3rd, 2025 – The Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit is prepped for take-off of its 42nd season with its annual return to the Illinois River in Spring Valley, presented by Lowrance. Anglers from across the country look to this event as a mark of spring finally arriving, although it comes with its own set of challenges when mother nature decides winter isn’t over.

The Masters Walleye Circuit and its anglers will once again be assisting the Illinois DNR with their phenomenal stocking program that keeps this river system loaded with the quality saugers that will be coming across the stage for weigh-in. Although the saugers in the Illinois River are very healthy, this event has a history of needing to find the golden ticket of a 6+ pound pre-spawn walleye in order to secure a top spot.

When asked about looking forward to the first event of the season, Masters Walleye Circuit Tournament Director and On Stage Announcer, Jeff Kelm gave his outlook, “Each year I look forward to seeing old and new faces, this is year is no different. I often hear that it must be fun to visit so many great places, and it is, but its all the anglers and the people involved in making these events happen that make it so exciting to attend.”

Event specifics include a 7:30 am (CDT) take-off each day, given safe light conditions, and live weigh-ins both at the Spring Valley Boat Club at 3:30 pm (CDT) on March 21-22, 2025. Spectators are welcomed to join in person as the weigh-in is free and open to the public, or follow the action live online at masterswalleyecircuit.com or on the official Facebook page, facebook.com/MastersWalleyeCircuit.

Registration for this tournament on the Illinois River out of Spring Valley, Illinois closes on Monday, March 17, 2025. Teams that are interested in signing up should visit:

www.masterswalleyecircuit.com/registration

or call

Federation National Office at (580) 765-9031.

As part of the 2025 MWC season, anglers will vie for a coveted spot in the 2026 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s World Walleye Championship in Devil’s Lake North Dakota. Teams can participate in as many events as they wish, with points earned in at least three qualifiers necessary for an invitation to the World Walleye Championship. MWC’s “Living the Dream” team, using points from four qualifiers throughout the regular season, will earn a sponsorship package valued up to $15,000 which includes a spot to compete in the National Team Championship and up to four paid MWC events.

Each MWC event has a lucrative payout which is based on the number of teams entered into that event. Overall payout is awarded to 20% of the field, providing more inspiration to sign up and join the fun. In addition to a hefty check, the first-place team also earns a $1,000 Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s National Team Championship (NTC) prize package including: paid entry, a travel stipend, team jerseys, and plaques. Additionally, the big-fish pot, option-pot and sponsor bonuses will add thousands more for distribution among the field.

Under the umbrella of The Walleye Federation (TWF), the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit is North America’s longest running and undisputed leader in team walleye tournaments since 1984 and as an inductee into the freshwater fishing hall of fame, has set the standard for competitive walleye fishing for the past 40+ years. The 2025 schedule includes six qualifiers in six states, plus berths into the 2026 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s MWC World Walleye Championship on Devils Lake, North Dakota.

Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s are looking forward to their 24th season as title sponsor of the Masters Walleye Circuit. Official sponsors include: Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, Lew’s Fishing, Dakota Lithium, and Ranger Boats. Associate sponsors include: The Walleye Federation, T-H Marine and Salmo Java Coffee.

For more information, contact support@masterswalleyecircuit.com or call (580) 765-9031.

Registration is NOW for the 2025 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit!

2025 Masters Walleye Circuit Registration NOW OPEN!  
Presented By: Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s

Ponca City, Oklahoma – January 27, 2025 – As with winter is hitting hard across the country, many are beginning to look forward to spring and the next open water season. The Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit is proud to announce that registration for it’s 42nd season in 2025, is now open at www.masterswalleyecircuit.com/registration, or call the national office at (580)765-9031.

Teams of 2 anglers will be looking to place well in single events, but also to compete for all new Team of the Year status and a chance to gain entry into the 2026 World Walleye Championship at the destination location of Devils Lake in North Dakota. Teams looking to sign up early may do so NOW!

Anticipation for the new year is high as everyone gets ready.

“There is always something to look at and study, always something to tweak,” says Masters Walleye Circuit Tournament Director Jeff Kelm. “New increased Team of the Year payout, new equipment, new techniques, and new waters; it’s all part of the fun of getting ready for the next season.”

The Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit always strives to fish “the best waters at the best times,” and that holds true to this year as much as ever. The 2025 schedule for the MWC was released earlier this year in August of 2024, and no changes have been made. To recap for those who are eagerly awaiting early sign up, here are the locations anglers will be given the opportunity to prove themselves as Champions:

March 21-22 – Illinois River, Spring Valley, Illinois
April 11-12 – Lake Erie, Port Clinton, Ohio
May 2-3 – Lake Petenwell, Rome, Wisconsin
May 30-31 – Lake Oahe, Mobridge, South Dakota
July 18-19 – Bay De Noc, Gladstone, Michigan
September 12-13 – Cass Lake, Cass Lake, Minnesota

2025 World Walleye Championship (WWC) – October 9-11, Alexandria, MN (Le Homme Dieu Chain) (2024 Season Qualifiers)

2026 World Walleye Championship (WWC) – Devils Lake, North Dakota (2025 Season Qualifiers)

Each MWC qualifying event has a lucrative payout which is based on the number of teams entered and is awarded to 20% of the field. In all, the MWC totaled over 150% for the 2023 season after wrapping up the World Walleye Championship where payback numbers were a staggering 480%. 2024’s regular season qualifiers payback was 146%, with the World Walleye Championship in October 2025 expecting to push that number even higher. Additionally, the big-fish pot, option-pot and sponsor bonuses will add thousands more to the field at each event.

MWC will once again offer “Premier Team” status for those teams that sign up for at least (3) events at once, prior to fishing their first event of the year. Premier Team status is our way of saying “Thank You” for the commitment to fishing the Masters Walleye Circuit and comes with multiple benefits such as the use of a pre-designated substitute, delayed billing, and more. Teams earning points in at least four qualifiers compete for the ALL NEW FOR 2025 “Team of The Year” (TOY) honors, including a INCREASED Team Of The Year Sponsorship package by 50% to $15,000.00 in cash and prizes, NTC spots, and thousands more in cash and prizes are awarded to the top team in the TOY race. All teams may fish as many events as they wish during a season and their three (3) best scores are counted toward earning a coveted invitation to the 2026 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s World Walleye Championship.

Under the umbrella of The Walleye Federation (TWF), the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit is North America’s longest running and undisputed leader in team walleye tournaments since 1984 and as an inductee into the freshwater fishing hall of fame, has set the standard for competitive walleye fishing for the past 40+ years. The 2025 schedule includes six qualifiers in six states, plus berths into the 2026 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s MWC World Walleye Championship on Devils Lake, North Dakota.

Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s are looking forward to their 24th season as title sponsor of the Masters Walleye Circuit. Official sponsors include: Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, Lew’s Fishing, Dakota Lithium, and Ranger Boats. Associate sponsors include: The Walleye Federation, T-H Marine and Salmo Java Coffee. For more information, support@masterswalleyecircuit.com or call (580) 765-9031.