2027 Masters Walleye Circuit Schedule Released

  • Filed under MWC News

  • September 3, 2026

2027 Masters Walleye Circuit Schedule Released

Ponca City, Okla. Sept 3, 2026 – The Masters Walleye Circuit (MWC), the premier team walleye circuit since 1984, is excited to announce its 44th season in 2027 with six qualifying events leading to the World Walleye Championship on Wisconsin’s Lake Winnebago.

For more than four decades, MWC has built its reputation around top level team competition and great walleye fisheries.  Through its history MWC has evolved while remaining true to that format.

As the 2026 qualifying season winds to close in a couple weeks at Cass Lake, MN Sept 18-19 (registration for that event closes Monday Sept 14, still time to get in!). MWC has had a strong showing in 2026 with average anglers per event numbers up, angler satisfaction high and reenforcing that team events are the “go to” in competitive fishing across the nation.

For 2027 MWC will continue to lead with a diverse schedule across multiple states so that more anglers will have an event in their back yard and teams that travel can split expenses to lower costs. That combination of competition, friendships and fun, a team tradition with great paybacks each season will remain at the heart of the MWC.

“I really like the way the 2027 schedule came together,” said MWC Tournament Director Jeff Kelm. “We have a good mix of fisheries, and anglers are going to have to be able to adapt throughout the season. You’re going from the Illinois River in March to Lake Erie, Big Stone, Bay de Noc, Oahe and Cass Lake before finishing the year on Winnebago. They’re all very different fisheries, and that’s part of what makes the MWC special.”

The 2027 Masters Walleye Circuit schedule, pending permit approvals from the various agencies, is:

March 19–20 – Illinois River, Spring Valley, IL

April 16–17 – Lake Erie, Sandusky, OH

May 21–22 – Big Stone Lake, Ortonville, MN

June 18–19 – Bay de Noc, Escanaba, MI

August 5–6 – Lake Oahe, Mobridge, SD

September 17–18 – Cass Lake, Cass Lake, MN

October 14–16 – The 44th World Walleye Championship, Lake Winnebago, Oshkosh, WI

There is plenty to look forward to throughout the 2027 season. The April stop on Lake Erie has all the makings of a slugfest, with the potential for some very big fish to cross the MWC stage. In May, it will be great to return to Big Stone Lake after a few years away, working once again with the Big Stone Lake Area Chamber of Commerce in Ortonville.

The MWC will return to Escanaba and Bay de Noc, MI in June, where the Delta Area Chamber of Commerce and Visit Escanaba are excited to once again welcome MWC anglers. August brings the circuit back to Lake Oahe and Mobridge, SD where the Mobridge Area Chamber of Commerce has been a fantastic partner and is excited to have the MWC back in town.

The final qualifier of the season once again will be Cass Lake and Stony Point Resort, a favorite stop enjoyed by MWC anglers and staff alike. From there, the top teams in the walleye world heads to Lake Winnebago for the World Walleye Championship. Discover Oshkosh has proven to be a top partner of anglers and the MWC anywhere in the country and its centrally located community in the heart of walleye world, makes Oshkosh a fitting place to bring the 2027 season to a close and crown the next World Walleye Champions.

For more than four decades, the Masters Walleye Circuit has brought teams together on some of the best walleye fisheries in the country. We’ve seen just about every kind of team along the way — family members across generations, longtime friends and fishing partners. The competition is serious, but one thing we hear again and again from anglers is pretty simple: the MWC is fun. 

Masters Walleye Circuit – The Premier Team Walleye Circuit Since 1984.

Masters Walleye Circuit Official Level Sponsors: Mercury Marine, Lowrance Electronics and Nitro Boats. Associate Sponsors: T-H Marine, Airsafe Hitch Products, National Professional Anglers Association and The Walleye Federation.

 

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

MWC Heads to Cass Lake for Season Finale and Team of the Year Showdown

MWC Heads to Cass Lake for Season Finale and Team of the Year Showdown

Presented by: Mercury

Ponca City, Oklahoma – August 28, 2026 – The Masters Walleye Circuit will be rounding out its regular season once again with an angler favorite of Cass Lake, out of Stony Point Resort in Cass Lake, MN on September 18-19. The Team of the Year points race is heated, with James Campbell Jr. and Randy Vike leading with a 14-point lead over the competition. They will fish right to the end to hold their place and hopefully walk away with the “Livin the Dream” package awarded to Team of the Year.

With teams both travelling and local, it is always a battle at Cass Lake. The 15,000+ acres of fishable water combined with the timing of Mid-September allows for anglers to search for fish in many different areas and use a large array of tactics, making it anybody’s ballgame. Cass Lake does have a slot limit in place – allowing 1 fish over 20” per angler, per day – with the rest being between 15”-20”. This often forms the outcome of the event, with teams needing a perfect understanding that their “unders” will have be as good as they get, just under that 20” mark.

Excitement runs high at Cass Lake each year the MWC returns with anglers and families looking back on the season and celebrating, while also looking forward to a break from the traveling. Often discussion will drift to the following year’s schedule, in this case the 2027 schedule, which will be announced before the event. Keep your eyes open for that press release, coming soon.

Tournament days will start each day with a 7:30 am (Central Time) take-off given safe light conditions, and live weigh-ins beginning at 3:30 pm (Central Time) on Friday and Saturday, September 18-19, 2026, both of which will be held at Stony Point Resort in Cass Lake, MN. Spectators are encouraged 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 Bitter Lake closes on Monday, September 14th, 2026. Teams that are interested in signing up should visit:

www.masterswalleyecircuit.com/registration

or call

Federation National Office at (580) 765-9031.

Updated points for the WWC are posted on the website and can be found HERE. These will be updated the week following each of the remaining events. For teams competing for the Team of The Year “Living the Dream” title and the rewards that come with it, points can be found HERE.

As part of the 2026 MWC season, anglers can compete for a coveted spot in the 2026 World Walleye Championship held in Devil’s Lake North Dakota. The 2026 WWC will be a one-time Dual Event with qualifying teams from 2025 and 2026, with a combined pot and, new to 2026 – a Brand-New Nitro ZV20 Powered By Mercury as the top prize. 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 $10,000 which includes a spot to compete in the National Team Championship and up to four, paid-in-full, 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 Masters Walleye Circuit (MWC) 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. MWC has set the standard for competitive walleye fishing for 42 years. The 2026 schedule includes six qualifiers in five states, plus berths into the 2026 MWC World Walleye Championship presented by Nitro boats in Devils Lake, North Dakota.  Stay tuned for more 2026 announcements at:

www.MastersWalleyeCircuit.com.

Masters Walleye Circuit Official Level Sponsors: Mercury Marine, Lowrance Electronics, and Nitro Boats. Associate Sponsors: TH Marine, Airsafe Hitch Products, National Professional Anglers Association, and The Walleye Federation.

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

Sweet Victory on Bitter Lake For Wilson and Korth

Sweet Victory on Bitter Lake For Wilson and Korth

Presented By: Nitro Boats

Wesbter, SD – August 24, 2026 – Bitter Lake showed out well for the 5th qualifier of the 2026 season of the Masters Walleye Circuit. With great weather and prime timing, teams caught fish every which way, and many brought limits to the scale. Being a no-cull state and fishing on a lake with a slot of one fish over 20” per angler, it took well thought out decision-making to have the biggest bag and secure a win.

Day 1 take-off came with nearly zero wind, and temps in the upper 50’s. With nearly 18,000 acres of fishable water, teams had a multitude of areas to choose from. Peter and Jared Mart took a lead on day 1 with an 8lb 1oz giant Bitter Lake Walleye to anchor their 21lb 10oz bag. In 18th place going into day 2 was Max Wilson with his sub, Rob Korth. They had a weight of 17lbs 14oz after boxing a mediocre over early in the day which limited them. Their goal for day 2 was simply to go out and catch a consistent bag to stay in check range and pick up some good Team of the Year points.

The stars seemed to align on day 2 for Wilson and Korth, making a relatively short run to fish the main basin for their overs. Their big fish of the day at 8lbs 5oz came early on a jig and plastic, taking a huge weight off their shoulders and allowing them to focus on finding the perfect unders for their bag. They switched to targeting weeds in under 15’ of water with reaction style baits and secured a bag that would weigh 21lbs and 11oz by 10:45 in the morning for a total of 39lbs and 9oz to win the event by a mere 2 ounces.

Max Wilson is no stranger to cashing checks in the Walleye World, now hoisting his 5th Trophy for the Masters Walleye Circuit and looking to add to his 3 previous Team of the Year Wins. Winning the 5th qualifier of the 2026 Masters Walleye Circuit on Bitter Lake with a total of 39lbs and 9oz, Max Wilson and Rob Korth earned a champions trophy and a paid berth into the 2027 National Team Championship. Wilson and Korth took home $12,300 in Cash, $3,900 in Option Pot Cash, the NTC prize package valued at $1000 consisting of custom NTC jerseys, custom NTC plaques, and a cash travel stipend, and the Big Fish Award on day 2 consisting of $1,860 in Cash, for a total of $19,060.

The remainder of the top 5 teams took home impressive prizes as well:

2nd: Jason Swartz & Cody Bruns, 39-07 $6,080 Cash, $2,648 Option Pot Cash

               & Lowrance Exclusive Bonus of $750

3rd: Steven Kincaid & Sean Kincaid, 38-01, $4,080 Cash

4th: Jack Lee & Gavin Hibbert, 37-13, $3,100 Cash

5th: James Campbell Jr. & Randy Vike, 36-08, $2,580 Cash

Overall, 91 two-man teams consisting of 182 anglers competed in this event representing 11 different states caught 787 fish for a total of 1944 pounds and 5 ounces of Bitter Lake Walleye.

In total, the top 18 teams went home with cash and prizes. Before this MWC event in Webster, SD began, on registration night the Premier Team drawing of a duffle bag package was awarded to Frank John Weeda and Corbin Hime out of Minnesota. As an added benefit, Lowrance adds two contingencies for anglers that come in the form of the Lowrance Exclusive Bonus of $750 and the Lowrance Trolling Motor Bonus of $500 for running a Ghost or Recon on your boat.

The Big Fish Award on Day 1 was won by Peter and Jared Mart with their healthy 8lb 1oz giant walleye that anchored their 21lb 10oz bag and set them up with a hefty lead on day 1. Big Fish Award for day 2 went to the winners, Max Wilson and Rob Korth at 8lb 5oz. The cash pot for big fish was $3,720, meaning each day the big fish winners took home $1,860.

Current World Walleye Championship qualifying points are now live on the website here and will be updated after each event for teams to keep track of the goal of reaching Devil’s Lake, North Dakota this coming October. Also developing quickly now that the 5th qualifier has been completed, is the Team of The Year points race. The premier team of James Campbell Jr. and Randy Vike still have a healthy lead, although they intend to defend that to the end as the final regular season event on Cass Lake out of Stony Point Resort is within sight.

As part of the 2026 MWC season, anglers can compete for a coveted spot in the 2026 World Walleye Championship held in Devil’s Lake, North Dakota. The 2026 WWC will be a one-time Dual Event with qualifying teams from 2025 and 2026, with a combined pot and, new to 2026 – a Brand-New Nitro ZV20 Powered By Mercury as the top prize. 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 $10,000 which includes a spot to compete in the National Team Championship and up to four, paid-in-full, 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 Masters Walleye Circuit (MWC) 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. MWC has set the standard for competitive walleye fishing for 42 years. The 2026 schedule includes six qualifiers in five states, plus berths into the 2026 MWC World Walleye Championship presented by Nitro boats in Devils Lake, North Dakota.  Stay tuned for more 2026 announcements at:

www.MastersWalleyeCircuit.com.

Masters Walleye Circuit Official Level Sponsors: Mercury Marine, Lowrance Electronics, and Nitro Boats. Associate Sponsors: TH Marine, Airsafe Hitch Products, National Professional Anglers Association, and The Walleye Federation.

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

MWC Live Coverage

2026 Masters Walleye Circuit – Bitter Lake, Webster, SD

LIVE coverage of 2026 Masters Walleye Circuit at Bitter Lake, Webster, SD at 3:30pm CT.

LIVE Leaderboard will begin updating once the weigh-in begins at each event click the BLUE link below!

LIVE Leaderboard

LIVE video will be done where a suitable internet connection can be secured lakeside and will be shown below. Live streaming video will go live a couple of minutes before the published weigh-in time for that event if we have a connection.
Check out our Live Facebook feed coverage. CLICK HERE