Bass Pro Shops Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit 41st Season Starts at Spring Valley March 22-23, 2024 Presented by: Mercury Marine
New For 2024 Is GUARANTEED Minimum $10,000.000 First Place Prize At Every Event And A New Points Structure To Benefit Those Who Fish 3 Or More Events!
Ponca City, Okla, — Feb. 13, 2024 – The Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit (MWC) is excited to get started on its 41st season, which is quickly approaching. MWC has once again chosen the Illinois River in Spring Valley to kick this season off as it has done 38 out of MWC’s storied 41-year history as the longest running national walleye circuit in North America. This is sure to be a captivating kick-off to the 2024 MWC season.
Scheduled for March 22-23, 2024 at Spring Valley, Illinois, on the renowned Illinois River, the two-day event will attract anglers from across the walleye world and serve as a welcome departure as winter loses its grip. Anglers have struggled through the past few months trying to find a place to fish with ever changing ice conditions and record warm weather. The MWC season opener at Spring Valley annually marks the first major walleye event in the country each spring and brings with it a little bit of anticipation to bend some rods and knock off the dust that’s been collecting since last fall. It also serves as a chance to catch up with old friends and make new ones.
Although the Illinois River is known for its phenomenal sauger fishing, there are some big walleyes to be caught. During the March 2023 event last year at the Masters Walleye Circuit and other early events, anglers tied into some big pre-spawn walleyes pushing that 6 plus-pound envelope. It’s no secret at this event, that finding that one big walleye amongst all the quality size saugers can be the key to taking home a trophy and can also make up a lot of ground on day 2.
Beyond the thrill of competition, great payouts including a $10,000 guaranteed minimum first place prize at all 2024 MWC events, and angler camaraderie, this event also plays a vital role in supporting the state’s successful sauger stocking program. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will once again collaborate with the Masters Walleye Circuits and its angler’s conservation efforts as it has for decades to collect sauger for the state hatchery stocking program as well as DNA samples and eggs, contributing to the conservation and enhancement of these resources.
Event specifics include a 7:30 am (CDT) take-off each day and live weigh-ins at the Spring Valley Boat Club at 3:30 pm (CDT) on March 22-23, 2024. Spectators are welcomed to witness the excitement in person weigh in are free and open to the public, or follow the action live online at masterswalleyecircuit.com or on the official Facebook page, facebook.com/MastersWalleyeCircuit
As part of the 2024 MWC season, anglers will vie for a coveted spot in the 2025 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s World Walleye Championship in Alexandria, MN. 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. Those earning points in at least four qualifiers compete for “Team of the Year” honors, including a $10,000 sponsorship package and thousands more in cash and prizes to the top 10 teams in the final “best of 4” final standing each year.
While everyone is welcome and encouraged to come and fish all MWC events or just 1 that gets close to you, for a shot at a great payback and prizes, the NEW points structure for 2024 better protects those teams fishing 3 or more events. It is based in part on angler feedback received during previous seasons. MWC Rule #14 now explains that MWC teams that register for the last two (2) events each year and have not fished any previous MWC events that season, can still fish and win BIG, but with only two possible scores from the last two events they cannot advance so points don’t matter to those anglers and so they will receive none. They do matter to MWC teams who have fished all year and are working on qualifying for the World Walleye Championship (WWC) or a Team of the Year (TOY) titles, their points at the last two events of the season will now be awarded based on their fishing abilities only against others on in same position. I.E. those fishing 3 or more events.
Each MWC event has a lucrative payout which is based on the number of teams entered into that event. New for 2024 is a GUARANTEED minimum $10,000 first place prize at every event. Overall payout is still 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 from Ranger Cup, Lowrance and Okuma 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 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 MWC is open to walleye anglers from all walks of life. The 2024 schedule includes seven qualifiers in six states, plus berths into the 2025 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s MWC World Walleye Championship. Registration is now open for all events. Visit masterswalleyecircuit.com for full details.
Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s are in their 23rd 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, Church Tackle, FishLab, Okuma, and T-H Marine. For more information, email support@masterswalleyecircuit.com, or call (580) 765-9031.
