Moldenhauer and Lester Put Two Days Together to Win Big
Presented By: Mercury
Rome, Wisconsin – May 5, 2025 – The Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit ran its third qualifier of the season on Lake Petenwell out of Rome, WI. Lake Petenwell is the largest man-made flowage on the Wisconsin River. The entire river system adheres to a 3 fish limit, with a minimum size of 15” and a slot where no fish between 20”-28” may be kept. Only one fish per angler may be over that 28” mark. Many anglers reported catching a ton of walleyes each day, with the real test being finding the proper size fish to bring to the scales.
Day 1 was chilly in the morning followed by rain as it came time to weigh fish. Mitchell and Robin Huber (Garden City, KS) weighed their five fish at 8lbs 10oz and came out of it with a 15oz lead going into day 2. However, day 2 had other plans that included dropping water levels and just enough sunshine to change fish patterns.
The whole field was in high spirits for day 2 take-off, each team hoping to dial in those proper sized fish. Vince Moldenhauer and Anders Lester (Onalaska, WI) had already figured it out on day 1, weighing 7lbs 8oz and sitting comfortably in 5th place. They took off to the north end of the lake right away in the morning, trusting that the Lake Petenwell walleyes were still hungry for creek chubs and jigs. Numbers was the name of the game, cycling through as many fish as possible to catch the right ones. With nearly 30 fish a day, there was only one decision. When a legal made it to the boat, it was going to get weighed. Moldenhauer has competed in 3 MWC events now, while Lester has 2 under his belt, with his dad Dave Lester having won the last MWC on Lake Petenwell in 2023. Vince and Anders weighed a total of 14lbs and 11oz to secure the win and ensure they will be competing in the MWC for some time to come.
Earning a champions trophy in this Lake Petenwell Masters Walleye Circuit Qualifier comes with a paid berth into the 2026 National Team Championship. Vince Moldenhauer and Anders Lester took home $10,000 in Cash and the NTC prize package valued at $1000 consisting of custom NTC jerseys, custom NTC plaques, and a cash travel stipend for a total of $11,000 in cash and prizes!
Lake Erie showed its potential for many teams, their weights and respective awards follow:
2nd: Jason Kicherer & Matt Johannes, 14-06, $5,000 Cash,
and the Lowrance Exclusive Bonus of $750
3rd: Ross and John Hertensteiner, 13-07, $2,500 Cash
4th: Joe Miller & Mark Barden, 11-15, $2,000 Cash, $3,700 1st Place Option Pot Cash
5th: Brodie Berriochoa & Dontae Eberhart, 11-14, $1,500 Cash, $2,550 2nd Place Option Pot Cash
Honorably, the 14th place team of Mike Dorris and Douglas Mcdonough weighed 9lbs and 9oz took home the Lowrance Trolling Motor bonus of $500 for running a Lowrance Ghost or Recon trolling motor.
Overall, 110 anglers competed in this event representing 10 different states and the country of Ireland, catching 221 fish for a total of 360 pounds of hard-earned Lake Petenwell walleyes. Mitchell Huber and Robin Huber weighed the heaviest bag of the event on day 1 with 8 pounds and 10 ounces.
The slot limit on Lake Petenwell nearly guarantees that it will take a fish over 28” to win big fish each day. That was the case on day 1 where Tyler Maney and Thor Wick, the winners of the Illinois River event, weighed a 7lb 10oz giant on day 1 to earn the Salmo Java prize package for heaviest fish of the event. Big Fish winners on day 2 also found a nice “over” with J.J. Debernardi and Andrew Vaughn weighing a 7lb 7oz walleye which was just enough help to put them into a check cashing 11th place finish. Both teams were awarded their cash prize, while Tyler Maney and Thor Wick get to enjoy their Salmo Java coffee on the road while traveling throughout the season.
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. Ranger Cup adds $8,000, alongside the big-fish pot, option-pot and sponsor bonuses which 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.
