Ponca City, Ok. — April 16th, 2019 — The headwaters of the Minnesota River plays home for the third stop on the Masters Walleye Circuit’s 35th season. The “Toughest Walleye Anglers on Planet Earth” will have a chance to live up to that moniker while competing on the recently melted waters of the 26-mile long Big Stone Lake.
BPS/Cabela’s MWC fishermen are no strangers to Big Stone, with this being the 5th time, since 2014, the circuit has travelled to Ortonville. Fitting this event is presented by Lowrance, as anglers in the past have spoken about how critical quality electronics are at this event and that trusting what they tell you will make or break your days on the water.
“The fish haven’t seen a bait in a while.” Expressed tournament director Jack Baker. Jack continued “Its taken a while for all the ice to melt on Big Stone. Its pulled away from shore, preventing ice anglers from getting on, but the lake hadn’t open enough for boaters. The lake should be prime for catching fish when we arrive.”
Each MWC event has a lucrative payout which is based on the number of teams entered into that event, and 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, travel stipend, team jerseys and plaques. Additionally, the big-fish pot, option pot and sponsor bonuses from Ranger Cup, Lowrance, Okuma, AirWave and T-H Marine Atlas Awards add thousands more for distribution among the field.
Teams earning points in at least three qualifiers each season compete for coveted berths in a World Walleye Championship. Qualified teams from 2019 will fish the 2020 World Walleye Championship, set for October 2020 on the mighty Mississippi River in the Quad Cities. 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.
As a bonus benefit to all MWC anglers as well as all TWF members nationwide, Official Sponsor Lowe Equipment Attachments offers a 20 percent discount off the MSRP on all its auger, trenching and grapple products available through Midwest Attachments, LLC. For information on that program, visit masterswalleyecircuit.com/tournaments/contingencies.
Daily live weigh-ins at Ortonville City Park, Ortonville, MN are free and open to the public beginning at 3:00pm both days April 26, 27. If you can’t make it in person you can watch the weigh-ins live, online, at masterswalleyecircuit.com or on our Facebook page.
For the area youth, there is something for you immediately after the day-one weigh-in on Friday, we offer a Youth & Family Fishing Clinic in conjunction with the National Professional Anglers Association (NPAA). The first 50 youth will receive a free rod-and-reel combo!
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 35 years and is open to avid walleye anglers from all walks of life. The 2019 schedule includes eight qualifiers in six states, plus the 2020 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s MWC World Walleye Cham
pionship. Registration is now open for all events, and the registration deadline for the Big Stone tournament is close of business Monday, April 22. Visit masterswalleyecircuit.com for full details.
Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s – The World’s Foremost Outfitters, are in their 18th season as title sponsor of the Masters Walleye Circuit. Official sponsors include: Lowe Equipment Attachments, Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, Ranger Boats and The Walleye Federation. Associate sponsors include: AirWave Pedestals, Church Tackle, MotorGuide, Okuma, Power-Pole and T-H Marine. For more information, email info@masterswalleyecircuit.com, or call (580) 765-9031.
