–Presented by Mercury
June 18, 2012—Minnetonka, MN—More than 200 avid walleye anglers have registered to battle on one of Wisconsin’s finest fisheries when the Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit rolls into Oshkosh, Wisconsin June 29-July 1.
This isn’t the first time the Cabela’s MWC has visited legendary Lake Winnebago. In 2010 a dual tournament combining the Cabela’s National Team Championship and Masters Walleye Circuit Central Division qualifier was recognized by the Guinness World Records as history’s largest fishing tournament.
With 111 two-person teams signed up at press time, the payout is already sitting at more than $57,000 in cash, with over $16,000 in cash for first place for this time around. The top 20 percent of teams at each MWC tournament share in the winnings, and overall in 2011, the Circuit paid back more than 120 percent of entry fees in payouts, team of the year awards and World Walleye Championship winnings.
The Cabela’s MWC is open to all anglers regardless of club or sponsor affiliation. Teams have until midnight on Sunday, June 24th to sign up for the Winnebago tournament, meaning the payout has potential to grow even further.
Sponsor bonuses including Cabela’s Angler Cash, Ranger Cup, Lowrance HDS/Elite DSI, Berkley Baits, U2/The Oxygenator and Okuma Premier Awards add an additional $4,500 in cash and prizes to the total. Plus, anglers have the option of participating in the Cabela’s MWC Big Fish Pot, all of which could add an additional $10,000 to the final tally.
Besides a great shot at cashing a check, the Lake Winnebago tournament is also expected to produce world-class walleye fishing. In the 2010 event a 10-fish, two-day MWC limit produced 28.63 lbs of walleye gold for the winners, with the next five teams nipping at their heels by just a few ounces.
The public is invited to watch the weigh-ins, which will be held at 3 p.m. at Millers Bay in Menominee Park. The Cabela’s MWC and National Professional Anglers Association will present a Youth & Family Fishing Clinic immediately after Friday’s weigh-in. The Cabela’s MWC, National Professional Anglers Association, Pure Fishing and Zippo Outdoor Brands will present the clinic and the first 50 youths will receive rods and reel combos courtesy of the NPAA.
Registration is $650 per team and there is no late fee. For details, visit www.masterswalleyecircuit.com, email events@masterswalleyecircuit.com. This is the sixth of nine Cabela’s MWC qualifying tournaments in 2012. The remaining schedule includes Lake Oahe at Pierre, South Dakota, July 28-29; the St. Mary’s River at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, August 24-26; and finally Cass Lake, Minnesota, out of Stony Point Resort, Sept. 14-16.
Founded in 1984, the Cabela’s MWC is the oldest team tournament circuit in the walleye world. It has a rich history of intense competition on top destinations, plus youth outreach and a lasting legacy of conservation that includes more than $300,000 in donations to fisheries projects in states where its tournaments are held.
Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is in its 11th season as title sponsor of the MWC. Official sponsors include: Berkley Gulp!, Ranger Boats, Mercury Marine, MotorGuide, Lowrance, Zippo, NBC Sports Television Network and North American Fisherman. Associate Sponsors include: Berkley Trilene, Okuma, O2 Marine Technologies, Reflections, The Walleye Federation, Gemini Sport Marketing and RPM Outdoor Sports.
