Masters Walleye Circuit, Elevating The Game In 2026
Exciting Changes Coming To World Walleye Championship!
Ponca City, Oklahoma – Dec 19, 2026 – As the Masters Walleye Circuit prepares to enter its 42nd year and winter settles in across the walleye world, anglers are looking forward to the seasonal mark of spring, a Masters Walleye Circuit event season opener on the Illinois River at Spring Valley, IL. in March. The diverse qualifying season for 2026 will include six stops on three (3) major rivers: The Illinois River, Mississippi, Red Wing, MN and the St. Mary’s River, Sault Ste Marie, MI and three (3) well-known walleye lakes including Lake Winnebago, Oshkosh, WI, Bitter Lake, Webster, SD and angler favorite Cass Lake, MN. The 2026 World Walleye Championship is set for Devils Lake, ND. Full details, new 2026 rules, and registration open dates with exciting news for all events will be announced in the upcoming weeks.
Outlined in the 2025 rules as “advance notice” that changes were possible, MWC has made the strategic decision to bring the World Walleye Championship into the same qualifying year based on angler feedback. This should make it easier for teams to plan appropriately when competing all year long to earn a chance to compete for the most coveted title in walleye fishing, the title of World Walleye Champions. Historically MWC anglers have had to qualify for the WWC and then wait a year to actually fish it. This move should better support walleye anglers everywhere. The 2026 World Walleye Championship will be a transition year and will include qualifiers from both the 2025 and 2026 season at Devils Lake. MWC is not stopping there however, we are also significantly upping the payout to include a prize boat!
Masters Walleye Circuit partner Nitro Boats will award a fully rigged Nitro ZV20 prize boat powered by Mercury, and rigged out with Lowrance electronics, to the winners of the 2026 World Walleye Championship on top of all the other cash, prizes, and sponsor bonuses Significantly raising the payout of this event.
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 on Devils Lake, North Dakota. Stay tuned for more 2026 announcements at MastersWalleyeCircuit.com
For more information, contact support@masterswalleyecircuit.com or call (580) 765-9031.
