2023 Illinois River – Keeping Tradition Alive to Start – MWC 40th Season Presented by Ranger Boats

  • Filed under MWC News

  • February 28, 2023

2023 Illinois River – Keeping Tradition Alive to Start – MWC 40th Season

Presented by Ranger Boats

Ponca City, Okla, — Feb. 27, 2023 – In keeping with a long-standing tradition, the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit (MWC) will once again visit the Illinois River in Spring Valley, Illinois to kick-off the circuit’s 40th season!

This event is a welcomed change of pace for walleye anglers coming from all over the country where the vast majority of them, just a few weeks prior to this tournament, were freezing on a frozen lake looking down an eight-inch hole dreaming about the walleyes and saugers they were going to be bringing across the stage in Spring Valley at the first major walleye tournament of 2023 in the country. “I look forward to the MWC Illinois River event every spring. Familiar faces, a familiar venue, and a plethora of both local anglers and seasoned pros all coming together to partake in the first major event in professional team walleye fishing of the year. This is the perfect starting place for anglers to knock the dust off of those long rods and put some fish in the boat!” Said Jeff Kelm, Tournament Director for the MWC.

Savvy anglers know that the Illinois River is one of the best sauger fisheries in the country, with a possibility of catching the new state record on any cast or drop. This wouldn’t be possible without the hard work put in by the state. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will once again be teaming up with the MWC and the anglers to collect DNA samples and eggs in order to bolster the state’s successful sauger stocking program. Over the years, the MWC and its anglers have provided well over 5,000 fish to help continue the program and keep the Illinois River on the map as one of the nation’s top sauger fishing destinations.

Take-off will take place at 7:30am (CDT) each day. Daily live weigh-ins will be held at the Spring Valley Boat Club beginning at 3:30pm (CDT) both days on March 17th and 18th. Everyone is welcome to watch and join in on the fun and excitement either in person, live online at masterswalleyecircuit.com or on our Facebook page, facebook.com/MastersWalleyeCircuit.

Anglers competing during the 2023 MWC season will be competing for a spot in the 2024 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s World Walleye Championship in Alpena, Michigan on Lake Huron.

MWC Teams may fish as many events as they wish during a season. Teams must earn points in at least three qualifiers to have a chance at earning an invitation to the World Walleye Championship in the final “best of 3” final standing each year.

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.

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, a travel stipend, team jerseys, and plaques. Additionally, the big-fish pot, option-pot and sponsor bonuses from Ranger Cup, Lowrance, Okuma, and T-H Marine Atlas Awards 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 39 years. The MWC is open to walleye anglers from all walks of life. The 2023 schedule includes seven qualifiers in six states, plus berths into the 2024 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 22th 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, Power-Pole and T-H Marine. For more information, email support@masterswalleyecircuit.com, or call (580) 765-9031.

2023 Masters Walleye Circuit Registration Opens Jan. 5th! Presented by Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s

2023 Masters Walleye Circuit Registration Opens Jan. 5th!

Presented by Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s

The 2022 season is now behind us and anticipation for 2023, the 40th season of the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit (MWC) is growing! 2023 registration will open at 9:00 am (CST) January 5th, online, at masterswalleyecircuit.com or by calling the MWC at (580)765-9031.

Like in decades past, teams that fish the longest running national walleye series in North America will battle it out for their share of hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and prizes that will be awarded throughout the year and a total payback that will exceed well over 100% of entry fees from the season. While costs have skyrocketed everywhere around us, MWC has held the line with no increases in entry fees or memberships and still the same great payouts!

Here is what the 2023 season looks like for awaiting anglers:

March 17-18, Spring Valley, IL. (Illinois River)

April 21-22, Monroe, MI (Lake Erie/Detroit River)

May 5-6, Red Wing, MN (Mississippi River)

June 16-17, Lake Erie, OH (Cleveland Area)

July 21-22, Oconto, WI (Bay of Green Bay)

August 25-26, Wagner, SD (Lake Francis Case)

September 15-16, Cass Lake, MN (Cass Lake)

2023 World Walleye Championship October 5-7, Pierre, SD (Lake Sharpe) (2022 Season Qualifiers)

2024 World Walleye Championship -Alpena, MI. September 26-28 (2023 Season Qualifiers)

MWC will once again offer “Premier Team” status for those teams that sign up for at least (3) events at once, prior to fishing their first event of the year. Premier Team status is our way of saying “Thank You” for their commitment to fishing the Masters Walleye Circuit and comes with multiple benefits such as, the use of a pre-designated substitute, delayed billing Premier Team swag and more.

MWC Teams may fish as many events as they wish during a season. Teams must earn points in at least three qualifiers to have a chance at earning an invitation to the World Walleye Championship in the final “best of 3” final standing each year.

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 TOY race each year.

Anglers competing in the 2023 MWC season qualifiers will be attempting to earn a coveted spot in the 2024 Bass Pro Shops Cabela’s World Walleye Championship (WWC). In late September of 2024, the best anglers from the 2023 MWC season, “The Toughest Anglers on Planet Earth”, will travel to the famed waters of Lake Huron in Alpena, MI. tucked inside Thunder Bay. There they will battle it out during the 2024 World Walleye Championship (WWC). Lake Huron is known to hold some of the largest walleyes in the world, and although we are over a year and a half away, anticipation for this event is strong.

Teams that competed and qualified through the 2022 MWC season will find themselves on the wild-west shores of the Missouri River on Lake Sharpe in Pierre, SD during the 2024 World Walleye Championship October 5-7, 2023 for a shoot-out that is sure to draw anglers, families and crowds from around the country. There they will compete for a chance to take home the coveted World Walleye Championship trophy and their share of a prize purse that will easily exceed $100,000!

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, a travel stipend, team jerseys, and plaques. Additionally, the big-fish pot, option-pot and sponsor bonuses from Ranger Cup, Lowrance, Okuma, and T-H Marine Atlas Awards 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 39 years. The MWC is open to walleye anglers from all walks of life. The 2023 schedule includes seven qualifiers in six states, plus berths into the 2024 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s MWC World Walleye Championship.

Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s – Are in their 22nd season as title sponsor of the Masters Walleye Circuit. Official sponsors include: Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, Ranger Boats and The Walleye Federation. Associate sponsors include: Church Tackle, FishLab, Okuma, Power-Pole, and T-H Marine. For more information, email support@masterswalleyecircuit.com , or call (580) 765-9031.

2023 Schedule Released to Industry at ICAST

Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit 2023 Schedule Released to Industry at ICAST

Targeted Line Up Promises More Fish, More Winnings And More Fun

Ponca City, Okla.—Aug 3, 2022—The Bass Pro Shops / Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit (MWC) recently unveiled its 2023 schedule to industry companies at ICAST in Orlando, FL. The MWC is the longest running National Walleye Circuit of any kind and targets high-stakes, team-format qualifying events on seven of the nation’s top walleye destinations, while following our mission statement of focusing on the “Best Walleye Waters At The Best Times, For The Toughest Anglers On Planet Earth.” Entry fees for the 2023 season will remain unchanged as they have been for more than 12 years.

As the 2023 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit will enter its 39th year, teams will have seven qualifying events to choose from to vie for a chance to qualify for the longest running circuit championship in all of walleye fishing. Top point-accumulating teams on the 2023 circuit fishing three or more events will qualify for the 2024 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s MWC World Walleye Championship, September 26-28, 2024 at Alpena, MI.

“We try to gain input from the anglers each year to build out an exciting schedule that anglers would want to fish, and hold them in communities that welcome the anglers.”  Tournament Director Jeff Kelm said, “We also try to move the World Walleye Championship across the county from east to west and back again to better serve anglers and to test their skills to see who can earn the title of World Walleye Champions.”

The 2023 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit tournament schedule will look like this, pending permit approvals from various state agencies:

March 17-18, Spring Valley, IL. (Illinois River)

April 21-22, Monroe, MI (Lake Erie/Detroit River)

May 5-6, Redwing, MN (Mississippi River)

June 16-17, Lake Erie, OH (Cleveland Area)

July 21-22, Oconto, WI (Bay of Green Bay)

August 25-26, Wagner, SD (Lake Francis Case)

September 15-16, Cass Lake, MN (Cass Lake)

2023 WWC October 5-7, Pierre, SD (Lake Sharpe) (2022 Season Qualifiers)

2024 WWC -Alpena, MI. September 26-28 (2023 Season Qualifiers)

The Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit’s lucrative payouts, based on the number of teams entered in each event, provide even more inspiration to join the fun. In addition, the MWC big-fish pot, option pot payouts and sponsor bonuses including Ranger Cup, Lowrance Electronics, Okuma, and T-H Marine Atlas Awards add thousands more to the total. As a result, winners have a chance at pocketing $10,000 or more in extra awards based on these bonus programs in cash and prizes. Plus, the first-place team at each event wins a $1,000 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s National Team Championship Prize Package including paid NTC entry, travel stipend, team jerseys and plaques. The MWC always pays back considerably more than 100% in cash and prizes every year.

Teams fishing at least four qualifying events in 2023 will compete for “Team of the Year” awards including a $10,000 “MWC Living the Dream” sponsorship package and thousands more in cash, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s gift cards and paid tournament entries.

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 38 years, since 1984. MWC events are open to avid walleye anglers from all walks of life. Registration for the 2023 events will open in January 3, 2023 online at masterswalleyecircuit.com.

Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s – The World’s Foremost Outfitters, are in their 21st 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: Church Tackle, Okuma, Power-Pole, Fish Labs and T-H Marine. For more information, email support@masterswalleyecircuit.com, or call (580) 765-9031.

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Veteran Walleye Pro’s, Vandemark and Fox Crowned MWC World Walleye Champions on the Bay of Green Bay! Presented by Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s

Oconto, WI – October 2, 2022 – For Steve Vandemark (Linwood, MI) and Jerry Fox JR (Harrison Charter Township, MI), the trip to the Bay of Green Bay for the 2022 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit (MWC) World Walleye Championship (WWC) proved to be well worth the long drive around Lake Michigan to get there. The duo is no stranger to big water and the great lakes with having the waters of Lake Huron, Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie just a short trip down the road from them. Their big water experience is what helped prepare them to win against the top 38 qualified teams representing the best teams in the competitive walleye fishing world.

The weather leading up to this championship event proved to be challenging for anglers to get out and scout and practice. High winds and multiple cold fronts leading up to the WWC scattered the fish and really made these anglers live up to the title of being the “Toughest Anglers on Planet Earth”. For Steve and Jerry, it was a matter of utilizing their electronics and covering water. And cover water they did! The team worked out a program of trolling crank baits with snap weights on deep rock structures nearly 40 miles from the launch location in Oconto, all the way on the north-east side on the bay!

With a day-one weight of 23-11 lbs., Steve and Jerry had nearly a 4.5 lb. lead over the second-place solo angler, Dan Stier (Mina, SD), who had a day-one total of 19-05 lbs. But after day one, it was evident that the rest of the field was able to start patterning these post cold front walleyes and start figuring out patterns of their own, as witnessed on day-two as more 5 fish limits and larger weights came across the scales. Steve and Jerry’s program stayed true for them through the second day of the event as they maintained their lead by nearly 5 lbs. over the day-two second place team of Randy and RJ Harwood (Oshkosh, WI) going into the third and final day of the WWC.

On the third day of the tournament, and after two days of stable weather, the field of 38 teams took off for their final shot at bringing home that coveted 1st place trophy. Anticipation was growing around the city of Oconto, WI on who was going to be crowned the World Walleye Champions. By noon on the final day, spectators and families of the anglers started showing up to get the best view of the anglers as they came in with their final day’s catch to bring across the stage. Everyone was excited to see if the team from Michigan could hold on to their lead for the win or if there was going to be a come from behind team that would find some of those giant walleyes that the Bay of Green Bay is known for.

As teams started to bring their final day’s catch to the bump master for inspection it was pretty evident that the fishing was better than the previous two days. The fish looked bigger and there were even more 5-fish limits than the previous day. Sammy Cappeli (Poland, OH) and Anthony Naples (Salem, OH) brought in the largest bag seen during this event, a huge 29-01 lbs. sack that boosted them from the lower half of the field into 7th place by the end of the tournament. Multiple low 20 lb. bags moved the field around and made for an intense weigh-in. Towards the middle of the weigh-in, the eventual winning team brought their fish across the stage and set their 16-01 lbs. basket of walleyes on the scale and with that, solidified their lead to go on and win with a 3-day total of 59-12 lbs. on the biggest stage in team walleye fishing in the world, and be crowned the champions of the World Walleye Championship.

The payout for the World Walleye Championship is designed to pay out to all qualified teams that fish in all qualifying days of the event. The total payout in cash and prizes totaled $132,868.63 with the first-place team from Michigan, Steve and Jerry walking away with nearly $30,000 in cash and prizes, including $21,000 in cash, $7,000 Ranger Cup Bonus, $1,000 Lowrance Bonus, (2) Okuma Reels, Championship rings, and World Walleye Championship trophies. The top 10 teams in the team of the year standings split $22,521. Overall, the MWC paid back over 141% on entry fees on the full season and nearly 460% on entry fees for the championship!

Second and third place walked away with a hefty load of cash and prizes as well. Dan Stier and Curtis Olivier, with a total weight of 58-04 lbs. good for second place, won over $10,000 which included a brand new Lowrance 7 Live. The third-place team Mike Dorris and Douglas McDonough, with a total weight of 55-15 lbs., took home a check worth $5,000.

The anglers in Oconto, WI caught a total of 336 walleyes weighing a total 1188-01 lbs. during the event. The big fish of the event was caught on day-two of the tournament by Kaiden Dorris and Mark Schoning and weighed 9-12 lbs.

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 38 years. The MWC is open to walleye anglers from all walks of life. The 2023 schedule includes seven qualifiers in six states, plus the 2023 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s MWC World Walleye Championship in South Dakota on Lake Sharpe. Visit masterswalleyecircuit.com for full details.

Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s – The World’s Foremost Outfitters, are in their 21st season as title sponsor of the Masters Walleye Circuit. Official sponsors include: Lowe Equipment Attachments, Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, and Ranger Boats. Associate sponsors include: The Walleye Federation, Church Tackle, FishLab, Okuma, Power-Pole, and T-H Marine. For more information, email support@masterswalleyecircuit.com, or call (580) 765-9031.