MWC Announces New Michigan Event and Dates To Replace Detroit River Event.

For Immediate Release (Ponca City, Ok. April 1, 2020)

The Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit has stayed in regular contact with officials from Michigan and specifically the Trenton area and in the interest of public safety and out of extreme caution for the safety of our anglers, the event planned for the Detroit River, April 17-18 and presented by Lowe Equipment Attachments has been replaced.

The new event dates and location for our Michigan event presented by Lowe Equipment Attachments will be Lake Huron\Saginaw Bay area, Oscoda, MI – July 17-18.  All other MWC or TWF events are scheduled to go forward on dates and locations as planned at this time.

MWC will continue to working diligently to keep our anglers and staff safe and continue to do all we can to provide quality events.  A mid-summer tournament will be a great event for our anglers and the fishing should be good just outside of Saginaw Bay on the shores of Lake Huron that time of year.

Anglers who previously registered for the Detroit River event will automatically be moved to the Lake Huron\Saginaw Bay event. Those that cannot make these new dates\location may email us at support@masterswalleyecirucit.com  or call the national office to request a refund or transfer to that entry to another MWC event. Registration is open for this new venue at Oscoda, MI. for those who are ready to sign-up.

“We do not take moving events lightly.” Stated MWC President Robert Cartlidge. “But the safety of our anglers, their family and our staff will always be our first priority.  We know that our anglers and communities put these dates on their calendars long in advance and a moving them disrupts vacation time, lodging, tourism and workflow for not just our anglers, site hosts, sponsors and staff but for us as a company, it costs us all. For all other upcoming events, it is optimistically our intent that all the rest of our MWC and TWF events scheduled starting from May on will be held as scheduled unless and until direction from Federal, State or Local officials tell us otherwise. Like all of you we are taking this unprecedented situation day by day right now until it passes.”

“I do have to say that I am very proud of our team, Cartlidge continued. They have been working hard on getting a backup plans together for all our circuits, 150+ events and programs conducted from national office under the Federation Angler umbrella of companies each year. Even in May once areas start to open back up hopefully, we do not know what the new “Normal” might be so rest assured we do have a back-up measures built and systems in place we can use if needed for managing events, meetings/ weigh ins and social distancing on sight once officials tell us it is safe to proceed.

Tournament Director, Jack Baker thought that an event on Lake Huron with quick access to the northern end of Saginaw Bay would be a welcomed option. “It’s been a decade since the MWC fished Saginaw Bay area, we already have a Lake Erie MWC event June 5-6 out of Lorain so while this isn’t what we originally planned for rather than move to another event to Lake Erie, I think it’s going to be a great event for the anglers to compete on Lake Huron.”

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 36 years. MWC is open to walleye anglers from all walks of life. The 2020 schedule includes seven qualifiers in seven states, plus the 2021 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 – The World’s Foremost Outfitters, are in their 19th 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, Berkley Fishing, Okuma, Power-Pole, Soft Steel and T-H Marine. For more information, email info@masterswalleyecircuit.com, or call (580) 765-9031.

Again, we are sorry for the inconvenience, we greatly appreciate your continued support of MWC. We wish each of you and your families to stay safe and we hope to see you on the circuit in 2020 as it would be our honor to have you there!

MWC Staff.

###

 

RESCHEDULED – Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit, Illinois River Re-Set for October 2-3, 2020 Presented by Lowrance

Ponca City, Okla.—March 20, 2020 — Elon Musk was once quoted as saying “I say something, and then it usually happens. Maybe not on schedule, but usually happens”. Such is that of the Master Walleye Circuit’s event on the Illinois River. What was originally planned to start the 36th season of the famed tournament circuit, will wrap up this year’s events.

“Teams waiting to reschedule hotel rooms or to move their registration can now do so, as we have a date set to keep this event going.” Said Jack Baker, tournament director of the MWC. “It’s uncharted territory that we find ourselves in. Covid-19 has caused change across the country and the safety of our anglers and communities is paramount.” Jack goes on to say that he is grateful to the City of Spring Valley and the Spring Valley Boat Club for their understanding and continued support of this change.

Emcee Jeff Kelm says this event should turn out some great weights. “The fall bites on the river usually produce a great number of big fish. After speaking with anglers while trying to find rescheduled dates, they sounded eager to fish the Illinois River in October.”

This late-season date was set, due in large part to the ever-changing nature of the Covid-19 pandemic. With uncertainty still looming about when major restrictions will be lifted, it was thought to be too risky for an April date.  Anglers that had signed up for the March Illinois River that was cancelled have a few choices. First off, if you signed up for Premier Team status using the cancelled march event your Premier Team status will be honored regardless, it is just one of the many benefits of being a premier team. All registrations for the canceled march event will automatically transfer to these new dates, but anglers do have other options. Teams may request a full refund or transfer the original registration to any other 2020 qualifier event of their choice.

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.

Qualified teams from the 2020 season earning points in at least three qualifiers compete for coveted berths in the 2021 World Walleye Championship, set for October 2021 on the Mississippi River in Lake City, MN. 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.

Daily live weigh-ins at the Spring Valley Boats Club are free and open to the public beginning at 4:00pm both days October 2, 3.  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, 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 36 years. MWC is open to walleye anglers from all walks of life. The 2020 schedule includes seven qualifiers in seven states, plus the 2021 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s MWC World Walleye Championship. Registration is now open for all events, and the registration deadline for the Illinois River tournament is close of business Monday, September 28. Visit masterswalleyecircuit.com for full details.

Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s – The World’s Foremost Outfitters, are in their 19th 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, Berkley Fishing, Okuma, Power-Pole, Soft Steel and T-H Marine. For more information, email info@masterswalleyecircuit.com, or call (580) 765-9031.

###

URGENT NOTICE – Spring Valley MWC Event, March 20-21 – CANCELLED

The Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit staff received notice today at 11:51am after a meeting of the various Mayors in and around the Spring Valley area, the Illinois Public Health Dept., and the local County Sheriffs dept that the MWC Spring Valley event scheduled for March 20-21 will have to be cancelled.

Therefore, we have no choice but to CANCEL the March 20-21 Spring Valley, IL event.

We are very sorry for the hardship on our anglers as we have 80 teams registered so far with registrations still coming in and we know some teams are already there practicing.  WE will attempt to reschedule, however to be clear we are NOT sure we can reschedule. The DNR do not need the fish for their hatchery after they have spawned and our open dates are very limited. If we reschedule for early April we run the risk of the state of Illinois extending their bans and rules and cancelling us again.   BUT we will do what we can and if we reschedule and you cannot attend, we will gladly issue a refund. So stay tuned for that information forth coming as soon as we can put it together.

For future reference, all indications prior to today were that this event was a go and would be held. With that in mind and with your safety always being the first concern we had\have developed special procedure’s to limit interaction and group gatherings by utilizing “call in” check in via the phone systems, instead of check-in in person, then streaming the rules meeting\briefing online and holding it outside in open air and by using smaller and extra flight times, extra weigh in tanks and other restrictions keep all groups to less than 50 persons at a time per CDC rules and all people at least 6 foot apart in the weigh in tanks. Plus limiting it to only one partner bringing fish up, etc. and we will likely continue those special procedures for other events at least through the end of April or as long the COVID-19 situation is in place by federal, state or local officials.

But with conditions changing and the Illinois officials requiring shutdowns of all bars and restaurants in the state to any “in person” dining and with the other rules now in place, we are not able to hold the Spring Valley event March 20-21 as planned.

It is no one’s fault the local community has to err on the side of caution and while we are disappointed of course we support and will honor their decision for everyone’s best interest. In the grand scheme of life it is unpleasant to cancel an event no one is happy, but not as unpleasant as getting sick and in the end we will all get to fish another day just not this weekend at Spring Valley.

As a reminder, and as health experts have publicly advised there is no reason to panic, the chances of contracting and certainly dying from COVID-19 is very small according to health experts. According to the Centers For Disease Control (CDC) for most people, the immediate risk of becoming seriously ill from the virus that causes COVID-19 is LOW.  Based on the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on everyday prevention of any viral infection, such as the flu or Covid-19 we HIGHLY recommend the following tips:

  • STAY HOME – when sick or living with a sick person.
  • DISTANCE – stay at least 6 feet away for other persons
  • COVER – the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing.
  • OFTEN – Wash your hands OFTEN with soap and water.
  • ROUTINELY – clean frequently touched surfaces and objects.
  • LIMIT – face-to-face contact or Hand to face or eyes contact.
  • CONSULT a healthcare provider as needed.

Full text of the Official Communication to us on cancelling is below.

—

From: SPRING VLY
Sent: Monday, March 16, 2020 11:51 AM
To: Robert
Cc:

Subject: Re: Spring Valley MWC

Based on recommendations from the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Center for Disease Control, it has been determined that in the interest of public health and safety the Spring Valley MWC Tournament scheduled for March 20-21, 2020 be canceled.

Thank you.

Regards,

City of Spring Valley, IL 

—-

Again, we are sorry for the inconvenience, we greatly appreciate your continued support of MWC and of Spring Valley. We wish each of you safe travels and to stay safe and we hope to see you on the circuit in 2020 as it would be our honor to have you there!

MWC Staff

Stay tuned for more details as they become available.

Spring Valley Becomes “Sauger Central” for Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit

  • Filed under MWC News

  • February 19, 2020

Spring Valley Becomes “Sauger Central” for Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit 

Presented by Lowrance

Ponca City, Okla.—February 19, 2019 — The city of Spring Valley and the Illinois River welcome the MWC anglers for the 34th time in the last thirty-six years of the circuit, as they start the new season March 20-21, 2020.

The team-format, two-day event, presented by Lowrance, has historically seen teams from over ten different states, with a wide range of experience from rookie tournament anglers to world champions. Many make this a fun family event, while others get right to work settling in for the season-long MWC points race.

Tournament director Jack Baker loves the wide variety of angler’s experience and equipment seen at this event each season. “This is so fun to come here, you see father-sons, mother-sons, father-daughters, grandparents and grandkids all working really hard to win. Of course, you have many of the great fishermen that follow us across the country each year eager to get the season rolling. You have aluminum and glass boats working on every advantage you can find to catch the right fish on this river. The Spring Valley Boat Club is great to work with and MWC will once again be helping from a conservation standpoint and working with the Illinois DNR who will collecting eggs from all the fish NWC weighs in for the hatchery and for restocking.”

Being a good neighbor to the local economy and to local fisheries conservation programs has always been a priority for MWC events and Spring Valley is certainly no exception. MWC events have literally pumped millions of dollars into the local area economy along with millions of Sauger eggs into Illinois DNR hatchery’s and waterways over the last 34 years.

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.

Qualified teams from the 2020 season earning points in at least three qualifiers compete for coveted berths in the 2021 World Walleye Championship, set for October 2021 on the Mississippi River in Lake City, MN. 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.

Daily live weigh-ins at the Spring Valley Boats Club are free and open to the public beginning at 4:00pm both days March 20, 21.  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, 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 36 years. MWC is open to walleye anglers from all walks of life. The 2020 schedule includes seven qualifiers in seven states, plus the 2021 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s MWC World Walleye Championship. Registration is now open for all events, and the registration deadline for the Illinois River tournament is close of business Monday, March 16. Visit masterswalleyecircuit.com for full details.

Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s – The World’s Foremost Outfitters, are in their 19th 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, Berkley Fishing, Okuma, Power-Pole, Soft Steel and T-H Marine. For more information, email info@masterswalleyecircuit.com, or call (580) 765-9031.

###