2025 Masters Walleye Circuit Registration NOW OPEN!
Presented By: Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s
Ponca City, Oklahoma – January 27, 2025 – As with winter is hitting hard across the country, many are beginning to look forward to spring and the next open water season. The Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit is proud to announce that registration for it’s 42nd season in 2025, is now open at www.masterswalleyecircuit.com/registration, or call the national office at (580)765-9031.
Teams of 2 anglers will be looking to place well in single events, but also to compete for all new Team of the Year status and a chance to gain entry into the 2026 World Walleye Championship at the destination location of Devils Lake in North Dakota. Teams looking to sign up early may do so NOW!
Anticipation for the new year is high as everyone gets ready.
“There is always something to look at and study, always something to tweak,” says Masters Walleye Circuit Tournament Director Jeff Kelm. “New increased Team of the Year payout, new equipment, new techniques, and new waters; it’s all part of the fun of getting ready for the next season.”
The Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit always strives to fish “the best waters at the best times,” and that holds true to this year as much as ever. The 2025 schedule for the MWC was released earlier this year in August of 2024, and no changes have been made. To recap for those who are eagerly awaiting early sign up, here are the locations anglers will be given the opportunity to prove themselves as Champions:
March 21-22 – Illinois River, Spring Valley, Illinois
April 11-12 – Lake Erie, Port Clinton, Ohio
May 2-3 – Lake Petenwell, Rome, Wisconsin
May 30-31 – Lake Oahe, Mobridge, South Dakota
July 18-19 – Bay De Noc, Gladstone, Michigan
September 12-13 – Cass Lake, Cass Lake, Minnesota
2025 World Walleye Championship (WWC) – October 9-11, Alexandria, MN (Le Homme Dieu Chain) (2024 Season Qualifiers)
2026 World Walleye Championship (WWC) – Devils Lake, North Dakota (2025 Season Qualifiers)
Each MWC qualifying event has a lucrative payout which is based on the number of teams entered and is awarded to 20% of the field. In all, the MWC totaled over 150% for the 2023 season after wrapping up the World Walleye Championship where payback numbers were a staggering 480%. 2024’s regular season qualifiers payback was 146%, with the World Walleye Championship in October 2025 expecting to push that number even higher. Additionally, the big-fish pot, option-pot and sponsor bonuses will add thousands more to the field at each event.
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 the commitment to fishing the Masters Walleye Circuit and comes with multiple benefits such as the use of a pre-designated substitute, delayed billing, and more. Teams earning points in at least four qualifiers compete for the ALL NEW FOR 2025 “Team of The Year” (TOY) honors, including a INCREASED Team Of The Year Sponsorship package by 50% to $15,000.00 in cash and prizes, NTC spots, and thousands more in cash and prizes are awarded to the top team in the TOY race. All teams may fish as many events as they wish during a season and their three (3) best scores are counted toward earning a coveted invitation to the 2026 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s World Walleye Championship.
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 since 1984 and as an inductee into the freshwater fishing hall of fame, has set the standard for competitive walleye fishing for the past 40+ years. The 2025 schedule includes six qualifiers in six states, plus berths into the 2026 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s MWC World Walleye Championship on Devils Lake, North Dakota.
Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s are looking forward to their 24th season as title sponsor of the Masters Walleye Circuit. Official sponsors include: Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, Lew’s Fishing, Dakota Lithium, and Ranger Boats. Associate sponsors include: The Walleye Federation, T-H Marine and Salmo Java Coffee. For more information, support@masterswalleyecircuit.com or call (580) 765-9031.
