Here’s a comprehensive overview of major **walleye tournaments** in 2025, including schedules, champions, and key details:

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### 🏆 **Professional Tournament Circuits**
1. **National Walleye Tour (NWT)**
– **Stop #1 (Lake Sharpe, SD):** Robert Crow won with a split-shot rig and jig/minnow combo .
– **Stop #2 (Mississippi River, WI):** JJ Debernardi took first using crankbaits and live-bait rigs .
– **Angler of the Year:** Chris Nussbaum leads after two events .
– **Upcoming Stops:** Bay de Noc (July 18–19), Cass Lake (Sept 12–13) .

2. **Masters Walleye Circuit (MWC)**
– **Lake Oahe (SD):** Duane Hjelm/Tyson Keller won **$23,672** (27.5 lbs single-day bag) casting Mooch Minnows in 20–50 ft depths .
– **Bay de Noc (MI):** July 18–19 qualifier; focus on “unders” (fish <23") . - **World Championship:** Oct 9–11 in Alexandria, MN (2024 qualifiers) . --- ### 🎣 **Major Standalone Tournaments** 1. **Mercury National Walleye Tournament (Lake Winnebago, WI)** - **Winners:** Wayne Gregor/Dale Boeck (28.8 lbs over 2 days). - **Prize:** Lund 1875 Impact XS boat + Mercury 150hp motor + **$5,000** . - **Registration:** Limited to 300 teams; opened March 10 . 2. **Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot-Out (Dunkirk, NY)** - **Dates:** July 17–20. - **Format:** Big-Fish Friday + 6-fish Saturday weigh-in. - **Purse:** **$500,000+** (largest amateur walleye event) . 3. **Buffalo Walleye Bash (Lake Erie, NY)** - **Unique:** 24-hour format (May 31–June 1). - **Entry:** $500/team; early discounts available . 4. **WNY Walleye Classic/Dunkirk Festival (NY)** - **Dates:** June 6–8. - **Mission:** Supports veterans via Primitive Patriot Outdoors . --- ### ⚓ **Lake Erie Tournament Hotspot** - **July–August Focus:** - **Cabela’s National Walleye Tour (Aug 7–8):** Pro angler event at Dunkirk Harbor . - **Innovative Outdoors Challenge (Aug 15–16):** 6-fish limit; $500 entry . - **Southtowns Walleye Derby (June 7–15):** 41st annual 9-day event; $100,000 prizes . --- ### 📅 **Key Upcoming Events** | **Event** | **Dates** | **Location** | **Prize Highlight** | |-------------------------------|--------------------|-----------------------|--------------------------------------| | MWC Bay de Noc Qualifier | July 18–19 | Gladstone, MI | NTC Championship berth | | Walleye Duel at Dunkirk | July 12–13 | Dunkirk, NY | 3-fish daily bag | | NY Walleye Derby | Jun 28–Aug 10 | Lake Erie, NY | $1,300 top prize | | Freeland Walleye Festival | TBD | Freeland, MI | Junior/Senior divisions | --- ### 💡 **Tournament Insights** - **Tactics:** Trolling dominates Lake Erie; live bait rigs rule rivers . - **Conservation:** Slot limits enforced (e.g., one walleye >20″/day on Oahe) .
– **Economic Impact:** Events like Mercury National boost local economies by **$1.2M+** .

For registration links and real-time updates, visit:
– [National Walleye Tour](https://outdoorteamworks.com/trail/nwt/)
– [Masters Walleye Circuit](https://masterswalleyecircuit.com/)
– [Lake Erie Walleye Trail](https://lakeeriewalleyetrail.com/)

*Tight lines and tournament glory!* 🎣🏆