Ponca City, Okla.-Nov. 13, 2015-The Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit has unveiled a stellar schedule for the 2016 tournament season that promises to raise the bar in high-stakes, team-format competition while tapping some of the world’s premier walleye destinations. 

The lineup features seven qualifiers in six states and includes a diverse selection of the Walleye Belt’s finest rivers, inland lakes and big-water fisheries. 

“The MWC really honed in on its mission statement by focusing the 2016 schedule on the best waters at the best times,” said MWC Senior Tournament Director Dan Palmer. “We’re confident that it will deliver big baskets, big fields, hefty payouts and, most importantly, a lot of fun.” 

The 2016 Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit schedule is as follows: 

• March 18-19 Illinois River at Spring Valley, IL 
• April 15-16 Detroit River at Trenton, MI 
• April 29-30 Big Stone Lake at Ortonville, MN 
• June 3-4 Lake Erie at Lorain, OH 
• July 8-9 Bay of Green Bay at Oconto, WI 
• Aug. 19-20 Devils Lake at Devils Lake, ND 
• Sept. 16-17 Cass Lake at Stony Point Resort, MN 
• Oct 6-9 2016 World Walleye Championship, Bay of Green Bay at Green Bay, WI 

Cabela’s MWC qualifier payouts are based on the number of teams entered in each event. Plus, the MWC Big Fish Pot, MWC side pot payouts, along with sponsor bonuses including Ranger Cup, Berkley Baits and Lowrance Electronics add thousands more to the total. 

Additional bonuses can push the tally even higher. At the 2015 Mississippi River qualifier, for example, special season finale prizes from the Circuit and sponsors propelled the payback to 121.4 percent-which was one of the highest, if not the highest, returns on entry fees in MWC qualifying history. 

Cabela’s MWC qualifiers also serve as “State Championship Events” which adds more excitement to every event. All teams fishing the event are eligible for the State Champions title in that state, and any event with more than 10 teams registered from any state where MWC is not holding a qualifier that year will offer a State Champions title for that state as well. Besides bragging rights, state champions will earn, at minimum, custom state champions’ prizes and awards, a berth in the Cabela’s NTC, and a spot on the MWC website’s Wall of Fame. 

Along with great payouts at each event, teams fishing three or more tournaments in 2016 will battle for coveted berths in the 2017 Cabela’s MWC World Walleye Championship, set for September on Minnesota’s Cass Lake out of Stony Point Resort.

The MWC World Walleye Championship represents the top point-accumulating teams from the previous year’s season, with the payout based on that previous year’s participation as well. “In 2015, the number of angler entries was up 10 percent over 2014, so the 2016 World Walleye Championship will see an increase in payout,” Palmer noted. “Continued growth in 2016 should result in an even bigger payout for the teams that qualify for the championship at Cass Lake in 2017.” 

Teams fishing at least four qualifiers compete for Team of the Year awards, including thousands in cash and Cabela’s Cash cards, as well as fully paid entries into a full season of hot walleye action and more. 

Under the umbrella of The Walleye Federation (TWF), the Cabela’s MWC is open to avid walleye anglers from all walks of life, with registration for all qualifying events opening in January of 2016. For more information, check back often at masterswalleyecircuit.com as season info is regularly updated. 

Palmer noted that unforeseen amendments are possible. “We want to let all of our anglers know that due to the size and scope of the MWC as a national multi-state organization, some states we are visiting will not issue permits for 2016 yet-and some not until after the first of the year-so our schedule is always tentative based on those permit approvals,” he explained. “While we are occasionally forced to move an event due to those issues, we wanted to get the schedule out as soon as it was possible based on the best information available to us, so that our TWF clubs and MWC anglers nationwide can plan their seasons accordingly.” 

Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is entering its 15th season as title sponsor of the MWC. Official sponsors include: Berkley Gulp!, Abu Garcia, Lowe Equipment Attachments, Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, Ranger Boats, MotorGuide, The Walleye Federation and Zippo Outdoor Brands. Associate sponsors include: Yellow Bird Fishing Products, Okuma, T-H Marine and Tight Lines Jewelry. 

For more information, visit masterswalleyecircuit.com, email info(a)masterswalleyecircuit.com, or call (580) 765-9031.