Ponca City, Okla.-May 13, 2017-The Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit returns to the incredible Lake Winnebago system out of Menasha, Wisconsin, June 2-3 for a team-format, regular-season tournament presented by Mercury Marine.

The fishery has hosted many exciting MWC events over the years, and hopes are high that this year’s tournament will build upon that rich tradition. Department of Natural Resources biologists report that the Winnebago system continues to be one of the Midwest’s top walleye destinations, thanks to exceptional year-classes from 2008, 2011, 2013 and 2016.

If past MWC tournaments on Winnebago are any indication, it could take 40 pounds to top the leaderboard and as usual there is a lot at stake at MWC events, including valuable points needed to qualify for the World Walleye Championship, Cabela’s NTC berths, points toward the very lucrative MWC Angler of the Year prize package and of course sizable amounts of cash and other prizes.

So, along with great fishing and exciting tournament action, anglers will clash for thousands in cash and prizes. Cabela’s MWC payouts are based on the number of teams entered in each event. For example, on May 19-20 of this year 75 teams from across the midwest will compete in a MWC qualifier on nearby Bay of Green Bay with a payout of nearly $55,000.00 Including, MWC Big Fish Pot, MWC option pot payouts, and sponsor bonuses such as Ranger Cup, Lowrance Electronics, Okuma and AirWave add thousands more to the total. Plus, the first-place team earns a $1,000 Cabela’s National Team Championship Prize Package including paid 2018 NTC entry, travel stipend, team jerseys and plaques. Based on the number of teams that enter the Winnebago event the payouts will be similar.

This two-day event is based in Menasha, with launches and weigh-ins held at Jefferson Park. Weigh-ins begin at 3 p.m. As a bonus to budding tournament fans, the Cabela’s MWC and National Professional Anglers Association will present a Youth & Family Fishing Clinic immediately after the day-one weigh-in. The first 50 youths will receive rod-and-reel combos courtesy of the NPAA.

Teams fishing three or more MWC tournaments in 2017 will battle for coveted berths in the 2018 Cabela’s MWC World Walleye Championship, set for October 2018 on Lake Michigan’s Bays de Noc out of Escanaba, Michigan. Teams fishing at least four MWC qualifiers compete for Team of the Year awards, including a $10,000 sponsorship package and thousands more in cash and Cabela’s Cash cards, as well as fully paid entries into a full season of great walleye action.

As a bonus, Lowe Equipment Attachments offers all Cabela’s MWC anglers a 25 percent discount off the MSRP on all its auger, trenching and grapple products in 2017 available through Midwest Attachments, LLC. For details, visit masterswalleyecircuit.com/tournaments/contingencies.

Under the umbrella of The Walleye Federation (TWF), the Cabela’s MWC is open to avid walleye anglers from all walks of life. Deadline to register for the Lake Winnebago tournament is Monday, May 29.

The 2017 schedule includes seven qualifiers in five states on a diverse selection of rivers, inland lakes and Great Lakes fisheries representing North America’s top walleye destinations.

Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is in its 16th season as title sponsor of the MWC. Official sponsors include: Lowe Equipment Attachments, Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Marine, Ranger Boats and The Walleye Federation. Associate sponsors include: AirWave Pedestals, Bagley Baits, Church Tackle, G-Juice, MotorGuide and Okuma. For more information, email [email protected], or call (580) 765-9031.