NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. (August 2, 2017) – Competitive walleye anglers will converge on Green Bay at Marinette, Wisconsin, for the Cabela’s National Walleye Tour championship event on Aug. 16-18. The championship event will feature some of the country’s best walleye anglers in a pro-am style format and guarantees over 100 percent payback, including three fully rigged Ranger boats.

The championship event begins Tuesday, August 15, with tournament registration from 2-4 p.m. at Marinette High School Auditorium (2135 Pierce Ave., Marinette, WI 54143) with a mandatory pre-tournament meeting set to start at 5:00 p.m. Pro- and co-angler pairings will be announced at the pre-tournament meeting.

Anglers will launch each morning at 7 a.m. from Menekaunee Harbor with anglers returning to the harbor for weigh-ins each day. After the first two days’ action, the field will be cut to the top 10 pro- and co-anglers. Weigh-ins will start at 3:00 p.m. each day.

During each day of competition, Triton Boats and Mercury Marine are offering free demo rides in the acclaimed 216 Fishhunter. The demo rides will take off from the boat launch.

The National Professional Anglers Association (NPAA) will also host a “Future Angler” program for children after Friday’s weigh-in, approximately at 4:00 p.m., featuring an educational seminar and training for youth from top-notch NPAA members. The youth-orientated event will include a free rod/reel combo or “Future Pro” t-shirt for the first 150 children who attend the educational program. Smokey the Bear will also be on hand during this time.

Anglers that have fished all three regular season events, in addition to the top points leaders, will qualify for the three-day, entry-fee championship. The championship event is a pro-am style format and guarantees over 100 percent payback, including two-fully rigged Ranger boats for first and second place in the pro-angler category and, new for 2017, a new Ranger 1682 with 115 horsepower Mercury 4-stroke, valued at $26,300 for the first-place co-angler.

The NWT Angler of the Year Awards, presented by Lucas Oil, is also up for grabs at the championship. The pro- and co-anglers with the most points earned after the championship will be awarded custom rings and paid entry fees for the 2018 season.

Anglers who are participating in any of the numerous contingency prize programs are encouraged to submit all pertinent information at registration to remain eligible for any potential bonus money.

The NWT tournament circuit also includes unprecedented television and media coverage, allowing a national audience to watch the action unfold from each event throughout the season. Airing on multiple networks, the National Walleye Tour will be seen on FOX Sports, World Fishing Network and Pursuit Channel, as well as the NBC Sports Network.
For more details, anglers are encouraged to call 612-424-0708 or 501-317-7548 or check out the new website at www.nationalwalleyetour.com. From here, site visitors can register for events, view the contingency programs and TV schedule and learn more about what’s in-store for2018.

National Walleye Tour events are made possible through the sponsorship and continued support of these well-respected brands: Cabela’s, Ranger Boats, Lucas Oil, Evinrude, RAM, Mercury, Minn Kota, Triton Boats, Power-Pole, Arctic Ice, Stratos Boats, Lowrance, MotorGiude, Protect the Harvest, Raymarine, Valley Fashions, T-H Marine, Atlas, G-Juice, Powertex Group.

2017 NWT scheduled events:

Championship – Aug. 16-18 – Green Bay (Marinette, Wis.)