Iowa Great Lakes Walleye Weekend
May 4-5, 2024
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Save the date for the 42nd Annual Iowa Great Lakes Walleye Weekend
Each year the Iowa Great Lakes Area kicks off walleye season with the Iowa Great Lakes Area Walleye Weekend tournament put on by the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. Ten walleye are tagged and released in to the chain of Iowa Great Lakes. Starting at midnight on Saturday, May 4th you can cast your chance at catching one of these 10 tagged walleye worth $42,000! There are many other chances to win prizes all weekend long - from the largest fish categories to the raffle prizes at the awards luncheon.
The weekend's tournament ends at 11:59am on Sunday, May 5th. Make sure to sign up for the extended contest giving you a chance to catch one of the remaining tagged walleye from 12:00pm Sunday, May 5th to 11:59pm on August 31st. The first 3 tagged walleye caught during the extended contest are paid out a percentage of the registration fees all summer long!
Click Here for rules & more information
$41,000 Grand Prize
There are 41,000 reasons to register for Iowa Great Lakes Walleye Weekend this year. Catch one of the 10 tagged walleye released in the Iowa Great Lakes chain of lakes and the $40,000 prizes is yours! It's the reel deal! Registration is open for anglers of all ages and experience. Register before 11:59pm on Friday, May 3rd for your chance at the 10 tagged walleye and thousands of dollars in additional prizes all weekend long!
Extended Contest
Planning on fishing in the Iowa Great Lakes over the summer months? Don't miss out on thousands of dollars! Make sure to register for the extended contest for your chance at the remaining tagged walleye until August 31st! The first of the extended contest tagged walleye was caught just 10 hours after the weekend's event concluded. Local angler, Dennis Weerheim caught the fish off of his dock worth $5,080! Don't miss out on thousands of dollars - register today! Registrants for the Extended Contest are not required to register for Walleye Weekend.
The Biggest Walleye Tournament Returns
Download the Fish Donkey App and search for "Biggest Walleye Tournament - Iowa Great Lakes Walleye Weekend". The official rules and details can be found in the Fish Donkey app. Have fun and FISH ON!
All registrations for this optional tournament must be submitted by 11:59pm on Friday, May 3rd to be entered into the tournament. All registrations and submissions must be completed through the Fish Donkey App.
CASH PRIZES will be given to the top three largest walleye with the cash amounts coming from a percentage of registration fees. Your $20 registration includes entry into the tournament and a chance at the top prizes!
The top three largest walleye will be paid out a portion of registration fees:
More Information
Additional Prizes
There are so many opportunities to win wonderful prizes all weekend long! Over $3,500 in prizes are given to the top 3 anglers in each of the heaviest fish categories. Whether you're fishing for Northern Pike, Walleye, Panfish, or Bullhead, there's a prize package waiting for you! Bring in your fish to one of our participating local bait shops for your chance at the awesome prize packages provided by Fisherman's Factory Outlet and Pure Fishing!
Awards Luncheon
Join us for the awards luncheon on Sunday, May 5th at the Dickinson County Expo Building in Spirit Lake. Winners of the heaviest fish categories will be announced and awarded, thousands of dollars worth of raffle prizes will be given away to those registered for this year's Walleye Weekend. Lunch is free for anglers registered for the weekend's competition and limited to the first 500 registered attendees.
Get Your Gear
It's not too late to get your gear! A small amount of t-shirts and hooded sweatshirts are still available for purchase at the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce or online! Apparel is on flash sale, so make sure to get yours before they're gone!
Grant Process
Each year a portion of the Iowa Great Lakes Walleye Weekend proceeds are donated to benefit angling in the Iowa Great Lakes. Do you have a project or club promoting and encouraging angling in the Iowa Great Lakes Area? 501C-3 non-profit organizations interested in applying for a grant can email blain@okobojichamber.com for more information.
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GRANT PROCESS
Each year a portion of the Iowa Great Lakes Walleye Weekend proceeds are donated to benefit angling in the Iowa Great Lakes. 501C-3 non-profit organizations interested in applying for a grant can email blain@okobojichamber.com for more information.