Grand National Walleye Cup Kicks Off Wisconsin Circuit This Sunday
BY Steve Weisman
GNWC Publicity Director
Teams competing in the Wisconsin circuit of Grand National Walleye Cup
(GNWC) are making final preparations for this Sunday’s (April 6) opener on
the Lake Winnebago chain and the Wolf River. The qualifier will be based out
of Winneconne.
GNWC director Bernie Barringer had this to say about the Wisconsin
opener. “I am really excited about the Wisconsin circuit. There is a lot of
interest in the GNWC, and I think we have picked waters that will be both
challenging and rewarding. I know some people have been worried about the
ice conditions, but as of Thursday, the lake is almost entirely ice-free and
the teams should have no problem getting up or downstream. Plus, locals say
a lot of fish are in the system and they look for a lot of nice fish to be
caught.”
According to Barringer, competing teams should be at the Wolf River
House Resort in Winneconne between 6-6:30 Sunday morning to sign in and
participate in mandatory boat inspections. The tournament hours are 7 a.m.
to 3 p.m. Weigh-in commences precisely at 3 p.m., with awards to follow.
“Teams can still sign up on Sunday morning. Just show up around 6 a.m., and
we’ll take care of the paperwork.”
For its inaugural season, the GNWC will feature five events each in five
states: Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Each state
will have four qualifying events followed by a State Championship. The entry
fee is $210 per team for all events with an 80 percent payback. Also, $10 of
the entry fee will go to an enhanced fishing conservation fund that goes
directly back to enhance that state’s fishery.
In addition, there is the chance to become a National team eligible for
advancement to the National Championship. “To be eligible, the team must put
$100 into the National Championship pot before the first event in their
region,” added Barringer.
A total of 100 National Championship teams will be invited to fish in
the National Championship. “In this first year only, we will take the top 20
National Teams from each region. At this point, everybody starts even and
there is a great opportunity to advance in the state of Wisconsin to the
National Championship. We think if the anglers of Wisconsin give the GNWC a
shot, they will be impressed by what we have to offer,” added Barringer.
Interested anglers can also call 1-800-890-3474 or email the GNWC at
[email protected].
Major sponsoring partners for the GNWC include Ranger Boats, Mercury
Outboards, Berkley, Abu-Garcia and UpNorthOutdoors.com.
Wisconsin GNWC Schedule:
Tournament: Winneconne
Date: April 6
Location: Wolf River Resort
920-582-4555
Bait and lodging available at resort
http://www.wolfriverresorts.com
Tournament: Lake Dubay
Date: May 11
Location: Lake Dubay County Park
Host Lodging: Super 8 Stevens Point
Exit 161 south
715-341-8888
Tournament: Mississippi River, Prairie du Chien
Date: Saturday, June 21
Location: Villa Louis
Host Lodging: AmericInn
Hwy 18 West Praire du Chien
800-634-3444
Tournament: Castle Rock Flowage
Date: July 27
Location: Castle Rock County Park
8 miles NE of Mauston
Host Lodging: Best Western
Hwy 90/94 exit 69
800-463-4960
Host Bait Shop: Rocket’s Mini Mart
N7325 Hwy 58
608-562-3282
More Info: http://www.juneaucounty.com/juno-tour.html
Championship: Lake Wisconsin
Date: August 9-10
Location: Bay View Lodge
County Hwy V, Poynette
608-635-4089
More info: http://www.lake-link.com/lakewisconsinchamber
Lake Wisconsin Chamber: 608-635-8070
National Championship: Lake Okoboji
Date: October 9-11
Location: The Okoboji chain of lakes in Northwest Iowa
More Info: Okoboji Tourism http://www.vacationokoboji.com