For Immediate Release
For more information, call 218-587-2864
Grand National Walleye Cup Opens Iowa Region April 10
By Steve Weisman
GNWC Publicity Director
Walleye teams on the Iowa Region of the Grand National Walleye Cup are
busy making final preparations for the season opener on the Mississippi
River at Marquette on Sunday, April 10.
“This is the beginning of a great season for the Iowa teams,” said GNWC
Executive Director Bernie Barringer. “The Mississippi River around the
Marquette area is an excellent walleye fishery. There are big walleyes to be
taken.”
According to the DNR, the water temperature is currently in the lower
40s with the river slowly rising as the snowpak melts to the north. The
walleye bite has been most consistent in the tailwater area with a jig and
minnow working the best. However, as the water continues to warm, anglers
will begin working the wing dams and trolling crankbaits using three-way
rigs.
The tournament director will have the trailer at the Isle of Capri
Marina from 6-8 p.m. the evening before the tournament to take late entries
and answer questions. Take-off is at 7 a.m. with the weigh-in commencing at
3 p.m. sharp at the Isle of Capri Marina.
“This is a great opportunity for the general public to see what fishing
tournaments are all about. I think they will find the weigh-in to be both
exciting and informational. We will have a couple of Aqua-Vu underwater
cameras set up in our release tanks so that the public can see how they
work. The audience will also get to hear from the teams and find out what
presentations and tactics worked to trigger the fish. This is a great way to
learn about taking walleyes on the Mississippi River,” added Barringer.
For those interested in entering, the entry fee remains at $210 per
team for each tournament. Openings do still exist for the Marquette
qualifier, and Barringer encourages interested anglers to contact him at
1-800-890-FISH (3474), or email the GNWC at [email protected]. “I also
encourage people to check out our website at http://www.walleyecup.com and see what
the Grand National Walleye Cup is all about,” added Barringer.
Major national sponsors for the GNWC include Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
Outboards, Lowrance Electronics, YoNet Folding Nets by AMFYOYO, Aqua-VU,
Aqua Innovations, Towtector Shield, VIB”E” Lure Company and
UpNorthOutdoors.com. Iowa Region sponsors include Carlson-Sanderson Real
Estate, Motor Inn, Inc., and Triggs Bay Resort.