Rules / FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We ask that all anglers be signed up by the following dates (FRIDAY, 2 weeks prior to event). These will be the 2021 registration cut-off dates to fish, No Exceptions!
Chamberlain/Oacoma, SD – April 16, 2021 | Sturgeon Bay, WI – May 14, 2021 | Huron, OH – June 11, 2021 | Mobridge, SD – July 16, 2021

The deadline to sign up and pay for all 4 events for the season will be April 12, 2021.

What is Pro Angler entry fee?
$1,750 (new entry fee for 2021)

What is Co Angler entry fee?
$500 (new entry fee for 2021)

Is there a membership fee, what is included with the fee and when do I pay it? 
The fee is $30 per year and allows you to participate in all NWT events for the year. You can pay for your membership at the same time you pay for your 1st event. Membership will not be refunded.

How do I enter a National Walleye Tour Event?  
Entering a National Walleye Tour event is easy. You can register online, which requires payment by credit card, by clicking on Register for Event.

Entry forms are also available by printing & mailing/faxing in.

*You will be put in a drawing at each event you fish for $100 Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s gift card for registering and paying online.

How does a co-angler enter a National Walleye Tour Event? 
THERE WILL NOT BE PRO/CO GUARANTEE IN 2021.

Co Anglers can register online, which requires payment by credit card, by clicking on Register for Event. Entry forms are also available by printing & mailing/faxing in.

Co Anglers get in to the event based on the date/time stamp you pay for the entry fee.  In order to enter an event you must pay the entry fee.  If we are unable to pair you for the event you sign up for we will refund your entry fee.

A co angler can pay for all 4 events ($2,000 total) and be prioritized at the top of the list ahead of everyone paying for events one at a time.  The deadline to pay for all 4 events and be prioritized is April 12, 2021.

How do I know if I made it in to the event as an Angler?  
The NWT will start sending out a notification that your entry fee was received and you have been matched and IN the event as soon as we come to your name on the list. For Co Anglers – Please be mindful that this is all dependent on how early Pros register for the event.

More information with specifics about the event will be emailed to each participate on the event signup deadline.

THERE WILL NOT BE PRO/CO GUARANTEED ENTRIES FOR 2021.

Deadline to register for the event will be Friday, 2 weeks before the tournament. At this time we will match the remaining cos according to the date/time you paid for all 4 at one time. All other entries will be assigned according to date and time of sign up.

If you sign up & pay for an event you will need to make arrangements that can be changed/cancelled if we can not pair you.

How do I qualify for the Championship?  
Qualification for the year-end Championship is simple. The top 40 pros and top 40 co-anglers from the AOY point standings after the Mobridge, SD event qualify for the Championship.

If the pro-angler and co-angler field is not even, we will continue down the points list until there is a full field of 40 pros and cos.

Top 40 pro anglers will NOT have an entry fee to pay to participate in the Championship.
Top 40 co-angler’s entry fee will be $500 to participate in the Championship.

What is the National Walleye Tour Angler’s Advantage Program?  
The National Walleye Tour Anglers Advantage Program allows each angler, for an additional $250 (pro) or additional $100 (co-angler) to compete in a higher payout bracket. The OPTIONAL angler’s advantage fee will be in addition to the standard tournament entry and may be paid when an angler registers for an event, or is otherwise due by the close of on-site registration prior to the tournament. The Anglers Advantage entry fee will be paid out at 100% to those participating in the program with a 1in 4 payout based on the number of entries into the Program.  If you do not understand this program please ask questions.  Please do not sign up or enter the Angler Advantage program unless you feel that you completely understand the Program and payout.

How can I stay posted on National Walleye Tour news and announcements?  
Stay up to date on all National Walleye Tour news and events by signing up for our free e-newsletter. Simply click here and fill out the request form.

Are there qualifications I must meet to fish a National Walleye Tour event?  
Participation in National Walleye Tour events is open to only to members ($30 annual membership fee) who are 16 years of age or older (under 18 must have a guardian sign for them). Any angler entering a tournament under the age of majority must also have the signature of their parent or legal guardian. A completed entry form and full entry fee must be received no later than the published deadline for each tournament. You will also be required to have a liability release form on file prior to fishing an event.

Where can I find the rules for National Walleye Tour events?  
You can view the rules online by clicking here or contact us directly and we’ll be glad to mail you a copy.

Will the events be capped?
At the present time there is not a boat limit for the NWT.  However, in order to receive a tournament license some venues/permits will require a number of boats/participants.  In these circumstances the field will be 150 boats or 300 participants.  Also, NWT will fish as many boats that there are a pro and co angler for.  In other words, as long as there is a paid pro and co they will fish unless over the participation requirements set by venue/permit.  The payout posted is based on 125 boats participating

How many events? 
FOUR regular season and a championship.

What is the regular-season tournament format?
Two-day events, full field fishes both days.

What is pro angler payout?
First place is a Ranger 2080MS with a Mercury engine plus $15,000 cash.  Remaining payout will be made on a 1 in 4 basis.

What is co angler payout? 
First place is $6,000 and remaining payout will be made on a 1 in 4 basis.

What contingency bonuses are available? 
Ranger, Triton, Power-Pole, TH Marine, Mercury.

What are contingency guidelines?
Click here to go to contingency payout and guidelines page.

What is championship format?
Two day full field, then top 10 fish day 3.

What happens if there is a tie for AOY?
Ties will be broken for Angler of the Year races by total accumulative weight for all 4 regular season tournaments combined.  If a tie remains, it will be broken by total number of fish for the year, then by total number of live fish for the year, then by lottery.

How do I sign up for a tournament?
You can register online, which requires payment by credit card, by clicking on Register for Event. Entry forms are also available by printing & mailing/faxing in, or you can call 612-424-0708/501-794-2064.

Can I guarantee my entry into events?
THERE WILL NOT BE PRO/CO GUARANTEED ENTRIES IN 2021.

How is pro winner determined? 
Pro winner determined by heaviest cumulative two day weight.

How is co winner determined?
Co winner determined by heaviest cumulative two day weight.

How are anglers paired?
Random draw.

How do co anglers accumulate their weight?
Pro anglers and co anglers fish together for a combined daily boat weight.  The co angler will carry his day one weight with him to day two.

Are there logo restrictions?
No logo restrictions.

Who will cameramen follow? 
Anglers in competition for the win will have a cameraman in the boat with them. It will not matter what boat brand, engine, sponsor, etc. Failure to coordinate with and accommodate the NWT production crew needs will result in disqualification of that event.