SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (February 2nd, 2023) – The 2023 National Walleye Tour (NWT) season is less than sixty days away from calling boat numbers at its first event. Outdoor TeamWorks is hard at work finalizing plans and procedures for a successful, competitive and entertaining season for the anglers, sponsors, and fans.
As we prepared for the 2023 season, we met a number of challenges. Preserving the entry-fee amounts to align with years past forced us to take a hard look at every aspect of our tour and make adjustments to protect its future, while ensuring NWT continues to remain the premier walleye tournament series in the nation with the BEST payouts, BEST media coverage, and BEST contingency programs.
Today, Outdoor TeamWorks would like to share a comprehensive look at our 2023 plans:
Entry Fees
We took every measure possible to ensure our Pro- and Co-Angler entry fees were held at $1,750 and $500, respectively, and we are proud to say that it has been several years since NWT anglers saw an increase in our entry fees. In comparison, elite level bass tournament fees are $5,000 with a first-place payout comparable to NWT.
Payouts
For 2023, the National Walleye Tour will feature a 1-in-5 payout structure, moving from a 1-4.6 payout structure in 2022. This will affect the payout throughout the field but allows us to hold the top prize of $15,000 cash and a 20’ fiberglass deep-v boat – a more than 100% payback from angler entry fees. The 2023 payouts have been updated to reflect changes we made to appeal to Pro- and Co-Anglers this year.
Below are the prize boats per tournament location:
- March 21-22: Illinois River (Spring Valley, IL)
- 2023 Nitro ZV20 w/ Mercury 225hp & trailer
Retail Value: $68,995 plus FRT & Prep
- May 17-18: Lake Winnebago (Oshkosh, WI)
- 2023 Triton 206 Fishhunter w/ Mercury 225hp & trailer
Retail Value: $68,250 plus FRT & Prep
- June 22-23: Lake Francis Case (Pickstown, SD)
- 2023 Ranger 620FS w/ Mercury 250hp & trailer
Retail Value: $89,995 plus FRT & Prep
- July 27-28: St. Mary’s River (Sault Ste Marie, MI)
- 2023 Triton 206 Fishhunter w/ Mercury 225hp & trailer
Retail Value: $68,250 plus FRT & Prep
- September 6-8: Devil’s Lake (Devil’s Lake, ND)
- 2023 Nitro ZV20 w/ Mercury 225hp & trailer
Retail Value: $68,995 plus FRT & Prep
Tournament Partner
Outdoor TeamWorks continues to firmly direct tournament operations and be the final decision maker. As we continue to align with our strategic partners to gain efficiencies and ensure the integrity of the tournaments, we are proud to announce a new tournament operations partnership with The Walleye Federation. Having successfully executed thousands of tournaments throughout the country, this team brings decades of competitive tournament experience to the NWT and allow us to quickly increase the level of professionalism and weigh-in technology.
2023 NWT Schedule
As the planning and execution of the 2023 tournament host sites were previously committed, we were unable to make any significant changes to this year’s schedule. We understand that the locations and dates for future events have an opportunity for improvement, and we are committing to dedicate our resources to secure premier fisheries and dates for the 2024 season to continue to elevate the tour status. We will also survey anglers at this season’s first event (Illinois River) for feedback and suggestions on future locations and dates.
2023 National Walleye Tour Schedule:
- March 21-22: Illinois River (Spring Valley, IL)
- May 17-18: Lake Winnebago (Oshkosh, WI)
- June 22-23: Lake Francis Case (Pickstown, SD)
- July 27-28: St. Mary’s River (Sault Ste Marie, MI)
- September 6-8: Devil’s Lake (Devil’s Lake, ND)
NWT Contingency Programs
For the upcoming season, NWT contingency bonus payouts will reward the both the Pro- and Co-Angler owners of Nitro, Ranger and Triton boat brands based on the participant field:
- Payouts based on 125+ boat field
- Pro/ Boat Owner
- 1st Place
- Triton & Nitro Owners: $10,000
- Ranger Boat Owners: Upgraded boat model!
- 2nd Place: $4,000
- 3rd Place: $2,500
- 4th-15th Place: $1,000
- 16th-25th Place: $500
- 1st Place
- Co-Angler/ Boat Owner
- 1st Place: $1,000
- 2nd-15th Place: $500
- 16th-25th Place: $250
- Pro/ Boat Owner
- Payouts based on less than 125 boat field
- Pro/Boat Owner
- 1st Place: $8,000
- 2nd Place: $4,000
- 3rd Place: $2,500
- 4th-15th Place: $1,000
- 16th-25th Place: $500
- Co-Angler/ Boat Owner
- 1st Place: $1,000
- 2nd-15th Place: $500
- 16th-25th Place: $250
- Pro/Boat Owner
To qualify these bigger-than-ever cash bonus prizes, boat Pro- and Co-Angler owners are required to be the original owner of a 2020 or newer model of Triton, Ranger or Nitro boat at least 18’ in length with a 200hp motor or larger. They also must fish from that boat during all days of that event and meet all requirements to win. Co-Anglers must be the owner of a qualifying boat and meet all clothing requirements.
Additional participating requirements include clothing and decal representation for these boat brands is listed below:
- Both Pro- and Co-Anglers must wear apparel displaying the Ranger, Nitro, or Triton logo while competing and at weigh-ins. A photo during weigh-ins to confirm apparel compliance is required with claim submission.
- For Pros: the factory-installed Ranger, Nitro, or Triton decals must be on the qualifying boat in the appropriate position. If the boat is wrapped, the decals must be put back in the same location and must be visible.
Pro- and Co-Angler owners of these boat brands MUST REGISTER for the 2023 contingency program in advance at nationalwalleyetour.com/contingency-programs. These contingency programs are free, meaning no entry fee is required to participate, and there is no cap on the number of winnings an angler can achieve.
To register for the 2023 National Walleye Tour tournaments, please read the updated 2023 RULES and register at nationalwalleyetour.com/national-walleye-tour-register.
Keeping the Standard
Outdoor TeamWorks values the opinions and concerns of each angler who competes in our tournament organizations. The standard of excellence and prestige has never been forgotten, nor justified. In 2023, the NWT television series continues to be one of the highest-rated fishing programs of the year’s first quarter, and last January, it was Pursuit Channel’s #1 ranked show. This year’s event weigh-ins will be streamed live on a variety of outlets, providing the top walleye anglers with a national tour-level competition stage while giving them the ability to represent the best sponsors in the fishing industry with distinguished credibility.
For more information on the National Walleye Tour, including the schedule, photos and official tournament results from previous events, visit www.nationalwalleyetour.com. Subscribing to the NWT e-newsletter is the best way to receive up-to-date information, registration announcements, sponsor incentives, and Outdoor TeamWorks news.
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About National Walleye Tour
National Walleye Tour (NWT) is part of the Outdoor TeamWorks family of fishing tournaments. The OTW brand offers a wide range of fishing events from professional tournaments to grassroots fishing derbies. All events are supported by some of the top companies in the nation and include on-site activation and activities, as well as extensive media support. For live updates and information, follow NWT on Facebook and Instagram or visit www.nationalwalleyetour.com to catch up on all the action.