Top Walleye Destination In the Country to Host the 2024 National Team Championship
Presented by: Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s
PONCA CITY, Oklahoma (May 4, 2024) – When the discussions arise amongst walleye anglers nationwide about the best walleye fishing location in the country, one place usually rises to the top of the list of “MUST FISH” destinations: Lake Erie.
The waters outside Lorain, Ohio, on Lake Erie can hold the greatest number of walleyes out of any body of water in the country, and is the perfect place to hold the 2024 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s National Team Championship (NTC), on May 9-11. This tournament will bring 574 qualified anglers from across the country to compete for nearly $300,000 in cash, merchandise, and prizes. This is the largest event of its kind catered to grassroots anglers looking for the biggest trophy in tournament walleye fishing.
Lake Erie’s waters are known to hold some of the largest walleyes that anglers can battle with. Trolling is always a staple on Erie, and for good reason, as a large majority of tournaments have been won that way. New to some on this portion of the Great Lakes is chasing fish down with the latest and greatest forward-facing sonar systems. Even slip bobbers were deployed recently during a national event. However teams choose to chase their winning fish, Lake Erie is ready and the fish are eager to bite.
The Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s NTC hasn’t visited Lake Erie since 2017, when Sam Capelli and Erick Willams took home the winning trophy with a shallow water trolling bite. All teams will compete on the first two days of competition, with the field cut for the final day to the Top 25 All-American teams, all searching for those coveted rings and championship trophies.
Those wanting to watch the weigh-in and take off in person can attend the ceremonies at Black River Landing in Loraine, Ohio. Takeoff will begin at 7 a.m. each day, and weigh-in will start at 3 p.m. each day and is open to the public. Adding to the excitement, the event will be streamed live online at walleyefederation.com, on The Walleye Federation’s Facebook page facebook.com/walleyefederation, and filmed for national television on Federation Angler TV on the Pursuit Channel. Exact dates and airtimes will be announced on walleyefederation.com.
The event is produced by Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s, and co-produced by The Walleye Federation, based in Ponca City, Oklahoma. The Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s NTC is comprised of teams that qualify through local tournaments organized by walleye clubs across North America and sanctioned by The Walleye Federation (TWF). There is still time for walleye clubs to get sanctioned and hold a qualifier to attend the 2025 NTC. For details on how to earn a spot in the 2025 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s NTC or to get your walleye club signed up, visit walleyefederation.com or call (580) 765-9031
