Lower Niagara River to be “Officially Walleye Tested” by Cabela’s MWC Circuit Anglers –

presented by MotorGuide

Minnetonka, MN -- There are those that know big walleyes can be caught on the lower Niagara River in New York, and they have waited and planned for a major walleye tournament to showcase this fishery to the rest of the world. That’s about to happen, July 21 & 22 in Youngstown, New York. The premier team walleye event, the Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit, will test the mettle of what the river is capable of producing.

“The lower Niagara River and surrounding waters are really an under-rated resource, as far as walleyes are concerned,” shared Bill Hilts, Jr., Outdoor Sports Specialist with the Niagara Tourism & Convention Corporation, and host of this event. “Bringing the MWC here will really showcase that resource. We have the trophy fish potential that set new circuit records just last month in the MWC.”

Hilts is referring to the new circuit record of 85.07 pounds set June 2nd and 3rd on the Eastern basin of Lake Ontario. Two New York anglers, Steve Gould of Watertown and Chris Monica of Adams brought in nine walleyes over two days that topped the record set last year on Lake Erie by nearly 3 pounds. “Nine walleyes averaging 9 and-a-half pounds each is phenomenal!” exclaimed North American Fisherman editor Kurt Beckstrom, who will emcee the Niagara River tournament. “I sure hope the folks of Youngstown, Lewiston and Buffalo come out to watch the weigh-ins each day. It could be quite a show!”

The stage and weigh-in area will be set up at Main Street and Hinman in downtown Youngstown, adjacent to St. Bernard’s Catholic Church. The teams will load their boats up at the State Park at 3 o’clock, and then drive down to Youngstown. The public is invited to attend and watch the weigh-ins, which will last about one hour and cheer on the anglers, both Saturday the 21st and Sunday the 22nd.

On Saturday, immediately following the weigh-in, the National Professional Anglers Association (NPAA) and the MWC will co-host a FREE Youth and Family Fishing Clinic. Rods and reels are donated along with tackle boxes for kids to take home. “There’s slip bobbers and enough essential tackle to get someone started dreaming over a bobber,” shared Alan Baumgardner, NPAA #549. Baumgardner and Frank Pilney, NPAA #920, have coordinated these clinics throughout the year with the help of the MWC sponsors. The kids and their parents have had a wonderful experience. Toyota has donated three new bikes as prizes for the lucky new anglers. The bikes, rigged by the anglers with rod holders, will be ready to take their new gear fishing.

Twenty seven teams are currently signed up for the tournament, making the total purse pay out $15,120 to the top four places. First place will be $8,020, second place $3,680, third place $1,920 and fourth place $1,500. The prize money is awarded for the top overall two-day weight. Each team can bring in up to five fish per team per day.

This tournament will test the angler's ability to have complete control over their boat. To get the job done, many anglers will be using a MotorGuide Wireless Trolling motor.

MotorGuide Wireless trolling motors provide simple, fast and precise wireless boat positioning from anywhere on deck with a low-profile foot pedal. And since these motors are designed especially with big waters in mind, they are built to take the poundings of fishing in rough, open water, with much of the credit for durability going to the company’s exclusive Digital know-how and the incredible new Cradle Lock Mount.

“We are positive our new MotorGuide wireless (trolling motor) will get the job done whether we are slipping the current in the river or trolling a contour out on the bar," said Mercury and MotorGuide pro Shawn Hannah. "So far this season it has been flawless and a big part of our success.”

Anglers are impressed with how well the MotorGuide wireless foot pedal maintains control from anywhere in the boat. “The one hand stow and deploy makes multiple drifts in the river a breeze,” added Hannah’s partner, Pete Lewis. Hannah and Lewis finished in second place at the Henderson Harbor tournament the first weekend in June.

A conservation fund of $15 per boat, totaling $405 will be awarded to the Niagara River Anglers Association for their work with rearing ponds, which improves the quality of the fishery. The NRAA will assist the circuit with daily tournament operations.

Openings exist in future MWC tournaments. The remaining schedule is:

MWC East
July 21 & 22 – Youngstown, NY – Niagara River and Lake Ontario

MWC Central
Sept 8 & 9 – Dubuque, IA – Mississippi River

MWC West (Exhibition Tournament)

August 18 & 19 –Ortonville, MN – Big Stone Lake

World Walleye Championship (invitation only)

Oct 4-6 -- Dundee, MI -- Detroit River and Lake Erie

For more information contact circuit headquarters by email at: events@masterswalleyecircuit.com or toll-free by phone at 877-893-7947.

Cabela’s is the title sponsor for the Masters Walleye Circuit. Official Sponsors are MotorGuide, Toyota Trucks, Mercury Motors, Ranger Boats, Lowrance Electronics, North American Fishing Club and Versus (Vs.) television network. Associate sponsors are Tommy Docks, The Inhibitor, Food Source Lures, Ice Armor and Farm & City Insurance Services