(Arnolds Park)– May 1st and 2nd have been set as the dates for this years Great Walleye Weekend in the Iowa Great Lakes.
The annual kick-off to the opener of the walleye season also serves as a benefit for the Easter Seals Society of Iowa. The organization provides programming and services to children and adults with disabilities or other special needs, as well as their families.
Nearly 1,500 anglers cast their line in last year’s event, which raised nearly 20-thousand dollars.
Anglers compete to see who can snag one of six specially tagged walleye in East and West Lakes Okoboji and Big Spirit Lake. A tagged walleye is worth 10-thousand dollars if caught by a registered contestant during contest hours. If more than one tagged walleye is caught, the 10-thousand dollars is equally divided.
18 other tagged fish are worth cash or merchandise. Tagged fish may be confirmed at any lakes area bait shop.
This year’s event will begin at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, May 1st and will conclude with an awards ceremony and barbecue Sunday, May 2nd at the Dickinson County Expo Building in Spirit Lake.
Registration and more information is available at lakes area bait shops or by contacting the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce at 332-2107.
