(Arnolds Park)– Walleye Weekend is this weekend in the Iowa Great Lakes. Morgan Strauss of the Iowa Great Lake Area Chamber of Commerce says they’re seeing a large number of registrations coming in in the final days leading up to the event, thanks to the ideal weather that’s in forecast this weekend…
“We’re really excited. I think that 10 day forecast really influenced some of our registrants. I think just last night after we shut down the office we did get over 100 just, you know, in 24 hours so we’re really going to grow from there.”
Strauss adds there’s still time to get signed up…
“You have until Friday, May 2nd, at 11:59 pm and you can do that online or you can actually do it at our bait shops as well, so Stan’s is going to be open and Kabele’s as well that Friday evening until midnight, so make sure you get in before midnight, that is very, very, important.”
This is the 43rd year for the event, with a $43,000 grand prize for anyone who catches a specially tagged walleye, along with prizes in other categories…
“Whether it’s the heaviest stringer of three walleye under that 19 inches, heaviest northern pike, stringer of panfish or stringer of bullheads. There’s prizes for everyone. And don’t forget about our raffle as well. You can get signed up the weekend of. You can come to our luncheon and you can sign up for our raffle. We have some great prizes from our local businesses. I think we’re giving away three grills, a Yeti cooler, a bucket full of great stuff from our bait shops. It’s something you don’t want to miss.”
The Biggest Walleye Contest is also back this year with separate registration for that through the Fish Donkey App. The awards luncheon will be held this Sunday, May 4th, at 12 Noon at the Dickinson County Expo Building in Spirit Lake.
Strauss reminds everyone proceeds from the weekend go toward grants for projects that enhance water quality and fishing in the Iowa Great Lakes. She says there’s still time for groups to apply…
“You have until Friday, May 2nd. We kind of want to have those a little bit beforehand but if you’re late to the game that’s totally fine. You have until Friday. Last year we gave back $21,000 to our angling community and just outdoor recreation community in general. Be sure to get those in. We do our best to give back when we can.”
Strauss thanks all the sponsors for making Walleye Weekend possible again this year.
Join us this Friday from 6:00 until 10:00 am as we’ll be broadcasting the KUOO morning show live from the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce to kick off the weekend.
