NATIONAL WALLEYE TOUR
Hundreds of professional and amateur anglers will flock to the Chamberlain-Oacoma area next week to fish one of South Dakota’s premier walleye destinations.
For decades, the central-South Dakota communities located on the Missouri River have attracted anglers from across the region. And now, the walleye fishing hub has been chosen to host a national tournament event on April 29-30 that will bring in 200 anglers. The two-day tournament that’s put on by Bass Pro Shop and Cabela’s National Walleye Tour will mark Chamberlain’s first time hosting the event.
Among all of the fishing locations in the upper Midwest, Anthony Wright, tournament director, called Chamberlain a “great walleye” fishing destination that’s suited to host a great tournament. With a full lineup of anglers competing in the tournament, including 100 professional anglers and 100 amateurs, excitement is high for the upcoming event.
“We know it is a prime spot for walleye fishing, and it is in a nice location for us to open the first tournament of the year there,” Wright said of Chamberlain, noting it will be the first tournament of this year's National Walleye Tour. “The city has opened their arms up for us to make it all happen. It will be televised, so this will be a big deal.”
Each year, the series of tournaments are held in a variety of bodies of water in the northern portion of the country, including lakes and river systems. The National Walleye Tour has been putting on pro-am tournaments for just under a decade.
