LA CROSSE, Wis. – The $2.9 million Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Circuit will not make its planned stop on the Mississippi River near La Crosse, Wis., this year after Operation Walleye determined that a catch-and-release tournament was not a viable option.
The decision to cancel the July 25-28 tournament was made Tuesday evening based on high summer temperatures and low water conditions in the region. Originally scheduled for May 9-12-when hot weather would not have been a factor-the tournament was postponed until July after the U.S. Coast Guard closed the Upper Mississippi River to boat traffic due to high water.
“Like everybody else, the last thing we want to cause is damage to the sport or to the resource,” said Charlie Evans, chief operating officer for Operation Walleye. “In order to have a thriving sport, you need to protect the resource, and that is what we are doing.”
Moving the La Crosse RCL Walleye Circuit tournament to September, when temperature would not be a factor, was not an option as it would be impossible to squeeze the event between a Sept. 5-8 tournament in Devils Lake, N.D., and the championship in October.
The Devils Lake tournament will feature a cash purse of $390,750 as the final qualifier for the 2001 Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Championship, which features a cash purse of $1.4 million and a top award of up to $400,000. The championship will be held Oct. 2-6 in Green Bay, Wis.
“While we are sure that there will be some disappointed tournament participants, we feel that calling off the La Crosse tournament was the best decision for both our competitors and for local anglers,” Evans said. “Good community relations is a key element of the sport, and we are certain professional walleye anglers understand that our decision was made with their best interest in mind.”
Anglers entered in the La Crosse RCL Walleye Circuit tournament are eligible for a refund of their entry fee, or if they so choose, anglers may transfer their entry fee to a future tournament. Representatives from Operation Walleye will begin contacting anglers today. If you have questions regarding the La Crosse RCL Walleye Circuit tournament, and you do not wish to wait for a representative to contact you, please call Operation Walleye at 270-362-5259.