DUNKIRK, NY (August 4, 2025) – The Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’sNational Walleye Tour, presented by Progressive is headed to Lake Erie for Stop #4 of the 2025 season, and the anglers are looking forward to big bites! Hosted by the City of Dunkirk, this event marks the final qualifying stop before the Championship, and with Angler of the Year points and big payouts on the line, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Anglers will launch from Dunkirk City Pier on Thursday, August 7, and Friday, August 8, with weigh-ins taking place each afternoon. The field will be stacked with top-tier pros and co-anglers all on the hunt for big payouts. The Champion will go home with a brand new Ranger 620FS rigged with a Mercury ProXS and Garmin electronics.
Duane Hjelm, Kevin McQuoid, Dylan Nussbaum, Austin Tomasek, and Mark Courts are leading the pack in the Progressive Angler of the Year Race going into the Dunkirk, NY event.
The current Angler of the Year leader, Duane Hjelm, is looking forward to the event. “I try not to think about Angler of the Year too much honestly. I just go into each tournament with the mindset of trying to win. The next stop on the National Walleye Tour (NWT) is Dunkirk, NY. We’ve fished here before, but this time things will be different. Unlike previous events, this year we’re limited to fishing only New York waters and there’s no culling allowed. That change in the rules could definitely shake things up.”
“One thing is for sure, it’s shaping up to be a great event. Expect to see plenty of limits filled with beautiful Lake Erie walleyes. I’m looking forward to getting back out there and giving it everything I’ve got — and I’m fortunate to be backed by some incredible partners that help me stay competitive at this level. My Ranger boat and Mercury motor give me the speed and reliability I need to cover water efficiently, while Garmin LiveScope helps me stay dialed in on active fish. I’ll definitely have Rapala Jigging Raps tied on.”
Fans can catch all the action with live weigh-in coverage streaming on the Outdoor TeamWorks website and social media channels. Takeoffs each morning will also be streamed live from the National Walleye Tour Facebook page, giving fans a front-row seat to the start of each competition day.
Don’t miss your chance to see the best walleye anglers in the country compete on one of the Great Lakes’ premier fisheries.
For more information on the National Walleye Tour, including the 2025 tournament schedule, fact sheets, photos, and official tournament results from past events, visit nationalwalleyetour.com. Subscribing to the NWT e-newsletter is the best way to receive up-to-date information, registration announcements, sponsor incentives, and Outdoor TeamWorks news.
About National Walleye Tour
National Walleye Tour (NWT) is part of the Outdoor Team Works family of fishing tournaments. The OTW brand offers a wide range of fishing events from professional tournaments to grassroots fishing derbies. All events are supported by some of the top companies in the nation and include on-site activation and activities, as well as extensive media support. For live updates and information, follow NWT on Facebook and Instagram or visit www.nationalwalleyetour.com to catch up on all the action.
