Okoboji, Iowa — A very popular springtime activity at the Iowa Great Lakes has fallen victim to the COVID-19 pandemic this year.
The Iowa Great Lakes Chamber of Commerce has announced that the Great Walleye Weekend, scheduled to coincide with the opening of Walleye Season on the Iowa Great Lakes, has been cancelled for this year. walleye season will open in the Iowa Great Lakes on May 2-3, 2020.
According to the Chamber’s website, the cancellation affects only the opening weekend portion of the tournament, while the Extended Contest will remain open. Anyone who has already registered for the Great Walleye Weekend will have their fee refunded, according to the Chamber.
Registrations for the Extended Contest must be completed online at okobojichamber.com, with registration cut off at 11:55 pm on Sunday, May 3rd.
The extended contest will run from Monday, May 4th until Monday, August 31st. Ten tagged walleye will be released into the chain of the Iowa Great Lakes. The first three tagged walleye caught during this contest will receive a percentage of the entry fees. The fisherman who catches the first tagged walleye will receive 20%, the second will receive 15% and the third will receive 10%. One tagged walleye was caught in 2019 and three were caught in 2018.
For more information on fishing regulations and details, contact the Iowa DNR. All participants are urged to continue practicing social distancing during this tournament. Please limit the number of fishermen on docks and boats as much as possible.
For more information, contact the Chamber of the Iowa Great Lakes at 712-332-2107, or email kiley@okobojichamber.com.
