Chris Gasser - 3/27/2005

Fond Du Lac, WI - The 2005 World Walleye Association season is just around the corner and several changes are in store for this year. Steve Poll, Executive Director of the WWA thinks teams will like the changes that are being implemented.

"We have put a lot of thought into these changes and we believe that they will be liked by teams looking to fish an entire national circuit and also by teams that are just looking to fish one tournament a year."

Registration Changes
For 2005, all single day qualifying tournaments will have a Priority Date. The Priority Date is approximately ten days before each event. For teams signing up for single events before the priority date the entry fee will be $210, which includes the big fish pot entry fee. For teams signing up after the Priority Date, the entry fee is $250 for each event, which includes the big fish pot entry fee.

The deadline for entering each one-day qualifier is 10:00 P.M. the Friday preceding each event. No entries will be allowed after the deadline.

For teams that wish to fish and entire division (4 events), the entry fee is $800, which includes entry into the big fish pot. A $450 deposit will be required at sign up with the balance of $100 per event due by each tournament registration and rules meeting.

Teams pre registering for an entire division will receive 200 bonus points. Registration and Rules meetings attendance will be mandatory by at least one team member for 2005.

New Illinois Division
The WWA has added an Illinois Division for 2005, incorporating the highly successful Chain Walleye Series in the WWA. The WWA offers the chance for CWS anglers to extend their season and test their skills against other teams through the WWA's Divisional and National championship qualifying structure.

WWA Executive Director Steve Poll jumped at the chance to involve the CWS.

"The Chain Walleye Series anglers are a highly competitive and dedicated group of anglers. We are truly excited to welcome the members of the Chain Walleye Series (CWS) to the WWA family," stated Poll.

More qualifying options
For 2005 there will also be three "Open events", one on 4-2 at Red Wing, MN on the Mississippi River, one on Lake Oahe in Mobridge 7-16 and one on 7-30 on Lake Erie out of Bolles Harbor.

Open events can be used towards a teams division points since only a teams four best events will count for total points.

Streamlined Championship Qualifying Structure
Also new this year are two regional championships. One East Regional Championship and one West Regional Championship. Teams that fish at least two one-day qualifiers in a particular division will be eligible to fish the Regional Championship for that division.

The West Region will consist of the Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota divisions and the East Region will consist of Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois and Ohio. Entry fee for the Regional Championship will be $350.

The top twenty teams based on total points after each Regional Championship and the top five finishing teams based on position of finish at each Regional Championship will be invited to fish the World Walleye Association National Championship the following year.

The WWA National Championship therefore will be limited to 50 teams and will be a no entry fee event.

The entire rules are available on the World Walleye Association website at worldwalleye.com or by calling the WWA at 920- 651-1066.