The National Walleye Tour (NWT) has announced a change to the previously published 2025 schedule. The first event of the season has officially been moved to Lake Sharpe in Pierre, South Dakota. The event will be the same dates, April 24-25, as the previously scheduled season opener that was slated for Bismarck, North Dakota.
The reason for this change was North Dakota limiting the event to 100 boats, which presented tournament organizers both challenges and obstacles that made moving the event to South Dakota the best option.
“We are saddened at the circumstances regarding the first event of the season”, said NWT tournament director Jeff Kelm. “To best benefit the NWT anglers, desired high event participation and payouts, we made the decision to move the event to Pierre, SD. We are grateful that they accepted to host the NWT in 2025 under such short noticed and are excited to start the season there next year on a body of water that has immense history, including the chances of seeing walleye weighing up into the teens.”
Additionally, keeping the event on the Missouri River presented NWT tournament organizers the ability to cover various geographic areas and fisheries, which is the goal to maximize participation in the circuit.
“The outdoors are tradition here in South Dakota, and the unfortunate circumstance in North Dakota has given our state an additional opportunity to showcase these traditions,” said Nick Harrington, Owner of Lip Ripper Fishing. “Anglers coming to Pierre are going to find excellent hospitality, a welcoming community, and of course fantastic fishing.”
Additional information regarding the South Dakota event, as well as the other NWT events, will find information on the NWT website.
