The Fishing Crew has announced the 2026 tournament schedule. The season will include staples such as the Cedar Shore Resort Tournament, Sharpe Showdown, and South Dakota Governor’s Cup as well as new events.
“We’ve added a couple new events for this year,” said Curt Underhill, Tournament Director. “These include Formanek Electric, Big Stone Bass Open, and Black Hills Homebuilders.”
The first event of the season will take place on the ice, with Woodland Resort Ice X set for March 7 on Devils Lake, North Dakota.
“Our first event is an ice fishing event, enjoying the late ice opportunity Devils Lake has to offer,” said Underhill. “We’re very excited to head to North Dakota and explore this new opportunity.”
The open water season begins with the Pike Masters tournament on Lake Oahe.
“Pike Masters is a favorite among many anglers, and allows anglers to fish from shore or a boat,” stated Underhill. “This will be our first open water event of the season.”
The walleye tournament season will begin in Chamberlain, with the Cedar Shore Resort Walleye Tournament taking place April 11-12. This event launches out of Cedar Shore Resort, and fishes on Lake Francis Case from Big Bend Dam to the Highway 44 Bridge in Platte.
“Cedar Shore Resort will again be a two-day event for this year,” continued Underhill. “This will be the weekend following Easter, to ensure everyone is able to spend time with family and friends over that holiday.”
The season will then head up river, with Sharpe Showdown set for April 25-26. This event launches out of Downs Marina in Pierre, and anglers can fish all of Lake Sharpe.
“We’re again partnering with the Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce to showcase the Lake Sharpe fishery,” elaborated Underhill. “This has been a popular event in the community, and we’re excited for it to continue again this season.”
New for 2026 is the Formanek Electric tournament, which will take place May 30 on Lake Oahe near Pierre.
“We’re excited to offer a late May tournament this season on Lake Oahe,” said Underhill. “The summer patterns will just be beginning to take place for this one.”
The end of June will see the Black Hills Homebuilders tournament, which will take place June 27 on Lake Oahe near Pierre.
“Another new event this year is the Black Hills Homebuilders tournament,” stated Underhill. “This takes place at the end of June, when the bite will be spectacular.”
The South Dakota Governor’s Cup will return for the traditional third weekend of July, taking place July 18-19. This event launches out of Spring Creek Recreation Area, and anglers can fish Lake Oahe up to Bushes Landing Lakeside Use Area.
“The Governor’s Cup is the crown jewel event for walleye fishing in South Dakota, and we’re proud to keep this tradition running strong,” said Underhill. “We’ll also have the third year of the Lieutenant Governor’s Cup as well, which has been received with extremely positive reviews by the participating kids and their families.”
The Lieutenant Governor’s Cup takes place the Saturday of the Governor’s Cup, which will be July 18.
The walleye season concludes on August 29 and 30, with the Stockman’s Livestock Fall Brawl.
“We moved up the dates for Stockmen’s Livestock to be the last week of August,” said Underhill. “This event always brings some big fish across the scales.”
On the bass fishing front, there will be two events this year: the South Dakota Governor’s Bass Cup and the Big Stone Bass Open.
The Big Stone Bass Open will take place May 3 on Big Stone Lake.
“We’re excited to offer another bass event this year with the Big Stone Bass Open,” shared Underhill. “Heading over to the eastern side of South Dakota is something we’re looking forward to.”
The South Dakota Governor’s Bass Cup will be June 6 and 7 on Lake Oahe near Pierre.
“The Governor’s Bass Cup continues to grow each year, and we’re excited for another year of the same,” stated Underhill. “The smallmouth bass fishery on Lake Oahe is truly world class.”
Complete information, rules, and registration is available on The Fishing Crew’s website. Events are filled on a first come, first serve basis. Registration for all events begins January 1, 2026 at midnight.
“We had a great 2025, and we’re very excited for 2026,” concluded Underhill. “Mark your calendars, get signed up, and let’s make this an awesome year!”
The Fishing Crew 2026 Schedule:
- March 7: Woodland Resort Ice X – Devils Lake, North Dakota
- April: Pike Masters – Lake Oahe, Pierre
- April 11-12: Cedar Shore Classic – Lake Francis Case, Chamberlain
- April 25-26: Sharpe Showdown – Lake Sharpe, Pierre
- May 3: Big Stone Bass Open – Big Stone Lake, Ortonville
- May 30: Formanek Electric – Lake Oahe, Pierre
- June 6-7: South Dakota Governor’s Bass Cup – Lake Oahe, Pierre
- June 27: Black Hills Homebuilder – Lake Oahe, Pierre
- July 18-19: South Dakota Governor’s Cup – Lake Oahe, Pierre
- June 18: Lieutenant Governor’s Cup – Spring Creek Marina
- August 29-30: Stockmen’s Livestock Fall Brawl – Lake Oahe, Pierre
Frequently Asked Questions
When does registration open for The Fishing Crew events?
Registration for The Fishing Crew tournaments opens midnight on January 1.
When is the 2026 South Dakota Governor’s Cup?
The 2026 South Dakota Governor’s Cup is scheduled for July 18 and 19.
What is the Lieutenant Governor’s Cup?
The Lieutenant Governor’s Cup is a kids-only fishing tournament that takes place the Saturday of the South Dakota Governor’s Cup in the Spring Creek Marina.
Where do you register for The Fishing Crew events?
Registration, rules, and complete information for tournaments is available on The Fishing Crew website.
Where can I find a complete list of South Dakota fishing tournaments?
A list of major fishing tournaments can be found on the Fishing Tournament News page on Lip Ripper Fishing’s website.
Complete South Dakota Fishing Tournament Schedule
Individuals interested in finding a complete list of South Dakota fishing tournaments, as well as the National Walleye Tour, Masters Walleye Circuit, and Nebraska Walleye Series, can find all of this information on our Fishing Tournament News page.
