The biggest walleye event of the season is here as the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela'sNational Walleye Tour presented by Progressive returns to legendary Lake Sakakawea in Garrison, North Dakota, August 27-29, 2026, for the season-ending championship.
The championship will feature the top 40 professional anglers and top 40 co-anglers based on the regular season Progressive Angler of Year standings on one of North America's premier walleye fisheries. The full field will compete over three days of competition, for not only the National Walleye Tour Championship title but also the to see who is crowned the Progressive Pro Angler of the Year and Progressive Co-Angler of the Year awards.
Tournament competition begins Thursday, August 27, and runs through Saturday, August 29, with daily launches from Fort Stevenson State Park Marina and weigh-ins beginning at 3:00 p.m. each afternoon. Fans are encouraged to attend the weigh-ins and experience the excitement of the National Walleye Tour's season finale firsthand.
For those unable to attend in person, the National Walleye Tour will provide expanded live championship coverage throughout the event. Fans can follow the action with live leaderboard updates, on-the-water coverage, angler interviews, feature content, and live weigh-in broadcasts as the race for the championship unfolds.
Complete championship coverage can be found at the National Walleye Tour Live Coverage Page.
The National Walleye Tour extends its appreciation to the Garrison Convention & Visitors Bureau, the City of Garrison, and the entire Lake Sakakawea community for hosting the 2026 Championship. Renowned for world-class walleye fishing and breathtaking scenery, Lake Sakakawea provides the perfect setting to crown the season's champions.
As the final fish are weighed on August 29, one professional angler and one co-angler will earn the title of National Walleye Tour Champion, while the 2026 Progressive Pro Angler of the Year and Progressive Co-Angler of the Year champions will officially be crowned, concluding another highly competitive season on the National Walleye Tour.
Looking Ahead to 2027
The 2026 Championship also serves as a milestone moment for the National Walleye Tour as the organization prepares to launch its new 100-angler invitation-only professional circuit in 2027.
Anglers who accept an invitation for the 2027 season will receive a two-year qualification guarantee, securing their place in both the 2027 and 2028 National Walleye Tour seasons. The new format is designed to reward season-long performance, create a clear pathway to the professional ranks, and establish an elite field of 100 professional anglers competing at the highest level of walleye fishing.
About the National Walleye Tour: The Bass Pro Shops and Cabela'sNational Walleye Tour presented by Progressive is North America's premier competitive walleye fishing circuit. Featuring the sport's top professional and co-angler anglers, the National Walleye Tour showcases world-class fisheries while delivering live event coverage, digital media content, and conservation-focused competition to passionate anglers and fans across the country. For schedules, standings, results, news, and live coverage, visit NationalWalleyeTour.com.