Courtesy photo The Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit (MWC) Qualifier will be held in Gladstone on July 18 and 19.

GLADSTONE — The City of Gladstone is set to host the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit (MWC) Qualifier on July 18 and 19, marking a significant event for both the local community and competitive fishing enthusiasts. It is organized in partnership with and sponsored by the Delta County Chamber of Commerce, the City of Gladstone, Hannahville Indian Community, the Bays de Noc Sportsfishermen, and Visit Escanaba. The televised catch-and-release fishing tournament is expected to draw professional anglers, media attention, and economic benefits to the area.

The competitive fishing tournament takes place over two days – Friday, July 18 and Saturday, July 19. Anglers are released at 7 a.m. each day from Gladstone’s Van Cleve Park boat launch, located at 1224 Lake Shore Drive, and are expected to return back to the launch at the end of each day to weigh the day’s catch.

Spectators are encouraged to attend the free, family-friendly event daily at 3 p.m. as each two-person team showcases their fish basket live on stage in Van Cleve Park.

The event is limited to Michigan waters only and emphasizes “catch and release” conservation, with the MWC staff members and Great Lakes Sportsfishermen managing fish care and release. Each team is limited to weighing only five walleye each day. Each fish must be 15″ in length or greater, with only one fish over 23″ allowed per angler.

“We are proud to sponsor the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit tournament and welcome anglers from across the nation to experience our world-class fishery,” said Vickie Micheau, Executive Director of the Delta Chamber of Commerce. “Events like this not only highlight the incredible natural resources we have here in our waterfront community but also provide a strong economic boost to our local businesses–from hotels and restaurants to bait shops and gas stations. It’s a win for our community on every level.”

“We’ve had the privilege of working with the professional organizers of MWC events for decades, and we deeply value the strong partnership we’ve built over the years. Collaborating with them on this tournament has been both significant and gratifying.”

As excitement builds, the tournament promises to be more than just a competition–It’s a celebration of Delta County’s natural resources, hospitality, and community spirit. With coordinated planning and broad support, this event is poised to showcase the best of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula while bolstering local pride, economic growth, and of course, the one-of-a-kind fishing experience found only in Delta County.

For those unable to attend, live coverage will be available online at masterswalleyecircuit.com and through the official MWC Facebook page at facebook.com/MastersWalleyeCircuit. It is unknown at this time when the event will be televised.