The Knights of Columbus Walleye Classic Committee announces the cancellation of the 2020 Knights of Columbus Walleye Classic fishing tournament, originally scheduled to be held June 13.

Tournament organizers are already making plans to celebrate the 20th Anniversary Walleye Classic, presented by Acme Tools/Milwaukee Tools/Honda Power Equipment, on June 12, 2021 at the Lake Bemidji Waterfront.

The public still has the opportunity to support the tournament's charitable beneficiaries this year by purchasing KCWC raffle tickets, sponsored by Ray's Sport and Marine. 

See the attached document for details.

The KCWC Committee met this week to review information and consider our options for the June 13, 2020 Knights of Columbus Walleye Classic.

Right now the planning environment is very complex and changing quickly. The committee was able to identify several potential scenarios and is busy developing contingency plans for our main goal, which is to go ahead with the tournament if we can do so within public health protocols. No decision has been made on how to proceed and we plan to keep our options open until a later date.

We are thankful for the continued support of our anglers, sponsors and beneficiary organization volunteers across the community and region. Our dream for the 20th Walleye Classic is to provide a tournament that is special and memorable. We still hope to do that - even if in ways we couldn't have imagined! Please stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

Oh, and be sure to get your raffle tickets at Lueken's North, Northwoods Bait and Tackle, or from your favorite Bemidji Youth League Baseball player, BHS fishing team angler, or Knights of Columbus member!

Registration for the 2020 Knights of Columbus Walleye Classic will open for the general public at 8:00 am this Sunday, March 8th, 2020. Two-person fishing teams can register on a first-come, first-served basis on the tournament website kcwalleyeclassic.com.

A list of rules, including fees and registration requirements, can be found on the website. Once registration is full, anglers can opt to join a waiting list in the event of any team cancelations.

This year’s tournament field has been expanded by 20 teams to a total of 120 in celebration of the tournament’s 20th anniversary. Anglers will be competing for a once-in-a-lifetime top prize of $20,000. This is the largest prize in the history of the tournament, as well as the largest field of anglers. Combined with activities for the entire community to enjoy, this one-day tournament is the premier celebration of summer fishing in northern Minnesota.

See the attached release for additional information.

The Knights of Columbus Walleye Classic, presented by Acme Tools/Milwaukee Tools/Honda Power Equipment, will be celebrating its 20th anniversary with a top prize of $20,000! One hundred twenty 2-person teams will compete for the largest prize in the history of the tournament. This year's tournament is June 13th, 2020. Registration for returning teams begins on February 1, and will open to the public on March 8th at 8AM. 

Check the attached press release for more details!

The Knights of Columbus Walleye Classic, presented by Acme Tools/Milwaukee Tools/Honda Power Equipment, distributed $62,706 in proceeds from the 2019 tournament to ten community charities. Over 60 people attended the December ceremony. Over a 19 year tournament history, the Kraus Anderson/Knights of Columbus Walleye Classic has distributed a total of $820,250 to great community causes!

One of the best parts of the KC Walleye Classic is the opportunity for the entire community to get in on the fun! This year we held a raffle for a Lund boat, Mercury motor and Shoreland'r trailer, courtesy Ray's Sport and Marine, as well as several cash prizes sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. A separate drawing was also held for a fantastic Ontario fishing trip to Duck Bay Lodge! This year we also gave away a youth prize package as a part of the kids activity area, sponsored by All Pro Dads. Here's the list of winners!

Raffle:

• Boat - Chris Mills, Stephen, MN
• $1,000 - Barb Mountain, Bemidji, MN
• $500 - Hunter Meyers, Bemidji, MN
• $250 - Tim Kassa, Bemidji, MN
• $250 - Christian Knutson, Bemidji, MN
• $250 - Lynda Drietz, Anoka, MN
• $100 - Mike Albrecht, Bemidji, MN
• $100 - Shelley Ausk, Cass Lake, MN
• $100 - Brian Mustonen, Bemidji, MN
• $100 - Jennifer Monehant, Bemidji, MN
• $100, Richard James, Laporte, MN

Trip to Duck Bay Lodge - Kelly Juelson, Blackduck, MN

Youth Prize Package - Leah Peterson, Witchita, KS

The 2018 Knights of Columbus Walleye Classic, presented by Acme Tools/Milwaukee Tools/Honda Power Equipment, distributed $63,016 to eleven different charitable beneficiaries, an increase of over $16,000 over the previous year. 

See the attached release for more information.

The Walleye Classic is still selling raffle tickets to support our fantastic charitable beneficiaries! It's only $10 for a chance to win one of 19 great cash prizes or the top prize, a Lund boat/Mercury motor/Shoreland'r trailer courtesy Ray's Sport and Marine. Get your tickets at the following:

- Lueken's North

- Northwoods Bait and Tackle

- by mailing a check to KCWC, PO Box 1788, Bemidji MN 56619. Include your name, mailing address and phone number, we'll mail your ticket stub back.

Or by contacting members of the:

- Knights of Columbus

- Bemidji Youth League Baseball

- Bemidji High School Youth Fishing Team

- Scouting leaders

The Knights of Columbus Walleye Classic will be celebrating its 20th Anniversary on June 12, 2021, at the Lake Bemidji Waterfront! Thank you for your patience as we hold off on the 2020 tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic - we'll be back when public health conditions warrant!

Sundquist and Holley, who also won the KCWC in 2004, claimed the championship with 13.86 pounds. Duane and Travis Peterson took second and the Legacy prize with 13.38 pounds. Big Fish prize went to Kurt Knott and Marty McSharry with a 5.81 pound fish!

Click the RedCODE image above to fill in the appropriate information to be notified by your local emergency response team in the event of emergency situations or critical community alerts.