Lake Erie Walleye Trail

If you are going to fish a Lake Erie Walleye Trail, LEWT/BWWC event, you owe it to yourself to read the rules of our circuit. If you break a tournament rule, even on accident because you didn’t know, your team will be disqualified, you will receive zero cash payout, and you will forfeit any points earned toward the Team of the Year title for that event. It is the responsibility of all competitors to be aware of our rules. Rules are posted on the websites.

Q: Are the tournaments one day events or two days? Most LEWT events are one day tournaments. However, there are special events and/or tournaments held in conjunction with another event or circuit during the year that may be two-day events.

The “LEWT Championship” final event is two days. We schedule in a “blow day” for each tournament in case we can’t go due to inclement weather/winds. We’ve also added an August weekend to make up an event cancelled earlier in the season.

Q: What is the payout? For a one-day tournament, 85% of entry fees are paid back to the top nine(9) finishers in a 45-boat (or more) field. For a two-day tournament 90% of entry fees are paid back to the top nine(9) finishers in 45 boat or more field. A full field of 60-teams will result in a first place payout of $5000, and total payout of $16,200 for the top nine teams!

Q: What is Early Bird registration? Early Bird teams are guaranteed an entry for ALL events. They also enjoy the same boat number throughout the season.

Q: When do Early Bird signups begin? January 13, 2022 at 6:00pm sharp. We are limited to 60 Early Bird Teams (full field). Single event entries will become available February 1, 2022 at 10:00am.

Q: Why only 60? Why not 100 teams or more? We are a small group of people who donate seven weekends each season to run these events, we really can’t handle more teams without more helpers, and also going to two flights per tournament.

Q: Can I pay by check for any tournament entry fee? NO – we do not accept checks. All entry fees are via PayPal. Note: You don’t need to have a PayPal account, just a valid credit card.

Q: What is your refund policy? Refunds will not be given if a tournament takes place on a scheduled “blow day”. If the entire tournament weekend has to be rescheduled due to weather, a team that is unable to fish on the make-up date may request a refund. For events not rescheduled for weather, there will be no refunds for non-early bird teams. At the discretion of the Tournament Director, early bird teams may be eligible for one refund per year if a life threatening emergency situation or death in the family arises, and causes both members of the early bird team to miss a tournament. If other events are missed there will be no additional refunds given to early bird teams. All refunds will have a $20 writing fee withheld.

Q: What is LKC? The LEWT Knockout Challenge. It is a bracketed, head-to-head challenge held in conjunction with the LEWT circuit tournaments. It pays back 100% of the $6400 in entry fees collected. It is limited to the first 32 Early Bird teams to purchase their LKC entry. (You MUST be an EB team to participate as the LKC is contested across all four events)

Q: What about LEWT Membership? Can I pay that by check? No checks please. Use our easy online membership form to register or renew your annual membership via PayPal.

Q: Who needs a membership? All participants (except minors) in a LEWT tournament must be LEWT Members. It is only $25 per year, which is a low price compared to some other circuits. Memberships are available on our website and all payments are via Paypal. (we don’t accept personal checks).

Q: What paperwork do I need to get in? You must purchase your annual LEWT Membership and complete the attached online registration/waiver form. Remember, BOTH team anglers must purchase a membership, complete the form and accep the liability waiver.

Q: Where is the membership form? 2022 Membership forms and tournament entry forms are available through our websites at: BigWaterWalleyeChampionships.com and LakeErieWalleyeTrail.com

Q: Where do I get current club information? BigWaterWalleyeChampionships.com and LakeErieWalleyeTrail.com is kept current, & we also have an active Facebook page.

Q: My partner had an emergency, I need to use a sub. Is this allowed? YES, you may use a sub. However, your sub cannot be an original member of another team, and one of the two original team members must be present to get points toward Team of the Year. Please do not wait until the night before the tournament to let us know.

Q: What do I need to do to use the sub? Your sub needs to go to our website, then purchase their membership via PayPal. Your sub must complete the membership form and accept the liability waiver form that is part of the membership purchase. Complete these tasks before the morning of the tournament.

Q: What is your mailing address: Lake Erie Walleye Trail / LEWT | ATTN: Tournament Director | 9217 Kingsley Drive | Chagrin Falls, OH 44023

Q: How do I contact Tournament Director Jason Fischer? Email at bigwaterwalleyechampionships@gmail.com Before you call the Tournament Director you should have reviewed all the information on the website. Please don’t call and ask a rules question that is already explained here. If your question is something urgent in nature for which email won’t do, the number is 330-351-8689.