Clear Lake Fishing Club Announces 2026 Tournament Slate; Call for Entries for 36th Annual Walleye Classic
- Tyler Dilley
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CLEAR LAKE, IA – The Clear Lake Fishing Club (CLFC), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is thrilled to announce its 2026 schedule, headlined by the prestigious 36th Annual Clear Lake Spring Walleye Classic presented by title sponsor Northstar Powersports & Marine of Albert Lea, Minnesota.
With the current field at 47 boats and a total capacity for 100 boats, there is still plenty of room for new teams to compete for the title, trophies and a share of the prize money. The club emphasizes that all tournaments are open to the public; anglers may choose to fish the entire series for championship points or enter any tournament as a standalone, individual event. 2 or 3 angler teams are welcome. For all scheduled tournaments, fishing hours will run from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
The Main Event: 36th Annual Spring Walleye Classic
Presented by Northstar Powersports & Marine, the Spring Walleye Classic is a premier two-day competition (May 2–3) and a mandatory qualifier for those pursuing the Iowa Walleye Anglers Championship (IWAC) series title.
Spring Classic Special Purses: In addition to the standard prize money, the Spring Classic features a $500 Traditional Anglers Pot. Furthermore, in the spirit of growing the sport and encouraging youth involvement, a $500 Youth Pot will be awarded to the highest-placing youth angler in the tournament.
Rules Meeting: Friday, May 1st at the Ventura Community Center. Attendance is mandatory. Dinner is provided with entry, followed by a raffle and Calcutta.
Day 1 (Saturday, May 2): Takeoff is at 7:00 AM from the "little lake" in Ventura. Following the day's action, a social will be held at Rumorz Bar & Grill. Food is provided for contestants starting at 5:00 PM, featuring a live band and a "Big Ticket" raffle item. Day 1 catches will be showcased on a big screen.
Day 2 (Sunday, May 3): Takeoff is at 7:00 AM from the downtown boat ramp in Clear Lake.
Grand Finale: The public is invited to the Clear Lake Bandshell at 4:00 PM Sunday for the final weigh-in, featuring a live leaderboard, fish pictures on the big screen, and live angler interviews.
Entry Details:
Standard Entry: $285 per team (includes membership, big fish pot, meal tickets, and app fee).
Family Entry: $265 (limited to spouse/dependents under 21).
To Register: Mail entries with payment to PO Box 565, Clear Lake, IA 50428.
2026 IWAC Tournament Series Schedule
Anglers can compete in these qualifying events for $110 per team (7:00 AM – 3:00 PM) to earn points toward the Team of the Year title:
April 19: Clear Lake, IA
May 2–3: Clear Lake Spring Classic ($285 per team)
May 31: Storm Lake, IA
September 20: Spirit Lake, IA
October 4: Clear Lake Fall Classic
Community & Infrastructure Support
The CLFC's commitment to the community extends beyond the tournament circuit through several annual initiatives:
Annual Prize Fish Program: This community-wide initiative is open to everyone—you do not have to be a club member to participate! Look for fish with pink tags this year. If you catch one, take a photo, cut the tag, and bring it to Clear Lake Bait & Tackle to claim your prize. We strongly encourage a "Catch, Photo, Release" approach to keep the fishery strong.
Annual Public Dock Support: The CLFC is dedicated to improving local access through projects like supporting and maintaining five annual community docks, ensuring fishing remains accessible for everyone.
June 6: Annual Jeff Geisman Memorial Take a Kid Fishing Event at "the grade" in Ventura. Prizes are generously sponsored by Pure Fishing and the Fisherman’s Factory Outlet in Spirit Lake.
June 20: Annual Veterans Fishing Day sponsored by the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation at the Lynn Lorenzen boat ramp.
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS: The club is in urgent need of volunteer boaters for the Veterans Fishing Day on June 20th. If you have a boat and wish to support our local veterans, please contact the club to get involved.
Thank You to Our 2026 Sponsors
Title Sponsor: Northstar Powersports & Marine
IWAC Team of the Year Sponsors: Don’s Auto Body, Outlaw Cycles, LLC.
Event Partners: Pure Fishing, Fisherman’s Factory Outlet, Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation, Rumorz Neighborhood Hideaway, Rumorz Bar & Grill, The Titan Project, Aquatraction of Iowa, Twin Cities Tackle, Clear Lake Bait & Tackle, Tempy’s Guide Service, Let’s Go Fishing Guide Service.
Prize Fish Program Sponsors: Clear Lake Bait & Tackle, Anonymous- “The General”, Clear Lake Fishing Club - Mike Clausen Memorial, Heartland Muskies INC. Chapter 10- Mike Clausen Memorial, Cory Behr Memorial, Rumorz Bar & Grill, Tony’s Tire, Truck, and Towing, Shoreline Dock & Hoist, Stateline Specialized Transporters, Let’s Go Fishing Guide Service, Tempy’s Guide Service, MBT Bank, Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce, Decouraged Apparel, Black Dog BBQ, River City Lounge, American Family Insurance, Optimum Health Clinics, Bull Construction, Troy Loeckle, Fishing with Dylan, Spike’s Tap, Rock Central Sewer & Drain, Hall Realty - Kristi Wilcke, Dr. Mark Mulkey Memorial, Aflac – Jeremy Ruehle, Larry Wiskus Memorial - Matt Wiskus, Larry Paulson Memorial - Matt Wiskus.
Partner with the Clear Lake Fishing Club
The Clear Lake Fishing Club is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the natural resources of Clear Lake and its fishery. Beyond organizing premier events like the Spring Walleye Classic, our mission is to educate the public on environmental stewardship and foster camaraderie among fishing enthusiasts of all ages.
These vital conservation and community initiatives are made possible through the generous support of our partners. To help us continue this work, we offer a tiered sponsorship program that provides local businesses with high-impact brand visibility. As a registered non-profit, the CLFC also accepts tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations looking to invest directly in the future of our local waters.
To discuss sponsorship levels or donation opportunities, please contact Alex or Tyler, or message us directly through the Clear Lake IA Fishing Club Facebook page.
Club Contacts:
Alex Templeton, President: 641-420-4274 | tempy52@gmail.com
Tyler Dilley, Vice President: 515-851-0475 | twd739@gmail.com
