2026 South Dakota Walleye Classic and AFTCO Walleye Throwdown

The 2026 AFTCO Walleye Throwdown returns to Akaska, South Dakota for its second year in partnership with the South Dakota Walleye Classic, bringing even bigger prizes and an expanded tournament-style format to the South Dakota Walleye Classic & Festival.

While the South Dakota Walleye Classic is made possible by the support of many valued sponsors, AFTCO continues to elevate this event by delivering larger payouts, specialty awards, and a high-energy competitive structure that gives anglers multiple ways to win.

At the center of it all: one lucky angler could take home a brand new Ford Maverick, awarded for the single heaviest walleye weighed during the two-day event.

Entry Fees: $200 per Angler. Anglers who register by June 30, 2026, receive a $200 AFTCO gear pack, returning the full value of their entry fee in premium gear.

• Register Here
• View Full Rules
• Visit AFTCO Walleye Throwdown Event Page

Grand Prize
Brand New Ford Maverick Awarded to the angler with the heaviest walleye over the full two-day event

Bi-Hourly Big Walleye Payouts
Every competition day | 4 sessions per day | Based on a 200-angler field
Bi-Hourly Payout Structure:
1st – $700
2nd – $600
3rd – $475
4th – $400
5th – $325
6th – $300
7th – $275
8th – $250
Anglers are eligible for all bi-hourly payouts and the grand prize with a single entry.

Specialty Awards

Kent Kramer Youth Award – $1,000
Highest placing youth angler (under 18)

Buckley Schilling Pontoon Award – $3,000
Highest placing angler fishing from a pontoon boat

Women’s Award – $1,000
Highest placing lady angler

Exact Weight Awards – $1,000 each
3.00 lb Exact (or closest)
4.00 lb Exact (or closest)
5.00 lb Exact (or closest)
Tie-breaker: first fish weighed

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2026 SDWC Format Explained

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Tournament Schedule & Event Details

Friday – Registration & Kickoff

Akaska Community Center
109 Main St, Akaska, SD 57420

2:00 PM – 6:00 PM

• Tournament registration open
• Vendor & sponsor displays
• AFTCO apparel available for purchase at registration

7:00 PM

• Mandatory Rules Meeting
• Calcutta immediately following the rules meeting

Akaska Community Center Bar

• Open 2:00 PM until completion of the Calcutta

Food & Drink Options (Friday Afternoon–Evening)

• Food trucks available on Main Street: Shag-In-Pit BBQ & Shari’s Jo & Go (coffee & slushies)
• Local dining and drinks available at Sportsman's Bar & Grill

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Saturday – Tournament Day One

Fishing Hours: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
(May be adjusted due to weather prior to tournament start)

Each competition day is divided into four (4) bi-hourly weigh-in time slots:

• 7:00–9:00
• 9:00–11:00
• 11:00–1:00
• 1:00–3:00

Weigh-In Locations (Open to the Public)

• Swan Creek Recreation Area
• West Whitlock Recreation Area

📌 Notes for Spectators & Anglers:

• State park passes are required to enter either recreation area
• Exact dock locations will be announced closer to the event based on lake levels
• Spectators are welcome to watch weigh-ins at both locations

Live Leaderboard
A live leaderboard will be available throughout the event at both weigh-in locations, showing bi-hourly results and overall standings in real time.

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Sunday – Tournament Day Two & Awards

Fishing Hours: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Bi-hourly weigh-in time slots:

• 7:00–9:00
• 9:00–11:00
• 11:00–1:00
• 1:00–3:00

Weigh-In Locations

• Swan Creek Recreation Area
• West Whitlock Recreation Area

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Awards & Closing Celebration

Akaska Community Center
109 Main St, Akaska, SD 57420

4:00 PM – Community Center Bar Opens

5:00 PM – Awards Ceremony

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Additional Information

• Tournament rules, boundaries, and registration details are available here.
• Food vendors may change, activities, and dock specifics will be announced as the event approaches.