Featured Sponsors
Oahe Wings and Walleye
Northern Dewatering
MISSOURI RIVER TOURISM
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.
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
2026 SDWC Format Explained
Akaska Community Center
109 Main St, Akaska, SD 57420
2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
7:00 PM
Akaska Community Center Bar
Food & Drink Options (Friday Afternoon–Evening)
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:
Weigh-In Locations (Open to the Public)
📌 Notes for Spectators & Anglers:
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.
Food & Drink Options (All Day)
Saturday Night - Live Music in Akaska
Gunnar Latham Live at the Akaska Community Center.
Fishing Hours: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Bi-hourly weigh-in time slots:
Weigh-In Locations
Akaska Community Center
109 Main St, Akaska, SD 57420
4:00 PM – Community Center Bar Opens
5:30 PM – Awards Ceremony
Food & Drink Options (All Day)
Senior Fishing Day Cancellation Notice
Due to the weather forecast and out of concern for the safety and comfort of our participants and volunteers, the 17th Annual Senior Citizens Fishing Day scheduled for June 17, 2026, has been canceled.
We know many people were looking forward to this special day on Lake Oahe, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to all of the volunteers, pontoon boat operators, organizers, and community members who generously set aside time in their schedules to help make this event possible. Your willingness to give back to our seniors is greatly appreciated and does not go unnoticed.
We also want to thank everyone who registered to participate. We were looking forward to spending the day on the water with you and share in your disappointment that the weather did not cooperate this year.
Please help us spread the word by sharing this update with anyone who may have planned to attend.
Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to future opportunities to bring our community together on Lake Oahe.
Questions contact:
Bob Heier – 504-330-3375 or 605-649-7843
Craig Melhaff – 605-228-3287
Oahe Wings and Walleye
Northern Dewatering
MISSOURI RIVER TOURISM