October 07, 2021
By In-Fisherman Staff
SHEFFIELD LAKE, Ohio – Have you ever caught a single fish worth more than $150,000?
Somebody is going to this fall during the inaugural National Fishing Expos Walleye Slam on Lake Erie.
Excitement is starting to build as the start of Ohio’s newest fall walleye derby approaches. The Walleye Slam is set to kick off on October 15, 2021 and will end on November 28, 2021, giving anglers six weeks to catch the biggest walleye they can on the greatest walleye fishery in the world – Lake Erie – and capture a share of the more than $300,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) projected there to be approximately 151 million catchable walleye in Lake Erie in 2021. Surely, not all of them have been caught, which leaves ample opportunities for Walleye Slam entrants to pursue a true fish of a lifetime either from a boat, from shore or a kayak. As of October 6, there were more than 3,700 people registered for the Walleye Slam.
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The Walleye Slam was born from a combined effort of David Hoheisel, the owner of The National Fishing Expos (formerly The Columbus Fishing Expo), Brian Zarembski, owner of Erie Marine Sales, along with local angler Eric Fritz and Craig Lewis, owner of Erie Outfitters who will serve as the weighmaster for the event. Their mission was to a create new fall tradition geared toward families while striving to promote Lake Erie’s world-class fishing, local businesses, Lake Erie’s charter captains, and provide information and support to the anglers of Lake Erie.
The format of the Walleye Slam allows anglers of all backgrounds and skill levels to participate on their own schedules and feel safe doing it.
“We are extremely excited to get the Walleye Slam up and running this fall and grateful to our sponsors for their support in making it possible,” Hoheisel said.
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Erie Outfitters, located along the lake shore in Sheffield Lake, will serve as the official weigh station for the Walleye Slam and Lewis is anxious to see some Lake Erie giants come through the doors.
“Lake Erie is known as a walleye factory and I cannot wait to see the caliber of fish brought to the scales during the Walleye Slam over the next six weeks,” Lewis said. “It’s going to be incredible to see someone take home that Warrior V 238.”
The angler who catches the heaviest walleye during the event will win the grand prize – a fully-loaded Warrior V 238 multi-species boat powered by a Mercury Verado 400 HP outboard along with a Mercury 15 HP kicker, Lowrance electronics and a Minn Kota trolling motor, a package valued at $151,670.
Loads of other prizes as well as cash awards will be handed out as well. The entry fee is $35 and the deadline to enter is October 11, 2021.
Anglers from around the world can stay on top of the action by following the Walleye Slam Live Leaderboard, which will be updated in real-time as fish are weighed. Visit the Live Leaderboard . Register online for the Walleye Slam
More information about the Walleye Slam rules and regulations .
Walleye Slam sponsors
2021 Walleye Slam Gold Sponsors: Warrior Boats, Fiocchi, May’s Trailers and Hitches
2021 Walleye Slam Live Leaderboard Sponsors: Warrior Boats, Lakewood Products, SKB Cases, Luna Sea, Nerka, FXR, Fishing Addiction Gear, Hook and Drag, Snakebite, Big Fish Tuff, Red Beard Seasonings
2021 Walleye Slam Kids Division Sponsors: May Trailer Sales, TR Sportfishing, A&C Sportfishing Charters
2021 Walleye Slam Veteran’s Sponsor: Reel Warrior Fishing
