Entering its fifth year, the Bass Pro Shops 2022 Rossford Walleye Roundup is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, April 15 and 16.
Due to the growth in last year’s tournament, the Rossford Convention and Visitors Bureau (RCVB) is seeking volunteers to help with the event.
“As the number of teams grows, we need more people to fill critical roles such as traffic control, checking live wells on the boats, dock patrol, guiding fisherman to the lineup for the weigh-in and running the catch up to the stage,” said Beth Genson, director of the Rossford CVB.
As of this week, 35 teams have signed up, including the 2021 champions Josh Everett and Ron Royal.
“The fishermen count on us to be organized and helpful, and we know our volunteers are always great for Rossford events,” Mrs. Genson said.
Tournament volunteers will work outdoors for two to three hour shifts, depending on the assignment.
Boats will launch from Cullen Park in Point Place with the other activities, final weigh-in and awards at Bass Pro Shops in Rossford.
About 25 volunteers are needed for each of the two days.
“We need people starting at Cullen Park in Point Place for the launch in the morning, through the weigh-ins at our store at 4 p.m. both afternoons,” said Bill Sisty, boat room manager at Bass Pro Shops.
Tournament volunteers must attend a meeting and pizza party on Wednesday, April 13, at 6 p.m., at Bass Pro Shops to confirm their assignment and review event details.
The tournament is open to all two-person teams. Payouts are based on the number of entries and anticipated to return an estimated $20,000 back to the winning teams.
In 2021, the tournament attracted 53 teams with anglers coming from Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania, New York and Wisconsin.
They caught more than 2,449 pounds of fish with an average two-day bag of 51 pounds last year.
The RCVB is promising “the best walleye tournament for anglers in the Midwest.”
Tournament hours will be 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Michigan and Ohio waters of Lake Erie are open for tournament fishing. No Canadian waters fishing is permitted.
The entry fee is $500 per team.
The payout is nearly all of the registration fees plus additional cash prizes for the largest one-day bag weight and big fish purse.
In addition, fishermen are treated to meals and perks from Bass Pro Shops for those who stay in the hotels on Clark Drive in Rossford.
Rossford hotels including the Courtyard Marriott, Hampton Inn, and Country Inn and Suites have planned special room rates for fishermen.
Ron Sharp of Bowling Green is the tournament director.
For more details and online registration for volunteers and fishing teams, visit ross fordwalleyeroundup.com.
Or contact Beth Genson, Rossford CVB executive director, at 855-765-5451 or by email at bethgen son@visitrossfordohio .com.