The Knights of Columbus Walleye Classic is a competitive, catch-photo-release walleye tournament held every second Saturday in June on Lake Bemidji and Lake Irving, Bemidji, MN. The tournament is a continuation of the proud 20-year tradition, which began as the Kraus-Anderson Walleye Classic. Kraus-Anderson handed management of the tournament over to the Knights of Columbus Council #1544 in 2015 and we have been going strong ever since. What makes our tournament unique and special is the charitable aspect and focus of the tournament.
Our tournament currently has eleven beneficiaries, including All Pro Dads, Bemidji Area Special Olympics, Bemidji Youth League Baseball, Bemidji High school fishing league, Bemidji Scouts – Voyageurs Area Council, Fishing Has No Boundaries, Let’s Go Fishing, Take A Kid Fishing, Wounded Warrior Guide Service, Knights of Columbus Council #1544 andDNR Fisheries.
Due to the generosity of numerous sponsors, angler registrations and a very successful raffle, the K.C.W.C. has distributed over $900,000 to various community causes and beneficiaries over the past 20 years, with our 11 beneficiaries receiving just short of $70,000 last year alone.
