Presented by Yamaha Motor Corp USA and Warrior Boats Inc.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Apr 10, 2025
Contact: Denny Fox, 920-505-0122
Anglers Insight Marketing LLC (AIM™)
It’s On! 2025 AIM Rivers Division Season Kicks off April 12th
You’ve heard the phrase “you should have been here yesterday”? Well, the flip side to that is “good things come to those who wait”, which is probably what AIM Weekend Walleye Series Rivers Division teams will be saying this Saturday when they hit the water in Cassville, WI to fish pools 10 and 11 of the Mississippi River.
It was only a week ago that the Lynxville and Guttenberg dams lifted their Tainter gates and rollers, and water levels quickly rose four feet and sent high, muddy, debris-filled water downstream and made practice fishing, well, downright impractical. “There was a lot of garbage rolling through. It was pretty eventful”, said Rivers Division Captain Matt Thompson, probably understating his experience during last Saturday’s practice.
The good news is that water levels are on their way down now, and clarity is improving. Add in predictions for warm temperatures and light winds up to, and through Saturday, and all systems are “go” for big bags of walleye. “As you know Fan Nation, spring weather can be highly unpredictable, but Mother Nature is smiling on the Rivers Division this year,” says Denny Fox, AIM national tournament director.
But that nice weather also brings big crowds. In addition to the expected high number of recreational anglers, AIM competitors will share the water with anglers fishing two other tournaments launching out of Guttenberg (near the dam below pool 10) on the same weekend. “The river gets really busy at the dams this time of year”, says Thompson.
While many Rivers Division teams will focus just downstream from the Guttenberg dam, others will lock through and make the 40-mile run up to the Lynxville dam. However, reports are already coming in of people catching spawned-out fish and those post-spawn fish may hold on downstream structures, including wing dams, so it will pay to keep an open mind.
Such a scenario usually favors versatility, and anglers who adapt the quickest to changing conditions can expect to do well. Despite never having fished pools 10 or 11 before, Spring Valley, WI native and Rivers Division captain Dan McGuire and partner Luke Kersten, relish the challenge and are eager to build on last season’s success which saw them finish third in the Rivers Division Championship and qualify for the National Championship Shootout in their first season on the AIM circuit. “Luke is very good at thinking outside the box so if the situation calls for something different, he’ll figure it out”, says McGuire, adding that they expect the area from the launch site in Cassville upstream to the dam at Guttenberg to produce most of the fish.
Pitching jig and plastic combos will probably be the go-to presentation for many, but given the changeable conditions almost any tactic is in play (with the possible exception of willow cats – an admission willow cat gurus Thompson and partner Brad Seidel reluctantly concede). “People will be pulling heavies and using Dubuque rigs as well”, says Thompson. “I even saw someone catch one on a fly during practice.”
This year marks the third season for the Rivers Division, and it promises to be bigger and better than ever. “We’ve got a bunch of new teams in the Rivers Division this year and that makes an already great field even better. All of them have their eye on the $9,000 first place payout (based on a 100-boat field) and just as important, the start of the accumulation of Yamaha Motor Corp Team Of The Year points.”
So, what’s it going to take to win? Having practiced during last Saturday’s ugly conditions, Thompson is understandably bearish, saying “on Saturday, we had 22 pounds, so I would say 22 to 25 pounds”. McGuire is more bullish and sees the stars aligning for a phenomenal tournament and won’t be surprised to see last year’s 32-pound first place bag (caught by Connor Steffens and Benjamin Baker) beaten by someone – ideally, he and Kersten.
Time will tell, so stay tuned and watch for updates throughout the day on AIM’s Facebook page. And for those looking to get in on the fun, visit aimfishing.com and sign up for the next Rivers Division event or one of the other three divisions.
Here’s the important deadlines for this Saturday: The team rules and registration meeting takes place online at 7pm Friday, April 11. Boat inspection takes place from 5:30am – 6:45am at Cassville Public Launch. The first flight of boats goes at 7:00am and must return by 3:00pm. The second flight goes at 7:15am and must return by 3:15pm. Awards will take place at the launch. Good luck, all teams, and stay safe!
Anglers Insight Marketing LLC (AIM™) is a unique tournament organization created and owned by many of the most accomplished and recognizable professional walleye anglers, along with others who share the mission of advancing competitive walleye fishing and making it sustainable into the future.
AIM is committed to marketing excellence on behalf of its tournament competitors, the tournament host communities, and the brands that partner with it. AIM is also committed to maintaining healthy fisheries across the nation by the development of the exclusive AIM Catch-Record-Release™ format which is integral to its dynamic events and unparalleled consumer engagement. For more information about AIM™, AIM Pro Walleye Series™, AIM Weekend Walleye Series, AIM sponsors and AIM anglers, visit www.aimfishing.com.
AIM Presenting Sponsors: Yamaha Motor Corporation U.S.A. and Warrior Boats inc.
AIM Supporting Sponsors: Mercury Marine, Garmin, Worldwide Marine Insurance, Off Shore Tackle, JT Outdoors Products, McQuoids Inn, Rosemore Outdoor Gear, Adventure Recreational Finance, Oconto County WI., Forever Barnwood, The Bighorn Store