2025 Progressive Angler of the Year Update After Two Events

Nussbaum leads, Hjelm in Second, K. McQuoid sits Third

May 30th, 2025 (SPRINGFIELD, Mo.)– Two stops are completed in the 2025 Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s National Walleye Tour presented by Progressive. After the Mississippi River event, the very familiar face of Nitro Boats/ NWT Pro-Angler Dylan Nussbaum is at the top of the list with 391 total earned points thus far in the 2025 season. Dylan is likely looking for revenge on his 2024 NWT campaign after just coming up short of winning the 2024 Progressive Angler of the Year title after finishing third.

 

This year he’s already off to a consistent start in 2025 recording an 8th place finish at Lake Sharpe and a 3rd place finish on the Mississippi River. He’s cashed in on $16,825 in winnings so far this season and also been awarded an additional $5,000 in Nitro Rewards contingency bonuses.

 

 

Right at Dylan’s heals is another familiar face at the top of the NWT leaderboard and captured the 2022 Progressive Angler of the Year title, Duane Hjelm. The Ranger Boats/ NWT Pro-Angler Duane Hjelm is sitting only two points behind Dylan with a total of 389. He has also cashed checks in both NWT events thus far in 2025 recording an 11th place finish in his home state of South Dakota and a 2nd place finish on the Mississippi River. Duane has already earned $17,192 in earnings and has also added to his earnings with Ranger Cup bonuses in both events for 2025, as well as taking took home Garmin and TH-Marine Atlas Jack Plate contingency checks this season.

 

 

Duane’s resume and accomplishments are some of the most respected among NWT anglers. He has won tournaments in both 2023 and 2024 and is already in position to be only the second walleye angler to capture the Progressive Angler of the Year title.

 

 

Duane’s resume and accomplishments are some of the most respected among NWT anglers. He has won tournaments in both 2023 and 2024 and is already in position to be only the second walleye angler to capture the Progressive Angler of the Year title.

 

Rest of the Top 10:

3.) KEVIN MCQUOID              MARATHON, FL                    381

4.) ERIC MCQUOID                 ALGOMA, WI                        379

5.) DANNY PLAUTZ                  LAKEMILLS, WI                    376

6.) MAX WILSON                      CAMPBELLSPORT, WI        371

7.) AUSTIN TOMASEK              HEMLOCK, MI                       361

8.) DAVID LANDSTEINER      CLAREMONT, MN                360

9.) MARK COURTS                   HARRIS, MN                          358

10.) CARTER COURNOYER  LAKE ELMO, MN                  356

 

Full results here: https://outdoorteamworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/NWT-AOY-Pro-Angler-Update-05.29.pdf

 

The 2025 Progressive Angler of the Year title not only gives an NWT Pro-Angler the chance to join a very elite group of anglers, it also comes with a 2026 Nitro ZV21 boat package valued at over $88,000.

 

 2025 National Walleye Tour Schedule:

●       April 24-25             Pierre, SD                  Lake Sharpe

●       May 22-23              La Crosse, WI            Mississippi River

●       July 10-11             Alpena, MI                 Lake Huron

●       August 7-8             Dunkirk, NY               Lake Erie

●       September 3-5      Marinette, WI             Bay of Green Bay

 

For more information on the National Walleye Tour, including the 2025 tournament schedule, fact sheets, photos, and official tournament results from past events, visit nationalwalleyetour.com. Subscribing to the NWT e-newsletter is the best way to receive up-to-date information, registration announcements, sponsor incentives, and Outdoor TeamWorks news.

XXX

 

About National Walleye Tour

National Walleye Tour (NWT) is part of the Outdoor Team Works family of fishing tournaments. The OTW brand offers a wide range of fishing events from professional tournaments to grassroots fishing derbies. All events are supported by some of the top companies in the nation and include on-site activation and activities, as well as extensive media support. For live updates and information, follow NWT on Facebook and Instagram or visit www.nationalwalleyetour.com to catch up on all the action.