BELLE RIVER, La. (Feb. 9, 2005) n The Louisiana Division of the $8.4 million Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League will visit the Atchafalaya Basin near Belle River Feb. 19 for the first of five regular-season events. As many as 200 boaters and 200 co-anglers are expected to compete in the tournament, which will award as much as $39,000 in cash, including as much as $5,500 to the Boater Division winner.

Belle River Boat Landing in Belle River will host the takeoff and weigh-in at 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., respectively. Anglers will compete for prize money as well as points that count toward postseason competition. Every angler who receives weight credit in a tournament earns points, with 200 points going to the winner, 199 for second, 198 for third, and so on except for the season-ending Super Tournaments, which award 300 points to the winner, 299 points for second, 298 for third, and so on.

If the Feb. 19 tournament is not yet full, entries will be accepted at tournament registration, which will be held Feb. 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Wal-Mart located at 973 Hwy. 90 E. in Bayou Vista, La. Entry fees are $200 for boaters and $100 for co-anglers. A $25 late fee also applies to entries taken on site along with a $25 membership fee for anglers who are not yet members of FLW Outdoors.