Core Series Schedule
APRIL 10-13, 2026
WHITE RIVER / TEAM WHITE
MAY 22-25, 2026
EEL RIVER / WILDCAT CREEK
COMING SOON
JUNE 12-15, 2026
COLUMBUS (IN) AREA RIVERS
COMING SOON
JULY 10-13, 2026
WHITE RIVER / TIPPECANOE RIVER
COMING SOON
AUGUST 7-10, 2026
SUGAR CREEK
COMING SOON
SEPTEMBER 25-28, 2026
TIPPECANOE RIVER / TEAM TIPPECANOE
COMING SOON
2026 IMWS Core Trail Series
The Core Trail Series is the foundation of the Indiana Moving Water Series. Designed as a lower buy-in, lower-stakes opportunity to compete, the Core Series delivers competitive moving water tournaments in a format that's fun, accessible, and built for anglers of all experience levels. If the Signature Series is high pressure, the Core Trail is where you sharpen your edge.
Entry & Format
- Standard entry fee: $40
- Standard IMWS payout structure (10% of field paid)
- Optional Big Bass payout
- 4-day 'pick one' format (Friday–Monday)
- Choose ONE day to compete against the entire field
- 8-hour competition window
- Best 5 fish format
This flexible schedule lets anglers compete around work, family, and weather—without sacrificing competitive integrity.
Special Events: Team & Individual
- The first and final Core events of the season feature:
- Individual tournament
- Team tournament
- Option to register for either or both
Team events add an extra layer of strategy and camaraderie while still maintaining IMWS individual scoring standards.
Championship Qualification
The Core Trail offers multiple paths to the IMWS River Championship. Anglers may qualify by:
- Fishing 4 individual Core events, OR
- Fishing 5 total events combined between the Core and Signature trails, OR
- Month Long Series events do not count toward River Championship qualification.
The Core Series is a legitimate path to Championship competition.
Angler of the Year (AOY)
- 6 Core events total
- Best 4 finishes count toward Core AOY
- Team events DO NOT count towards AOY
- 100-point descending scoring format
- Tie breakers determined by total inches across qualifying events
Consistency matters. You don't have to fish every event—but your top four will determine your standing.
Built for Competition — Designed for Fun
The Core Trail is ideal for anglers who:
- Want competitive structure without higher entry pressure
- Are building experience on Indiana's rivers
- Enjoy the flexibility of the IMWS format
- Want a clear path toward Championship qualification
- Prefer a balanced, fun atmosphere with strong competition
Whether you're new to moving water tournaments or a seasoned angler looking for steady competition, the Core Trail delivers the right mix of challenge and accessibility.