Forty-five qualifying events are conducted annually in more than 20 states, the Crappie USA website states. The tournament sites are divided into four regions with each conducting a minimum of two fall and six spring qualifying tournaments and a regional championship where teams earn the right to compete in the Super Bowl of Crappie Fishing, the Cabela's Crappie USA Classic, held in September each year. More than 8,100 anglers compete annually, the site states.

In 2007 Kaw Lake hosted a qualifying tournament and this year was selected to host the regional tournament. Kaw Lake was the first lake in Oklahoma to be created on the Arkansas River. With over 17,000 acres and 168 miles of shoreline, Kaw Lake is in Crappie USA Inc.'s Region 4 along with Eufaula; Tablerock, MO.; Arkabutla, MS; and Dardanelle, AR

A pre-tournament seminar and dinner for tournament entrants is scheduled for Friday evening at the Kaw City Community Center, according to Kathy Tippin, executive director of the Kaw Lake Association.. Sign up begins at 5 p.m. with the meeting and a National Sponsor Field Test Product Drawing starting at 7 p.m.

"The Kaw Lake Association is excited about working with Crappie USA for our second year," said Kathy Tippin, executive director of the Kaw Lake Association.

The tournament weigh-in will be held on Saturday at Pioneer Park Boat Ramp in Kaw City beginning at 3 p.m. "We are looking for a great weigh-in on Kaw Lake, which is known for excellent springtime crappie action," said Bill Shackelford, tournament director.

"The Kaw Lake Association would like to welcome all Crappie USA anglers and their guests to the area and hope they will take the opportunity to enjoy the many attractions in the region," said Tippin. For information on the area, call 1-877.671.6985 or see HYPERLINK "http://www.kawlake.com" www.kawlake.com. The Econo Lodge in Ponca City is serving as lodging host for the event, Tippin said.

A Crappie Kids Rodeo, sponsored by the Kaw Lake Association and Eastman National Bank, will held in conjunction with the tournament at Pioneer Park in Kaw City. Sign up for the Kids Rodeo is at 8 a.m., with the rodeo set for 9-11 a.m. The event is free to all children 12 and under, and all participants are eligible for a chance to win one of the four Crappie USA $5,000 scholarships to be awarded at the Cabela's Crappie USA Classic. Children pre-registering by Wednesday will receive a t-shirt from Eastman National Bank upon checking in. In addition, prizes will be awarded to the winning boy and girl participants, according to Tippin.

For additional information, call Crappie USA Inc. at 270.395.4204 or visit HYPERLINK "http://www.crappieusa.com" www.crappieusa.com, or HYPERLINK "http://www.cabelas.com" www.cabelas.com

The mission of the Kaw Lake Association it to promote tourism and economic development of northcentral Oklahoma and southcentral Kansas. It. is one of 11 multi-county organizations that work with the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, the Oklahoma Travel Industry Assn. and the other 10 multi-county associations to promote the state tourism industry.