With walleye season opening on the third weekend of May in Zone 8 and the Mattagami First Nation Spring Walleye Tournament only a month away now, I thought we’d take a look at Northern Ontario Walleye Trail Vice-President Shane Turcotte.

Below are some of the questions I asked Shane and his replies.

Where you born?

Born in Sault Ste. Marie and grew up in the Sault Ste. Marie area.

Who played a role in getting you started in fishing.

My dad and grandfather played roles in getting me started fishing. Always looked forward to our family fishing trip May long weekend.

As a youth, where did you fish and for what?

Cut my teeth on fishing for speckled trout in back lakes with my father. It was always about the portage or the ride there anticipating the big catch. My family was big into lakers and specks. We did do some fishing for walleye, too, but it wasn’t our focus.

What age did you start fishing?

Started fishing when I was 3 or 4, but really can’t remember. My dad would tell me stories of how impatient I was for fishing. Always gave him a hard time when the fish weren’t biting.

How did you get into walleye tournament fishing and why?

Started fishing more for walleye late high school and first few years of college, but it wasn’t a main focus yet. I went on a trip to the Foleyet area with some friends a few times and that got me more hooked. I started reading about walleye tournaments and decided to enter into a PWT event as a co angler. This was my first real introduction into tournament walleye fishing. I loved it and couldn’t get enough.

I then sourced out the NOWT and couldn’t believe there was something out there to challenge myself against others. I embarked on the NOWT in 2009 and never looked back. I love the aspect of time limit, boundaries and the race to my spot with great anticipation. That feeling when you hook into a nice greenback during tournament hours is amazing.

I look at tournament fishing analytically; water temperature, food source, structure, nearby structure, seasonal depth, movement path, holding areas, etc. It is always fun to breakdown a lake and prove your knowledge. It is a great confidence builder.

What was your most memorial fishing experience and why?

Family fishing with dad, uncle and grandfather. Now I am making new memories with my daughter. Fished our first tourney together last year. Had a great time.

List any anglers that helped you learn more about fishing over the years.

The list is extensive and I do not want to offend anyone by not mentioning their name. I look at every opportunity to fish with someone new because we can all learn something every time.

List sponsors and tournament finishes.

National Pro Team with Crestliner, Mercury, Northland Tackle, Streamside, Off Shore Tackle, Garmin, Clam. Best tournament finishes are: fist place in Kapuskasing and second place finish in a Masters Walleye Circuit event in Detroit. Qualified for two National Walleye Championship events based on consistent finishes on the US circuit. Only 30-40 teams are invited each year to compete head to head.

Biggest fishing supports over the years. Example, wife, family and friend(s)?

Nothing I do is possible without the support at home from my wife and understanding from my daughter. I have missed some birthdays and some Easters to go fishing in a tournament.

What are some of your favourites to fish for and why?

I love fishing for walleye, but I still like tackling a speck pond in the middle of nowhere. Hard to beat the quiet and peacefulness.

What is your favourite fishing technique(s) for walleye?

I am a power fisherman so I like to cover lots of water. Trolling cranks or spinners allow me to do that. That being said, when I find a concentration of fish then I will get out the finesse baits and start working them. Hard to beat a jig and minnow.

Why do you fish walleye tournaments?

It’s the competition aspect, ultimate measuring stick for me and what I think I know about fishing. You still need to have some fish luck, though. The mental part is also demanding, it’s about making the right decisions throughout the day that produce results. A day can change in five minutes.

Why did you agree to have your bio done?

It’s always good to share experiences.

Any tips you would give to a new walleye angler looking at fishing the NOWT?

Talk to people, be open to new ideas. Socialize with the anglers, lots of great knowledge there.

What would be some of your greatest accomplishes over the years of fishing?

Representing the brands I represent today. It is always nice to partner with others that believe what you believe. The great friends I have made through this great sport of fishing. Growing the sport with the next generation through my volunteer time with many service clubs. Being named Kiwanian of the Year as a definite highlight. Bringing a big-named tournament to Sault Ste. Marie and being recognized as when of the best tournaments on the NOWT in that time. Appearing on TV and exposure in different fishing magazines is always a highlight.

A little reminder for anyone interested in testing your skills this season against some of the top anglers competing in the Northern Ontario Walleye Trail is that there is still room for you register for the 18th Annual Spring Walleye Tournament held on June 3-4 by Mattagami First Nations on beautiful Mattagami Lake.

With $45,750 in cash prizes based on 125 teams and a $10,000 first prize, this should be another great tournament. Hope to see you there.