Competitor boats at the 2016 Geraldton Walleye Classic.
It’s that time of year again when anglers start booking holidays for family vacations and tournaments.
If you’re a walleye angler that enjoys chasing these fish in different water bodies or testing your skills against other anglers, the Northern Ontario Walleye Trail (NOWT) offers you that opportunity.
With some of the biggest tournament payouts, it’s no wonder anglers come from as far as Southern Ontario, other Canadian provinces and the United States to compete against some of the best walleye anglers that fish the NOWT.
I thought I would ask the six sanctioned NOWT tournament organizers, past president Larry Naveau of Mattagami First Nation Spring and Fall Walleye Classic, Chantal Mantha of the Dubreuilville Magpie Walleye Derby, Cory Nephin of the Geraldton Walleye Classic, Nicholas Isbelle of the Kapuskasing River Walleye Tournament, and Laura Owl of the Sagamok Fall Walleye Classic on what an angler can expect when they come to fishing their tournament location.
The first event starts off in the spring at Mattagami First Nation Walleye Tournament in June. Mattagami offers anglers a chance to fish deep water, sand, and rock shoals.
Although known for it’s early season shallow water bite, don’t rule out mid depths, humps, and flats.
The Dubreuilville Magpie Walleye Derby is held on the Magpie River which is a reservoir. This river has 20 miles of great fishing that can accommodate new comers to the sport all the way to most seasoned anglers.
Many of the derby participants may call this the “SNAG” pie as many stumps and logs at the bottom of the river steal their fishing lures.
From year to year, our top 10 varies as our water level is not stable. Take the time to challenge this river. This fishing event is yours to discover.
The Geraldton Walleye Classic is held annually at Macleod Provincial Park which sits on the shores of Kenogamisis Lake which is the third event on the trail.
At over 25 kms in length with numerous bays and arms, the lake offers a perfect arena for the 120 teams to battle for first prize. The lake’s popularity is largely due to the many angling options which are effective to put walleye in the boat.
Although mostly shallow and offering many miles of weed lines and rocky shoals for casting, pitching jigs and shallow water trolling, the lake does have areas of 30 feet plus for the deep water specialists.
If the water levels are high or the weather is wet, walleye will congregate and feed in the current areas located throughout the system.
The lake is more known for the number of walleye as opposed to the size.
Although each year a few tournament anglers seem to find 25 – 29 inch walleye, most anglers are catching large numbers of 12 to 17 inch fish with a few in the 18 to 24 inch range.
The fourth stop sees anglers heading to the Kapuskasing River Walleye Tournament.
This tournament is held on a 40km section of the Kapuskasing River. This river offers a variety of structure and cover to offer good fishing for all sizes of walleye in depths up to 70-80 feet.
Last year, 106 boats registered for the tournament, which gave out more than $30,000 in cash and prizes.
All boats inspections and fish weigh-ins are made at the Freed Flat Boat Launch site.
Fishing boundaries are from the start line at the Freed Flat Bridge to North to the Mattagami 100ft narrows and also to the mouth of the Groundhog River.
In 2006 a 13lb walleye was caught during the tournament.
Anglers return to Mattagami First Nation for the fifth event: the Mattagami First Nation Fall Walleye Classic Tournament.
Although it’s on the same system, the Walleyes are starting to make their transition from their summer location to early fall locations. Here, anglers have the opportunity to find fish in a variety of locations which makes for an exciting tournament.
The finial stop sees anglers heading to Sagamok Fall Walleye Classic that is held on the Spanish River.
This tournament registration tends to fill up quickly. Anglers from far and near come to compete for their chance at $37,500 in prizes. In this tournament, anglers will fish one of the rivers known best for its walleye.
The Spanish River has all the elements a walleye angler is looking for such as deep holes, sandy shoals, weeds and rock beds.
At the end of this tournament, the NOWT tallies up the top three best finishes of anglers that have competed in at least three of the NOWT Sanction Events and crowns the 2017 Angler Of The Year.
Whether you’re a novice walleye angler or a seasoned vet, the NOWT offers you the opportunity to test your skills against some of best walleye anglers in Northern Ontario, gain exposure for yourself and sponsors, potentially gain sponsorships, meet knew friends and make new contacts.
For further information on dates, registrations forums and fees for each event, please visit the Northern Ontario Walleye Trail website http://www.nowt.ca/.
A little reminder if you haven’t already registered for Mattagami First Nation Winter Pike Derby Feb. 25, there is still time. Please visit http://www.mfnfishing.com/tournaments/mfn-winter-pike-derby/ to ensure your spot.
This is a great and fun tournament that will fill your tournament itch until the open water season starts.
Whether you’re an angler or hunter; a camp, lodge, resort owner; or just holding an outdoor event and would like some exposure, please feel free to email us at bungee001@gmail.com.
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