BIG Fishing Tournaments for 2016

Put your angling skills to the test!

By Mathew Koprash Mat is an avid hunter, angler, and tournament fisherman who lives in Northeastern Ontario.

April 12, 2023

When most people think about Northeastern Ontario they think about back lakes, remote lodges and untouched pristine waters. Little do they know that the tournament fishing community in the Region is breaking way and becoming more and more competitive and respected each year. The Northeastern Region is host to multiple tournaments including various species such as pike, walleye, bass, and salmon throughout the entire angling season!

The following should serve as a great guide for all your tournament interests and needs. Tournament series and clubs are highlighted along with tournament dates, locations and contact information. Don't be afraid to try your luck against other Northern Anglers this upcoming season—just don't say I didn't warn you!

Temiskaming Smallmouth Bass

The Temiskaming Smallmouth Bass Series is one of the longest running bass tournament series in Northeastern Ontario. The series covers lakes across the majority of the Region, with anglers competing from all major communities including Greater Sudbury, North Bay, Timmins, Cochrane and New Liskeard. The TSMB Series is a very competitive series with large fields in attendance at all events. If you are looking at trying your luck in a bass tournament sign up now.

The Nipissing Challenge is back this year with over $20,000 in prize payouts based on a full field of 50 teams. This event is on Northeastern Ontario’s BIGGEST and best bass lake, Lake Nipissing! The tournament will be run out of Hunters Bay on July 23rd and 24th and will be a two day combined weight format.

2016 Tournament dates:

June 25th Lake Temagami
June 26th Cassels Lake
July 16th Lake Temiskaming
July 17th Bay Lake
August 13th Trout Lake
August 14th Lake Nipissing out of Hunters Bay
August 27th Lake Kenogami

Classic Dates:

September 24th Cassels Lake
September 25th Lake Temagami
July 23rd & 24th Nipissing Challenge out of Hunters Bay.

Top 50 Pike

The Top 50 Pike organization has been one of the most successful tournament series in the region since 2002. This series is committed to helping communities throughout Northeastern and Central Ontario by having a non-profit organization host each event and in turn raise money for their organizations. It’s a win-win for everyone involved. The Top 50 Pike series is the only pike-focused tournament series in Ontario. The average payout is roughly $5000 for first place with an average of 50 competitors in attendance.

2016 Tournament Dates:

June 11th Vermillion
June 12th Whitewater
June 18th Cache Bay Museum Event
June 19th Lavigne
July 9th Nepewassi
July 23rd Matachewan
August 6th Callander Bay
August 27th Classic, Location TBD

The Manitoulin Expositor Salmon Classic

Manitoulin Island is hosting the first annual Salmon Classic. This is sure to be a great event worth looking into. These fishable waters are absolutely huge and anyone can win this big fish event! There are excellent prizes to be won for largest salmon and trout along with weekly biggest fish payouts. The event spans over a three week period and offers ample opportunity for anglers of all abilities to cash a cheque.

Hit the link to their website to learn more and register today!

2016 Tournament Dates:

July 23rd to August 14th All waters surrounding and including Manitoulin Island

Northern Ontario Walleye Trail

The Northern Ontario Walleye Trail (NOWT) is one of Ontario’s biggest tournament series, especially for walleye. This series has some of the biggest payouts, up to $10,000, in the Region at all of their events.

The NOWT hosts many events across Northern Ontario, including the Dubreuilville Magpie Walleye Derby, Geraldton Walleye Classic, Kapuskasing River Walleye Tournament, Mattagami Lake First Nations Walleye Tournament, Mattagami Fall Classic Walleye Tournament, and the Sagamok Fall Walleye Classic. 2007 saw the NOWT’s first event being held by the Mattagami Lake First Nations and more and more events are added annually.

2016 Tournament Dates:

June 11th Dubreuilville Magpie First Nation
June 25th Geraldton Walleye Classic
August 6th Kapuskasing River Walleye Tournament
September 10th Mattagami Fall Classic
September 24th Sagimok Fall Walleye Classic

Nickel City Bass Tournament Series

The Nickel City Bass Club started in 2013 and has been growing in numbers ever since. With a very experienced and eager executive backed by member involvement, they are off to a great start. This is a fun local series showcasing some of the best lakes in the area. Every year the club introduces events on new bodies of water to attract new anglers and keep it challenging. Events cover the entire Greater Sudbury Area reaching out to Espanola and to the Onaping Lake areas. All events are open to the public providing opportunities for local anglers of all skill level to participate.

2016 Tournament Dates:

June 25th Onaping Lake
June 26th Windy Lake
July 16th Lang Lake
July 17th Mcgregor Bay
August 13th Penache Lake
August 14th Agnew Lake
September 10th Nickel City Bass Classic, Lake TBD

North Bay Bassmasters

The North Bay Bassmasters is a member’s only fishing club with a grassroots tournament series in place. Boater/Non-Boater events are set up to help bring new anglers into bass tournament fishing along with educating and improve one another’s angling abilities. Many local volunteer and conservation events are held to help out the community they live and fish in. The club is affiliated with BASS which allows angler’s opportunities to qualify for Team Ontario and ultimately the Bassmaster Classic!

2016 Tournament Dates:

June 22nd Lake Nipissing @ Lavose
July 3rd Lake Nipissing @ Hunter’s Bay
July 10th Trout Lake
August 7th Lake Nosbonsing
August 21st Lake Nipissing, Cache Bay
September 11th Classic – Lake Nipissing @ Hunter’s Bay
August 13th & 14th OBN Qualifier – Bay of Quinte

Horwood Lake Lodge Annual Walleye Tournament

Horwood Lake lodge is hosting its Annual Walleye Tournament this summer with big money to be won! First prize will be at over $20,000 with a full field of participants. This will be a 2 day live release event with a combined total weight of walleye taking home the title.

The proceeds of this tournament will be donated to the Wabun Tribal Council for the Annual Wabun Youth Gathering.

NOWT will provide support with the first tournament; however results will not be included in the trail standings. We are hoping the Horwood Lake Lodge Tournament will become of part of the NOWT for the 2017 season.

2016 Tournament Date:

August 13th & 14th Horwood Lake

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About Mathew Koprash

Mathew Koprash has been passionate about fishing for his whole life, and is dedicated to sharing his tips and techniques with others who share his passion.