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