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Free fishing this Mother’s Day weekend

This is a message to all pikes, muskies and trout: take cover.

On May 9 and 10, Canadian residents can fish anywhere in Ontario without purchasing a license or an Outdoors Card.

“Fishing is a great way for families to make unforgettable memories while enjoying the outdoors,” said Mike Harris, Ontario’s Minister of Natural Resources. “Free fishing weekends are an opportunity to check out Ontario’s top‑notch fishing and take part in a timeless tradition that brings people together right across the province.”

If you want to take advantage of free fishing this weekend, remember that conservation license catch and size limits, sanctuaries and all other fishing regulations still apply.

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Winnipeg/Kenora Team Wins FFCBC

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Ian Waterer of Winnipeg and Motei Demers are this year’s winners of the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship.

They weighed in a bag of bass in at 19.69 lbs on the final day of fishing to pass second day leaders, Jeff Gustafson of Kenora and John Peterson of Bemidji, for the win.

Their total catch for the three days was 57.63 lbs.

It is the first time the angling duo have fished the Fort Frances fishing tournament as a team.

Travis Peterson and Jace Peterson, both of Bemidji, finished third

Here are the final standings;

Pos Team Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Total Captain Partner
1 78 21.74 16.20 19.69 57.63 Ian Waterer Motei Demers
2 14 20.27 19.58 16.96 56.81 Jeff Gustafson John Peterson
3 104 18.89 19.46 16.89 55.24 Travis Peterson Jace Peterson
4 17 17.71 16.76 19.56 54.03 Andy Carlson Matt Goldamer
5 101 16.10 19.67 15.86 51.63 Mike Maxton Javyn Maxton
6 13 16.18 16.11 18.59 50.88 Dale Labelle Dave Byrnes
7 98 17.67 14.63 17.81 50.11 Cory Curtis Chase Curtis
8 1 19.21 13.67 16.70 49.58 Troy Norman Jay Samsal
9 61 16.85 13.66 18.96 49.47 Benjamin Nelson Matthew Kennedy
10 65 16.07 15.70 17.67 49.44 Jim Moynagh Gunnar Miesen
11 23 14.12 15.91 19.00 49.03 Scott Sandberg Steve Sandberg
12 8 15.61 16.58 16.47 48.66 Jim Sandelovich Connor Sandelovitch
13 12 15.97 15.47 16.86 48.30 Matt Plante Adam Bolen
14 47 15.61 15.62 16.91 48.14 Mike Badiuk Ryan McDowall
14 63 16.09 15.26 16.79 48.14 Eric Veldhuisen Matt Veldhuisen
16 57 14.11 18.14 15.71 47.96 John Czupryna Andrew Freitag
17 20 18.52 16.57 12.64 47.73 Dave Lindsay Ashley Lindsay
18 84 14.15 16.34 17.08 47.57 Brad Rissanen David Stoot
19 94 17.43 12.97 17.03 47.43 Jeff Hamilton Chris Zahn
20 41 17.95 14.45 14.97 47.37 Paul Jewiss Neil Cooper
21 3 15.68 12.24 18.87 46.79 James Hill Chris Viel
22 5 15.97 14.66 16.06 46.69 Bryan Gustafson Mike Luhman
23 16 15.56 15.17 15.76 46.49 Glenn Ward Vanessa Ward
24 4 15.60 15.54 15.19 46.33 Cole Godbout Braedon Keast
25 102 15.49 18.66 11.82 45.97 Chris Page George Page
26 49 15.87 15.16 14.59 45.62 Bill Godin Nolan Mann
27 37 15.95 14.43 14.96 45.34 Stuart Neniska Diane Neniska
28 19 13.07 16.95 15.01 45.03 Bart Stebnitsky Owen Stebnitsky
29 91 14.53 17.00 12.96 44.49 Dean Smith Jamie Kaun
30 81 16.42 14.53 13.53 44.48 Nick Vescio Kyle Vescio
31 83 15.98 13.52 14.53 44.03 Braydon Kreger Jeff Kreger
32 89 14.97 12.66 16.37 44.00 Chad Buist Ryan Hastie
33 9 17.27 12.45 14.23 43.95 Travis Shallock Jakob Marszowski
34 60 14.16 15.43 14.34 43.93 Devin Stromness Travis Stromness
35 26 10.93 17.81 15.03 43.77 Cole Mann Sydney Willis
36 45 13.78 14.87 14.41 43.06 Darrin Ward Kobi Ward
37 48 14.72 12.13 16.08 42.93 Ryan Witherspoon Riley Caul
38 95 11.63 16.78 14.47 42.88 Ed Morrison Brian Wayash Jr.
39 18 15.19 12.06 14.72 41.97 Kyle Monkman Antti Kuokkanen
40 77 13.74 14.61 13.50 41.85 Mike Salvador Mike Gate
41 73 13.50 14.34 13.77 41.61 Ted Heyens Leo Heyens
42 64 12.08 13.25 15.89 41.22 Connor Carlson Jamie Carlson
43 62 15.77 14.64 10.35 40.76 Peter Stickel Aaron Stickel
44 100 11.21 13.94 15.58 40.73 James Kaemingh Dan Veldhuisen
45 110 11.03 14.42 15.18 40.63 Matt Ruston Wes Townshend
46 76 12.64 13.44 14.41 40.49 Grant Swire Greg Swire
47 80 13.05 11.43 15.82 40.30 Dennis Smith Glen Smith
48 72 13.23 10.64 16.41 40.28 Brian Wayash Sr. Keith Wilson
49 92 15.05 12.40 12.73 40.18 Joe Anthony Dalton Alexander
50 93 14.34 11.54 14.18 40.06 Karl Howells Roy Williamson
51 28 11.10 13.95 14.98 40.03 Richard Rud Tony Jackson
52 34 14.00 14.47 11.53 40.00 Kurt Johnson Pat Jeffries
53 111 12.58 14.37 12.97 39.92 Jon McDonald George McDonald
54 87 13.89 14.02 11.57 39.48 Duane Anderson Derek Anderson
55 88 10.81 15.35 13.31 39.47 Bill Nichols Robert Weaver
56 108 13.23 13.93 12.10 39.26 Mike Graham Paul Visser
57 6 15.36 12.56 10.94 38.86 Carson Dubchak Perry Dubchak
58 58 12.51 11.77 14.55 38.83 Chase Bernard Walker Wegner
59 86 12.71 15.23 10.55 38.49 Tyler Mosbeck Aaron McDowell
60 82 13.15 12.18 13.13 38.46 Jim Steele Kelly Tolen
61 10 12.57 13.89 11.36 37.82 Bill Galusha Jake Boettcher
62 42 11.48 14.17 12.04 37.69 Bruce Hewitson Andrew Bennett
63 99 13.33 13.58 10.57 37.48 Steve Ballan Kent Ballan
64 105 12.85 12.49 11.67 37.01 Matt Christy Adam McIntyre
65 39 15.60 12.31 8.38 36.29 Dan Tucker Cody Vangel
66 43 12.18 13.02 11.06 36.26 Jordan Stus Vince Godbout
67 68 12.17 13.91 10.01 36.09 Parker Lindsay Rob Lindsay
68 106 10.16 15.87 9.70 35.73 Phil Bangert Dave Bangert
69 53 12.12 12.89 10.31 35.32 Wayne Smith Ryan Piaskowski
70 32 11.18 10.60 13.39 35.17 Daniel Mueller Thomas Mueller
71 103 15.19 10.69 9.01 34.89 Mitch Petrik Tyler Venerus
72 35 13.77 8.26 12.66 34.69 Pat Slivinski Jeff Rooney
73 52 12.34 10.97 11.27 34.58 Aiden Weilinga Davis Weilinga
74 36 11.99 11.38 10.97 34.34 Larry Bollig Wes Peterson
75 22 10.93 12.71 10.55 34.19 Tony Casareto John Sandberg
76 51 9.53 12.43 12.17 34.13 Joe Shwetz Jr. John Marc Fortier
77 85 11.66 12.48 9.72 33.86 Luc Diotte Gabriel Diotte
78 96 10.92 12.07 10.45 33.44 Terry Allan Bob Calder
79 59 10.08 9.88 12.76 32.72 Brian Aaltonen Ian Armstrong
79 66 10.83 10.25 11.64 32.72 Dustin Byfuglien Josh Meyers
81 74 6.65 12.57 12.52 31.74 Darwin Thompson Clinton Rooker
82 107 10.52 8.07 11.58 30.17 Fraser Greene Bryce Kejick
83 90 0.00 16.55 12.37 28.92 Brian Comeau Jess Comeau
84 2 12.48 0.00 15.10 27.58 Mike Wilson Eric Olson
85 109 9.91 0.00 15.76 25.67 Jody Shypit Kelvin Caul
86 54 10.80 13.64 24.44 Darryl Galusha Callum Galusha
87 56 9.88 13.68 23.56 Dan Fraser Travis Bruyere
89 97 8.53 0.00 9.79 18.32 Tommy Jourdain Zakk Bruyere
90 7 0.00 SCRATCH . SCRATCH .
90 46 14.14 0.00 14.14 Randy Paishk Mano Copenace
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Two-time FFCBC Winners Lead 2022 Tournee

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A former two-time champion team heads the standings heading into the final day of fishing at the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship.

Jeff Gustafson of Kenora and his fishing partner John Peterson of Bemidji brought in a bag weighing in at 19.58 lbs on Friday to take over top spot heading into the final day of fishing.

They lead by 1.5 lbs over Travis and Jace Peterson, also from Bemidji.

Gustafson and Peterson teamed to win back-to-back championships in 2013 and 2014.

First day leaders, Ian Waterer of Winnipeg and Motei Demers of Kenora, slipped to third.

Defending champs Troy Norman and Jay Samsal are sitting eighth.

Here are the complete standings after day two.

Pos Team Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Total Captain Partner
1 14 20.27 19.58 39.85 Jeff Gustafson John Peterson
2 104 18.89 19.46 38.35 Travis Peterson Jace Peterson
3 78 21.74 16.20 37.94 Ian Waterer Motei Demers
4 101 16.10 19.67 35.77 Mike Maxton Javyn Maxton
5 20 18.52 16.57 35.09 Dave Lindsay Ashley Lindsay
6 17 17.71 16.76 34.47 Andy Carlson Matt Goldamer
7 102 15.49 18.66 34.15 Chris Page George Page
8 1 19.21 13.67 32.88 Troy Norman Jay Samsal
9 41 17.95 14.45 32.40 Paul Jewiss Neil Cooper
10 98 17.67 14.63 32.30 Cory Curtis Chase Curtis
11 13 16.18 16.11 32.29 Dale Labelle Dave Byrnes
12 57 14.11 18.14 32.25 John Czupryna Andrew Freitag
13 8 15.61 16.58 32.19 Jim Sandelovich Connor Sandelovitch
14 65 16.07 15.70 31.77 Jim Moynagh Gunnar Miesen
15 91 14.53 17.00 31.53 Dean Smith Jamie Kaun
16 12 15.97 15.47 31.44 Matt Plante Adam Bolen
17 63 16.09 15.26 31.35 Eric Veldhuisen Matt Veldhuisen
18 47 15.61 15.62 31.23 Mike Badiuk Ryan McDowall
19 4 15.60 15.54 31.14 Cole Godbout Braedon Keast
20 49 15.87 15.16 31.03 Bill Godin Nolan Mann
21 81 16.42 14.53 30.95 Nick Vescio Kyle Vescio
22 16 15.56 15.17 30.73 Glenn Ward Vanessa Ward
23 5 15.97 14.66 30.63 Bryan Gustafson Mike Luhman
24 61 16.85 13.66 30.51 Benjamin Nelson Matthew Kennedy
25 84 14.15 16.34 30.49 Brad Rissanen David Stoot
26 62 15.77 14.64 30.41 Peter Stickel Aaron Stickel
27 94 17.43 12.97 30.40 Jeff Hamilton Chris Zahn
28 37 15.95 14.43 30.38 Stuart Neniska Diane Neniska
29 23 14.12 15.91 30.03 Scott Sandberg Steve Sandberg
30 19 13.07 16.95 30.02 Bart Stebnitsky Owen Stebnitsky
31 9 17.27 12.45 29.72 Travis Shallock Jakob Marszowski
32 60 14.16 15.43 29.59 Devin Stromness Travis Stromness
33 83 15.98 13.52 29.50 Braydon Kreger Jeff Kreger
34 26 10.93 17.81 28.74 Cole Mann Sydney Willis
35 45 13.78 14.87 28.65 Darrin Ward Kobi Ward
36 34 14.00 14.47 28.47 Kurt Johnson Pat Jeffries
37 95 11.63 16.78 28.41 Ed Morrison Brian Wayash Jr.
38 77 13.74 14.61 28.35 Mike Salvador Mike Gate
39 86 12.71 15.23 27.94 Tyler Mosbeck Aaron McDowell
40 3 15.68 12.24 27.92 James Hill Chris Viel
40 6 15.36 12.56 27.92 Carson Dubchak Perry Dubchak
42 39 15.60 12.31 27.91 Dan Tucker Cody Vangel
42 87 13.89 14.02 27.91 Duane Anderson Derek Anderson
44 73 13.50 14.34 27.84 Ted Heyens Leo Heyens
45 89 14.97 12.66 27.63 Chad Buist Ryan Hastie
46 92 15.05 12.40 27.45 Joe Anthony Dalton Alexander
47 18 15.19 12.06 27.25 Kyle Monkman Antti Kuokkanen
48 108 13.23 13.93 27.16 Mike Graham Paul Visser
49 111 12.58 14.37 26.95 Jon McDonald George McDonald
50 99 13.33 13.58 26.91 Steve Ballan Kent Ballan
51 48 14.72 12.13 26.85 Ryan Witherspoon Riley Caul
52 10 12.57 13.89 26.46 Bill Galusha Jake Boettcher
53 88 10.81 15.35 26.16 Bill Nichols Robert Weaver
54 68 12.17 13.91 26.08 Parker Lindsay Rob Lindsay
54 76 12.64 13.44 26.08 Grant Swire Greg Swire
56 106 10.16 15.87 26.03 Phil Bangert Dave Bangert
57 93 14.34 11.54 25.88 Karl Howells Roy Williamson
57 103 15.19 10.69 25.88 Mitch Petrik Tyler Venerus
59 42 11.48 14.17 25.65 Bruce Hewitson Andrew Bennett
60 110 11.03 14.42 25.45 Matt Ruston Wes Townshend
61 105 12.85 12.49 25.34 Matt Christy Adam McIntyre
62 64 12.08 13.25 25.33 Connor Carlson Jamie Carlson
62 82 13.15 12.18 25.33 Jim Steele Kelly Tolen
64 43 12.18 13.02 25.20 Jordan Stus Vince Godbout
65 100 11.21 13.94 25.15 James Kaemingh Dan Veldhuisen
66 28 11.10 13.95 25.05 Richard Rud Tony Jackson
67 53 12.12 12.89 25.01 Wayne Smith Ryan Piaskowski
68 80 13.05 11.43 24.48 Dennis Smith Glen Smith
69 54 10.80 13.64 24.44 Darryl Galusha Callum Galusha
70 58 12.51 11.77 24.28 Chase Bernard Walker Wegner
71 85 11.66 12.48 24.14 Luc Diotte Gabriel Diotte
72 72 13.23 10.64 23.87 Brian Wayash Sr. Keith Wilson
73 22 10.93 12.71 23.64 Tony Casareto John Sandberg
74 36 11.99 11.38 23.37 Larry Bollig Wes Peterson
75 52 12.34 10.97 23.31 Aiden Weilinga Davis Weilinga
76 96 10.92 12.07 22.99 Terry Allan Bob Calder
77 35 13.77 8.26 22.03 Pat Slivinski Jeff Rooney
78 51 9.53 12.43 21.96 Joe Shwetz Jr. John Marc Fortier
79 32 11.18 10.60 21.78 Daniel Mueller Thomas Mueller
80 66 10.83 10.25 21.08 Dustin Byfuglien Josh Meyers
82 59 10.08 9.88 19.96 Brian Aaltonen Ian Armstrong
83 74 6.65 12.57 19.22 Darwin Thompson Clinton Rooker
84 107 10.52 8.07 18.59 Fraser Greene Bryce Kejick
85 90 0.00 16.55 16.55 Brian Comeau Jess Comeau
86 2 12.48 0.00 12.48 Mike Wilson Eric Olson
86 46 14.14 0.00 14.14 Randy Paishk Mano Copenace
87 109 9.91 0.00 9.91 Jody Shypit Kelvin Caul
88 56 9.88 9.88 Dan Fraser Travis Bruyere
89 97 8.53 0.00 8.53 Tommy Jourdain Zakk Bruyere
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LOW Women’s Walleye Back Saturday

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The Lake of the Woods Women’s Walleye Tournament gets underway Saturday.

Jen Hansen is chair of the event and says not much will have to change because of COVID-19.

“Some differences this year is that we don’t have an in-person rule meeting, awards or a dinner,” says Hansen, “Luckily with the nature of a fishing tournament teams spend most of their day alone out on the lake, so there weren’t too many chances that we had to make.”

She tells us why it’s such an important event.

“We are the only women’s tournament of any kind in our region. We aim to empower and give space to women in fishing events. Women are the fastest-growing segment in the fishing industry and I think that especially our sponsors recognize that and can see just how untapped this market is.”

Hansen adds that that’s not all that sets it apart.

“Being a conservation-minded tournament, we are a catch, record release only (tournament). That means no live fish are coming to the docks at the end of the day. Teams will be taking pictures and submitting an SD card instead of submitting fish.

You can follow along with the tournament tomorrow through the Lake of the Woods Women’s Walleye Facebook page.

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Kenora Bass International Returns For 2021

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After COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the 2020 Kenora Bass International, event organizers say that it’s back for 2021.

Cori Libitka is one of the co-chairs of the KBI Board of Directors and tells us that things will have to be different this time around.

“It’s likely going to have to be really modified,” says Libitka, “…we’ve decided that we’re going to focus on the angler side of things and worry a little bit less about all the other stuff that we do under the tent.”

With the Northwestern Health Unit currently under the Yellow level of the Province’s COVID-19 response framework, she explains that the board isn’t comfortable encouraging people to gather in large groups.

If things start to trend in the right direction (in terms of COVID-19 cases) and restrictions on gatherings are loosened, however, the Board does say that they’ll look into adding to the 2021 KBI with events KBI Kids, dinners, bar service and entertainment. Those decisions, however, will not be made until closer to the event and after consultation with the NWHU.

As there is still so much unknown about what the next few weeks and months may look like, Libitka says they’re holding off on registration for now.

“We decided we’re going to wait until probably late May or early June to open registration. It’s kind of out of our hands. We just have to wait and see what we’ll be allowed to do and then we’ll open registration and share that information once the decisions have been made.”

Despite all of the unknown and hard work ahead of them, she adds that everyone is excited that the staple of summer will be back.

“Our Board is really pumped to be able to bring the event back. It was pretty heartbreaking to not have it last year. We know it will probably have to look really different than it normally does, but we’re going to do the best we can to make a great event for the anglers primarily, and for the economy of Kenora…try to help things move along.”

The 2021 KBI is scheduled to start on August 5th.

We just wanted to give you all a quick update; we held a meeting in February and the Board is in agreement that we would…

Posted by Kenora Bass International -KBI on Monday, March 1, 2021

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Monster Sunday Gives The Jensson’s Walleye Cup Win

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It was a Sunday of fishing that Kyson And Brent Jensson will never forget.

The two reeled in 18.65 pounds of fish on the final day to win the 2020 Lac Seul Walleye Cup and the $15,000 top prize.

They finished the two day tournament in Ear Falls with 28.29 pounds.

Lonnie Lundmark and Jason MacDonald came in second with a total weight of 24.37 pounds.

Denis and Jamie Grenier were third at 23.93 pounds.

Day 1 leaders Enrique Salinas and Rob Shaffer slipped to fifth.

https://www.facebook.com/lacseulwalleyecup/posts/1646785318822196

https://www.facebook.com/lacseulwalleyecup/posts/1646792578821470

 

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Lac Seul Walleye Cup This Weekend

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It’s a full field for the 3rd Annual Lac Seul Walleye Cup in Ear Falls.

Eighty four teams are registered and set to hit the open water this weekend.

The Derby runs from 7:00am until 4:00pm on Saturday and 7:00am until 3:00pm on Sunday.

Boats will launch from four different locations and COVID-19 health regulations are in place.

The top prize is $15,000.

 

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Ternowski’s Take First Ever COVID Classic

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An outstanding day of fishing on the Wabigoon Chain of Lakes Saturday for the first ever COVID Classic.

Jared and Tracy Ternowski were crowned the inaugural champions.

They finished with a total measurement of 134.25.

Dylan Smith was second at 119.75.

Kyson and Brent Jensson and the Lundmark family were tied for third at 117.5.

Brian and Jen Bakos finished fifth with a total measurement of 116.5.

70 boats were in the field for the contact free fishing tournament.

Participants measured their 5 fish limit instead of the traditional weigh system

To see the complete results visit https://www.facebook.com/events/188065292499614/permalink/195878755051601/

(Photo Credit: Madison Woodworth)

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Greg Rickford: Be Responsible With Fishing/Hunting

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Ontario’s Minister of Northern Development stresses there will be restrictions for those looking to hunt and fish in the weeks ahead.

Greg Rickford says “Yes this is a great opportunity in the context of the conditions that we have been living under to look forward to some fishing and hunting but those have to be done within the rules that we are still intensely engaging as individuals and as communities and as a province.”

The Kenora-Rainy River MPP notes that means COVID-19 physical distancing regulations must be followed.

Rickford stresses we owe it to our frontline workers, families, friends and neighbours to abide by those rules.

He says this isn’t an opportunity for people who have not been living in the same dwelling or house to jump into a boat together.

 

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Kenora Bass Tournament Cancelled

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One of the largest bass fishing tournaments in the northwest won’t be going ahead this year.

The board of the Kenora Bass International has cancelled the 2020 event.

Co-chair Cori Libitka says even though KBI is over three months away, COVID-19 has taken a bite out of the income for sponsors, volunteers and anglers, who might take part.

She adds they can’t ethically ask people to travel to Kenora and congregate under the White Cap Pavilion.

Libitka adds that KBI will be bigger and better in 2021.

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