Sault set to return to Northern Ontario Walleye Trail after a decade

For the first time since 2013, Sault Ste. Marie and the St. Marys River system will be rejoining the circuit on the popular Northern Ontario Walleye Trail next year.

Comprised of seven sanctioned tournaments and close to 900 anglers from across the north, the NOWT awards points to competitors based on their finishes at each event. The angler who finishes with the most points by the end of the circuit is named ‘Angler of the Year.’

Excited for his hometown’s return to the circuit is NOWT president Shane Turcotte, who says the ‘St. Marys River Walleye Cup’ is the ideal venue for a tournament.

“The Sault’s a great market,” he says. “A lot has changed on the NOWT since the tournament was run here. We’re a lot bigger and a lot more successful now. The timing is perfect to come back to the Sault, and there’s a lot more avid anglers too.”

Partnering with the Algoma Fish and Game Club, the NOWT has been active for more than 20 years and currently hosts seven tournaments across the north:

• Mattagami Lake First Nations Walleye Tournament
• Dubreuilville Magpie Walleye Derby
• Geraldton Walleye Classic
• Longlac Walleye Masters
• Kapuskasing River Walleye Tournament
• Hearst Walleye Challenge
• Mattagami Fall Classic Walleye

“From a northern Ontario community standpoint, a lot of these anglers are in small communities, so bringing a tournament to the Sault is another opportunity to come to a bigger city, bring their families, and enjoy the city itself,” Turcotte says. “We have an incredible fishery here, and it fishes a little bit different than some of the other venues on the circuit.”

Running from Sept. 6-7 next year, the St. Marys River Walleye Cup will be the site of the NOWT finale for the 2024 circuit.

Turcotte says the Sault is also looking into hosting the NOWT Championship in 2025 or 2026, where the circuit’s top 25 anglers battle it out for an $85,000 boat package.

“It’s great exposure for the Sault and the system itself,” he says. “The NOWT is all about conservation, so all the fish are weighed in water and released back into the system – we do not kill fish. This is all about promoting and exposing our system while leaving the system the way we found it.”

Full press release below:

Northern Ontario Walleye Trail Anglers are eager to visit the world-famous waters of the St. Marys River for the seventh and final stop of the NOWT’s annual schedule in September of 2024 in Sault Ste. Marie. This body of water historically produces some monster weights in the early fall so it looks like the timing for this event may be perfect!

Mayor Matthew Shoemaker welcomes the NOWT: “Located at the heart of the Great Lakes, Sault Ste. Marie has ready access to world class fishing in locations featuring spectacular natural beauty, and the Northern Ontario Walleye Trail is a great option to showcase all our area has to offer.”

The St. Marys River system has something for everyone. Anglers will have the flexibility to use familiar fishing techniques or take the opportunity to learn something new on the Sault’s waters. The NOWT features lake and river systems throughout the circuit, so it is only fitting that the final competition every season provides anglers with both!

“The Northern Ontario Walleye Trail is a fishing tournament circuit that awards anglers points at each sanctioned tournament. Anglers receive points based on their finish in that event with their 3 best finishes used to calculate their placement in the ‘Angler of the Year’ race.”

The Angler of the Year takes home a Raxfin sponsored ATV and a custom-made NOWT Ring. Prize payouts are awarded at every stop, with the St. Marys River Walleye Cup (SMRWC) paying the Top 10 teams in its first year. Each season’s Top 25 Anglers are offered the opportunity to compete in the annual NOWT Championship tournament where the winners walk away with a brand new Princecraft Boat & Motor package.

“The NOWT circuit is run by anglers for anglers and is designed to help anglers promote themselves as well as the sport of tournament angling in Northern Ontario. Everyone involved are volunteers and appreciate any feedback.” (NOWT website) NOWT Tournaments average between 50 and 120 boats per competition, with two anglers on each team. All NOWT events are catch and release with an emphasis on fish survival and conservation.

The SMRWC will be true to this format. A small committee of experienced and committed volunteers has been struck to plan, organize, and host this competition including NOWT President Shane Turcotte, local entrepreneur Mark Hebert, Event Planner Lua Turcotte, NOWT Board Member Andre Regimbal (Timmins), Media and Promotions expert Dave Pitcher and NOWT experienced Fish Management and Measurement Specialist Tylar Turcotte. While this committee is mighty, they are grateful for the support of the NOWT and the Algoma Fish and Game Club, who will be the beneficiary of all funds raised at this event.

“The St. Marys River system offers incredible walleye fishing and fall is a fantastic time to be in Sault Ste. Marie. Fish are settling into their early-fall patterns feeding heavily. Talking to local anglers, we’re excited to see how big these bags of fish can get in the fall. Because of the different regulations in this region, we will give NOWT Anglers a chance to catch and weigh more big fish than anywhere else on the circuit,” said SMRWC committee member, Shane Turcotte. “Twenty to 30 pound bags are certainly possible here each day in the fall.”

Registrations for the St. Marys River Walleye Cup will open soon on our website www.smrwc.ca with an expectation of more than 50 teams. Until then, you can follow us on Facebook to stay up to date with further announcements or visit the NOWT website to check out the rest of the circuit at www.nowt.ca.

The SMRWC will welcome the public to experience this event in-person with thrilling a take-off each morning and unbelievable weigh-ins throughout the day at the Roberta Bondar Pavilion and Marina on Sept. 6 and 7, 2024.