2026 Walleye Weekend

1. TOURNAMENT FORMAT & TIME STRUCTURE

1.1 Event Duration
Start: Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 12:01 a.m.
End: Sunday, May 3, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.
Awards Broadcast: Monday, May 4, 2026 at 4:00 p.m

1.2 Hourly Weigh-In Slots
The tournament operates on defined hourly weigh-in periods (e.g., 7:00–7:59, 8:00–8:59).
Each fish is entered only in the hour it is weighed, not when it is caught.

1.3 Official Tournament Clock
A single official tournament clock (server-based) governs all deadlines.
All weigh-in cutoffs are absolute.
Any angler not officially checked in with a tournament official by the end of the hour is ineligible for that hour.
The official tournament clock will be published on the leaderboard page.

2. ELIGIBILITY & REGISTRATION

2.1 Participant Requirements
All boat occupants must be registered entrants.
Each contestant must provide valid proof of entry upon request at each weigh-in.
All MNR (Ministry of Natural Resources) rules and regulations must be followed at all times.

2.2 Junior Anglers
Juniors aged 15 and under as of 12:00 a.m. on May 1, 2026 are eligible for Junior prizes only.

3. TOURNAMENT BOUNDARIES

3.1 Eligible Waters
All fishing must occur within tournament-defined waters.
All fishing must take place within Ontario Fishing Management Zone 20.
Any fish caught outside defined boundaries is ineligible.

3.2 Ineligible Areas
North of No. 1 Dam in Trenton - INELIGIBLE
North of CPR Bridge in Belleville - INELIGIBLE

4. FISH ENTRY RULES & LIMITS

4.1 Fish Weighing
Once weighed, a fish entry is locked and cannot be returned to the angler, replaced, or re-entered.
Anglers will receive a receipt showing the official weight of the fish.
This receipt is the angler’s proof of weight and must be retained.

4.2 Prize Eligibility Limits
Competitors may win a maximum of two (2) first-place hourly prizes.
If an angler achieves more than two first-place hourly finishes, only the two hours with the heaviest fish will be awarded.
Each fish may win only one prize.
The angler who wins the Grand Prize Walleye Overall will receive only that prize.
For the hour in which the Grand Prize fish was weighed, the leaderboard will advance one position.


5. CATCH REQUIREMENTS & INTEGRITY

5.1 Legal Catch Requirements
All fish must be legally hooked using legal tackle.
All fish entered must have been hooked, fought, and landed personally by the angler entering the fish.

5.2 Disqualifying Conditions
The following will result in immediate disqualification of the fish:
Any evidence of net marks, gaff marks, or snag marks
Fish transported across land in a vehicle
The following will result in full tournament disqualification and forfeiture of all prizes:
Any attempt to falsify entries or provide misleading information

5.3 Live Release Requirement
This is a mandatory live-release event.
All prize-winning fish must be confirmed as a live release by tournament officials.
Fish must be alive and in releasable condition.
Dead or visibly deteriorated fish may be refused at the discretion of tournament officials.

6. WEIGH-IN PROCEDURES

6.1 Check-In Requirement
Anglers must be physically present at the weigh-in location.
Anglers must be officially checked in by a tournament official and receive verbal confirmation before the hourly cutoff.
Being “in line,” “approaching,” or “on the dock” does not qualify unless official check-in has occurred.
Proof of entry is required at each weigh-in.

6.2 Scale Authority
All official weights are final.
Prize-winning entries will require completion of an official affidavit.

6.3 Protests
Written protests must be submitted by noon on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
A $100 refundable deposit is required and will be returned only if the protest is upheld.
All decisions by the Judges are final.

7. TIE-BREAKING RULES
In the event of a tie by weight, the angler first officially Registered by tournament officials will be declared the winner and take priority in all prize categories.

8. PRIZES & CATEGORIES

8.1 Species Categories
Biggest Walleye Overall
Biggest Pike (Top 3)

8.2 Special Categories
Junior Biggest Walleye
(Anglers aged 15 and under as of May 1, 2026)

8.3 Prize Limitations
Junior anglers are only eligible for Junior prizes.

9. FAIR PLAY, CONDUCT & INTEGRITY

9.1 Sportsmanship
No interference with other anglers.
Unsafe or aggressive behavior may result in disqualification.

9.2 Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Includes, but is not limited to:
Harassment of anglers, staff, or volunteers
Public disparagement of the event, sponsors, or charity
Tampering with fish or equipment
Attempting to deceive tournament officials
Any attempt to falsify entries

9.3 Verification & Enforcement
Tournament officials reserve the right to:
Inspect and photograph fish
Inspect livewells
Require written affidavits
Disqualify entries at their sole discretion

10. RESERVED

11. LIABILITY & ASSUMPTION OF RISK
The tournament organization and/or its sponsors will not be liable for injury, death, or property damage to any person, contestant, or spectator.
Contestants participate at their own risk.

12. MEDIA RELEASE & RIGHTS AGREEMENT
By entering this tournament, the angler acknowledges and agrees to the following:

12.1 Consent to Media Use
The angler grants the tournament organizers a perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide license to use:
Photographs
Video footage
Audio recordings
Angler names, likenesses, voices, boats, and catches
Captured before, during, or after the event.

12.2 Permitted Uses
Media may be used for:
Marketing and promotion
Social media
Websites
Broadcast or livestream content
Print or digital publications
Sponsor and charitable fundraising materials
Including use by event partners, sponsors, and charitable beneficiaries.

12.3 No Compensation
The angler understands that no compensation is owed for such use.
All rights are granted without time limitation.

12.4 Waiver of Claims
The angler waives any right to inspect or approve final media content.
The angler releases the tournament, sponsors, and partners from any claims related to the use of such media.