Registration is open for the MTT Walleye Tournament in July
Category: article
Apr 2nd, 2020 by Keith Worrall
Modified Apr 2nd, 2020 at 12:09 PM
July MTT Walleye Tournament Open for Registration
Anglers are looking ahead to the time of the year again when the MN Tournament Trail (MTT) comes up to Lake of the Woods. The very well run walleye tournament is held out of Border View Lodge which is well positioned right next to the Wheeler’s Point public access at the mouth of the Rainy River. The tournament is a 2 person team format and is open to the public. With the health of the fishery and strong numbers of big fish, this will be a fun one!Lake of the Woods- Minnesota Tournament Trail
The dates of the MN Tournament Trail on LOW are July 10 and July 11. Each day is it’s own tournament and actually have different formats. On Friday, July 10th, the format of the tournament is PRT, standing for Photo Release Tournament. This is a fun format. Basically, each team will receive an official MTT measuring stick and SD card the morning of the tournament upon boat inspection. Because this is a release tournament, every walleye, even though it might be within the slot of 19.5″ – 28″ which have to be released on Lake of the Woods, they can take a couple of pictures of it, release it and it counts for points. So rather than fishing for walleyes just under that 19.5″, anglers are fishing for the largest fish in the lake, even if they are in the slot.
Basically, when a MN Tournament Trail team catches a walleye, they have to take two images. One image will be the walleye on the registered ruler. Of course, check official rules, but one angler will place the walleye on the bump board (ruler) with it’s head to the left and belly of the fish facing the angler holding the fish. Hands of the angler need to be away from the head and tail to show the fish is touching and where the tail measures. The angler with the camera takes one picture of the walleye on the official ruler and a second “hero” shot, a picture of the fish being held to the camera. This second shot shows the markings of a walleye ensuring the same fish cannot be used twice.
It is important for anglers to double check images for clarity, shadows and any other faux pas before releasing the fish back. Once anglers handle and take picture of a couple of walleyes, it’s easy. It also really feels good to get credit for a nice walleye just under 28″, being able to release fish healthy back into the lake and not have to pay attention to fish in the livewell.
The video below gives a nice idea on how the PRT works. The MTT implemented this format in 2015 initially on Mille Lacs Lake as it was catch and release only. The PRT is now being used on Lake of the Woods for the one day tournament this year, July 5th. It has been utilized on LOW in past years with success.
The second one day tournament on July 11th goes back to the traditional tournament where fish are kept and will have to be under 19.5″ with one walleye over 28″ per angler.
Some anglers prefer the new PRT. Others prefer tradition. Whatever way you prefer it, both are fun tournaments during a time walleyes can really be caught in many different areas of the lake using a wide variety of techniques.
Tournaments offer anglers the opportunity to competitively fish for walleyes. There are a variety of teams that fish including friends, couples, and father/son and so on. If you haven’t tried a tournament, the MTT is a nice way to dip your big toe in the water. It is quite reasonable to enter, $220 per team per tournament day.
Events, MTT, Lake of the WoodsFishing a tournament forces anglers to think while on the water. Changing weather conditions, fish that moved, fishing over fish that are not biting. All of these scenarios require making decisions. It is a south wind, should we set up outside the Lighthouse Gap and see if fish are loading up this morning? It is a strong north wind, should we travel all the way to Garden Island or fish our fish closer to home base? The wind died, do we still try our shallow spots or focus on deeper spots?
If you are interested in fishing Lake of the Woods in a tournament, this is a great one. There are a number of lodging options available in the area. Mike Holt is the tournament director and between he and his wife Renee run a great tournament. To find out more about fishing the MTT or to register, go to www.mntournamenttrail.com or call 320-679-2825.
To learn more about Lake of the Woods, check out the Lake of the Woods Tourism website.
To find a guide, charter boat or lodging, check out our lodging page.