Anglers, get ready! A brand-new fishing festival is about to cast its line into the Bay of Quinte this May. The Competitive Sport Fishing League (CFSL) is launching the Quinte Walleye Festival, a fresh, exciting event set to coincide with walleye opening weekend on May 2nd and 3rd.
This festival is particularly significant because it fills a void left by the cancellation of the Walleye World Fishing Derby, which ended after over 40 years due to the Trenton Kiwanis Club's challenges with membership and volunteer capacity.
So, what can you expect? The Quinte Walleye Festival promises a fun-filled experience for anglers of all ages and skill levels, along with families, spectators, and the local community. The event will feature three secure weigh-in stations strategically located around the bay, giving everyone ample opportunities to participate and compete.
The festival is designed to be inclusive, offering multiple ways to get involved and win prizes:
- Tagged Walleye: Cash prizes await those lucky enough to catch specially tagged walleye released throughout the Bay of Quinte. This adds an element of surprise and excitement for anglers of all experience levels.
- Weighed Walleye & Pike: Compete for top weight prizes by bringing your catches to any official weigh station. All weighed fish are eligible for the grand prize.
- Awards Ceremony Draw: All ticket holders are invited to the awards ceremony on Sunday, May 3rd, 2026, following the final weigh-in. Each participant will receive a draw ticket for a chance to win prizes supported by sponsors. Remember, you must be present to claim your prize!
- Social Media Contest: Share your festival experience on social media throughout the weekend for a chance to win additional prizes. Whether you're fishing from a boat or the shore, you're eligible to enter.
- Pike-Eye Lunkerbowl: This is an optional, separate event within the festival, awarding cash prizes for the largest fish caught during specific time windows. The Lunkerbowl will focus on walleye on Saturday and pike on Sunday. The quarterly windows run from 7–9 a.m., 9–11 a.m., 11 a.m.–1 p.m., and 1–3 p.m.
Mayor Jim Harris of Quinte West expressed his support, stating his confidence in the CFSL team to deliver a top-notch festival. CSFL President Andrew Pallotta highlighted the goal of creating an accessible and engaging experience for the entire community, similar to the Orillia Perch Festival.
But here's where it gets controversial... The festival's success hinges on attracting a large number of participants to make it a worthwhile experience for everyone. While the CFSL is working with local hotels to offer preferred participant rates, the details will be released later.
And this is the part most people miss... The festival's organizers are creating multiple ways to win. This will allow for more people to be involved and increase the fun for everyone.
For more details, including registration information, rules, prize breakdowns, tagged fish specifics, and weigh station locations, visit the official website. Tickets will also be available at various retailers across Ontario, with locations to be announced soon.
What do you think? Are you excited about the Quinte Walleye Festival? Do you think the multiple ways to win prizes will make the event more appealing? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
