This popular Chatham-Kent event is fast becoming the largest bass tournament in the country and this year promises to be bigger and better. The Canadian Tire Mitchell’s Bay Open Bass Tournament will take place this year the weekend of July 5-6 and will feature 100 Participants. The Mitchell’s Bay Marine Park plays host to the weigh-ins and will be a hub-bub of activity all weekend with boats arriving from all over the country. This weekend is a real win for our area. It takes a village to make this event what it has become today and the people of Mitchell's Bay do that. A host of volunteers help to make this special weekend a success.. There are local participants of course but anglers come from as far away as South Carolina, Kentucky and Indiana.
Many of the participants spend a week in Chatham-Kent pre-fishing and enjoying our great community. Lake St. Clair is home to a thriving bass population drawing people from across the country. The Canadian boating/fishing industry pumps 10 billions dollars annually into our economy.
The goal of the tournament is to return the fish back into the lake at the end of each day with a mortality rate of under 1 percent. To achieve this result, each boat, when it departs on tournament mornings, is inspected to ensure it has a functioning live well. Teams of 2 anglers compete for the best weight and the biggest fish caught in the 2 day tournament.
Last year's record winners weighed in at over 50 lbs.
Last year's record winners weighed in at over 50 lbs. The event starts on Thursday night with registration at 5 P.M. followed by a meal and social time. Friday morning at 7 A.M. the boats start to move out and the weigh in begins at 3 P.M. on both days. Award presentation to follow.
There is also a children's event taking place. Those lucky youngsters will enjoy a morning of fishing, lunch with their families, and an interpretive hike with the Sydenham Field Naturalists. Each of the participants go home with a rod, reel, tackle box and tackle. The Bay will be hopping. Take a ride out and enjoy the sites.