Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship facts for kids

The Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship is a big fishing tournament held every year in Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada. It takes place on Rainy Lake. Anglers compete to catch and release smallmouth bass. The tournament started in 1995 and happens every July.

History of the Tournament

The idea for a bass fishing tournament on Rainy Lake came up in 1990. Many anglers were surprised by how many great smallmouth bass were in the lake.

In April 1994, a meeting was held in Fort Frances. People discussed if it was possible to host a smallmouth bass tournament. Many groups attended, including local businesses and government offices.

This meeting led to plans for the first tournament. It was set for the last week of July 1995. The goal was to promote Fort Frances and Rainy Lake as a fun place to visit.

Local businesses helped by sponsoring the first Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship.

The tournament was cancelled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But it came back in 2021.

The First Tournament and Growth

The first tournament in 1995 had 47 teams. Even though it didn't make a profit, it was seen as a success. It was even featured on a fishing TV show!

In 1996, a new non-profit group called Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship Inc. was formed. This group took over running the tournament. They had eleven board members, each in charge of a different area.

The new group focused on five key groups:

• Volunteers
• Sponsors
• Anglers (the fishers)
• Spectators (the people watching)
• The fish (making sure they were safe)

The second tournament in 1996 had 69 teams, which was a big increase! Over 450 volunteers helped out. New activities were added, like:

• Pathways to Fishing workshops for kids.
• The Reel Raffle.
• A big screen for tournament info.
• The Parade of Boats.
• The Kiwanis Steak fry.
• Top teams brought their boats through the tent during the weigh-in.

The 1996 tournament was even featured in Outdoors Canada magazine.

After the 1996 event, the tournament started working with In-Fisherman Communication Network. They used the tournament's new information system. This led to a long partnership. Rainy Lake and the tournament were shown on In-Fisherman TV shows and in magazines. Al Lindner, a co-founder of In-Fisherman, said Rainy Lake is his favorite place to fish for smallmouth bass.

The tournament kept growing!

• In 1997, 104 teams competed. A bigger tent was needed for all the people. A second boat was added to safely return more fish to the lake. The Reel Raffle sold out. In-Fisherman TV crews filmed the event.
• An internet site was created in 1997 to share tournament news.
• The 1997 tournament brought in over $2.5 million for the local economy.

In 1998, the tournament had a full field of 130 teams, with more on a waiting list!

• The KidPro event was added. This let local kids fish with tournament anglers.
• The big screen now had two screens.
• A Much Music Night was added for older kids.
• Almost 500 volunteers helped, and there were 117 sponsors.

In 1999, 130 teams competed for $120,000 in prizes. The fishing days changed from Friday-Sunday to Thursday-Saturday.

• The Angler Advisory Committee was formed. This group helps with decisions that affect the anglers.
• New tanks and a special system were added to improve fish care.

Tournament in the 2000s

For the 2000 tournament, a new way of accepting teams was started. Top teams from 1999 got a spot. The remaining spots were filled by a draw. Ninety-five teams entered the draw for 40 spots!

• The tournament worked with CBQ Thunder Bay for a contest. This added one more team.
• Changes were made to the weigh-in process to reduce crowding.
• The KidPro event moved to the Sunday before the tournament.
• A big sign was put up at the tournament site.
• TSN covered the 2000 tournament, and the first local champions were crowned.

In 2001, 130 teams competed for $130,000. Many new things were added:

• New software for the big screen.
• A bigger tent and more seating.
• A large map was added.
• The Hawg Trough returned.
• Docks were decorated with flags, and a Walk of Fame celebrated past winners.
• The second local champion was crowned.

In August 2001, the O-Fish-L Angler Ambassador position was created. This title goes to an angler who helps promote the tournament and Rainy Lake as a fishing and vacation spot. Al Lindner was given this title.

For 2002, the tournament grew to 133 teams. Winners from six other regional tournaments were invited to compete.

• A third boat was added to safely return even more fish to Rainy Lake.
• Daytime Land was created, a grassy area for activities.
• Bobber, a seven-foot bass mascot, was introduced and became very popular!
• A new fundraiser, Bobber's Big Bass Bargains, was started.

Also in 2002, the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Tournament Bursary was created. This scholarship helps a Fort Frances High School graduate studying science at a Canadian university.

In 2003, the field grew to 136 teams, again including winners from regional tournaments.

• Daytime Land grew, and a Food Court was added with local food vendors.
• A second stage was added for kids' activities.
• The weigh-ins were broadcast live on the internet!

The tenth championship was held in 2004. The entry fee was increased, and the field expanded to 138 teams, including all past champions. The winning team received $50,000 that year!

Volunteers

Each year, about 500 volunteers help make the Bass Championship a success.

Events at the Tournament

Events at the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship include:

• Daily weigh-ins where anglers bring their fish to be weighed.
• Daytime Land with fun activities.
• Live entertainment, like bands, video dances, and hypnotists.