With the changing of the calendar, and school back in session, it’s time once more to make the trip to Rainy River to take in the excitement of the 25th annual Rainy River Walleye Tournament.
This year’s milestone competition is scheduled to run from Thursday, September 19, 2024, through to Saturday, September 21, 2024, offering plenty of things to see and do all the while.
The tournament weekend officially kicks off on Thursday, September 19, with the annual boat parade getting underway at 4:00 p.m. This free public event is then followed by the Fisherman’s Dinner under the big tent, which will be closed to the public. The dinner is being hosted by the Rainy River Curling Club, and will be followed by the mandatory Official Tournament Rules info session, where each team will get the ins and outs of participating in this year’s tournament. Then, beginning at 7:00 p.m., the beer gardens at the ten t open to the public. Those wishing to enter the beer gardens will be required to have two pieces of Government issued ID, one piece must be photo ID. Visitors can round out the night enjoying some music at the Mix and Mingle scheduled to begin at 9:00 p.m., with music provided by Top Music Productions.
Fishing action gets underway on Friday morning, with flights of anglers scheduled to depart every 15 minutes beginning at 7:30 a.m. While taking in the anglers leaving is free of charge, the remainder of the day’s activities will fall under a $5 entry fee/Daytime pass, free for children 5 and under. There’s plenty to do under the tent, including the Rainy River Walleye Tournament Silent Auction, West Rainy River District Lions Club Penny Table, Vendors and Raffles running from 11:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., as well as Mix and Mingle Music happening from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
The Rainy River Health Centre Auxiliary is running their H.E.L.P.P. break open / pull tab tickets at the tournament from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, helping to raise money for the different health centre projects in Rainy River. The beer gardens reopen to the public at 2:00 p.m. and will stay open until 1:00 a.m. that night.
The highlights of Friday afternoon will include the first day weigh-ins beginning at 4:30 p.m., offering everyone a chance to cheer on their favourite team as they hit the leaderboards after a full day of fishing action. 6:00 p.m. will mark the beginning of the annual fish fry dinner, hosted by the Knights of Columbus. The fish fry costs $25 per person.
After weigh-ins and dinner, attendees will be treated to the comedy stylings of comedian Mark Menei. This show, rated 18+, will feature the Thunder Bay-based comic and is included with daily admission into the tent. The comedy show will run from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., and will be followed by an age of majority dance to Party Rock Sound Services beginning at 9:00 p.m. and lasting until 1:00 p.m., helping to bring Saturday to a fun-filled end.
All the excitement of fishing tournament weekend kick back off on Saturday, September 21, with anglers taking off for their last shot at top weight beginning at 7:30 a.m., with flights leaving every 15 minutes following. Admission to the rest of Saturday’s activities will once again be $5 or free for children 5 and under, and will kick off with the West Rainy River District Lions Club Penny Table, vendors and raffles opening at 9:00 a.m. and running until 3:00 p.m. The Rainy River Walleye Tournament Silent Auction reopens at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, with bids closing at 5:30 p.m. Younger children will also find some fun on Saturday as the Rainy River EarlyOn Child and Family Centre and NWO Health Unit open from 10:00 until 12:30 p.m.
Those with littles who have been bitten by the fishing bug should head to the big tent for the Kids Mini Tournament happening at the riverfront docks on Saturday morning. Registration for the mini tournament runs from 10:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m., and the tournament itself gets underway at 10:45 a.m. The tournament, hosted by the Rainy River Rec. Board, will feature two flights of fishing, with the first flight running from 1045 a.m. until 11:15 a.m. for kids age 7 and under, and the second flight lasts from 11:30 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. for kids age 8 and older.
Doors at the Rainy River Legion open at 11:30, with games getting underway at 12:00 p.m./Noon for those aged 18 or older, and the beer gardens reopen for Saturday at 1:00 p.m. The Rainy River Health Centre Auxiliary will resume selling its H.E.L.P.P. Break Open / Pull Tab tickets from 12:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Final weigh-ins to determine the champs of the 2024 Rainy River Walleye Tournament will get underway beginning at 3:30 p.m. under the big tent, and the West Rainy River District Lions Club will also be holding its annual Pig Roast beginning at 5:00 p.m. at $25 per plate.
The Rainy River Walleye Tournament Awards Presentation gets underway beginning at 5:00 p.m., which will see the new champs crowned, and the day will end of with the West Rainy River District Lions Pontoon Boat Raffle drawing at 7:00 p.m. and with an evening of great music by local favourites Kings of None, who will be performing from 9:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m.
Tickets for Saturday night’s concert will be $20, and the show is age of majority only.
There’s plenty to see and do in Rainy River this weekend for the 25th Annual Rainy River Walleye Tournament, so be sure to head out to cheer on your favourite team of anglers as they fight to take home the trophy.
