Format and eligibility

  • Individual angler heaviest one-day bag series of tournaments.
  • Catch, Photo, Video release format competition
  • All competitors must possess and have on their person a valid Manitoba or Ontario Angling License or Treaty Card for the body of water the competition is on.
  • All competitors are equal and will abide by Manitoba Sportfishing regulations and specifically all rules put in place for the Central Canada Kayak Trail.
  • Anglers must be eighteen (18) years of age or over. Youth competitors will be permitted with written consent from a parent/guardian.

Entry

  1. $150 per tournament entry fee.
  2. No requirement to enter all tournaments.
  3. No prior kayak angling experience necessary. Open entry to the public.
  4. Official confirmation of entry via email from the Trail Director will be sent once funds are received.
  5. Entries for each tournament will continue to be received until the Wednesday evening leading up to each event (all tournaments are on Sundays).

Logistics

  • Tournament Schedule
    • Stop #1 – June 1, 2025 – Wargatie Lake – Walleye
    • Stop #2 – July 13, 2025 – Lake of the Prairies – Walleye
    • Stop #3 – August , 2025 – Shoal Lake – Bass
    • Stop #4 – August 31, 2025 – Blindfold Lake  – Bass
  • Mandatory attendance online Rules Meeting will take place on the Friday before each event at 8:15pm via meeting link that will be sent out to all anglers.
  • Pre-fishing will cease at 6:00pm on the Saturday before each event. No angler shall travel tournament waters or actively fish after this time until take-off time the following morning. Persons travelling to and from accommodations/property on the river after pre-fishing has ceased must only do so for the purpose of commuting and not to actively locate fish or conditions.
  • Inspections and Check-In will commence at 6:15am at the specified Muster Area for each event.
  • Tournament fishing hours will be from 7:45am to 3:45pm. All times are based on GPS.

Kayaks and equipment

  • All Ketch Products measuring boards or Yak Attack measuring boards are the official mandatory measuring devices for the Central Canada Kayak Trail. The Ketch Keeper ID Tag Holder that affixes to the ruler is strongly suggested to be used but is not mandatory.
  • Watercraft that are manufacturer identified and sold as kayaks are permitted, including inflatable kayaks and modular kayaks. Stand-up paddleboards are permitted.
  • Boats, canoes, fishing pontoons, float tubes, personal watercraft, and other vessels that are not specifically sold as kayaks or SUP by the manufacturer are not permitted.
  • Watercraft propulsion is restricted to paddle, pedal, pole, or electric motor.
  • Electric motors must be attached to the kayak in a safe manner for operation. No more than one electric motor may be attached to a kayak.
  • Electronic depth finders/sonar/underwater cameras/forward-facing sonar are all permitted.
  • Coolers and crates for carrying/storage of food, drink, supplies are permitted.
  • The use of manual or motorized anchor systems are permitted.
  • All kayaks must have affixed an approved safety flag.
  • Tournament Directors reserve the right to refuse entry or disallow use of any kayak, motor, or equipment deemed unsafe, unsuitable, or contravening of tournament rules.
  • Anglers must have a cell phone with camera and cell service for use in the tournament
  • The Whatsapp will be the official method of communication between the Weighmaster and the Angler.

Check-in Process

  • Tournament Officials will perform mandatory general equipment inspections at the Muster Area prior to each angler being ‘released’. Inspection checklist:
    • Transport Canada approved PFD
    • Ketch or Yak Attack ruler (intact and unmodified)
    • Safety flag
    • AIS, standing water, plant matter.
    • Whatsapp test message confirmation on phone
    • Angler ID Kit
  • Anglers will receive their Angler ID Kit from Tournament Officials during check-in. Angler ID Kits will under no circumstances be distributed beforehand.
  • Failure to attend check-in will result in ineligibility for that tournament. Late check-ins are permitted provided the Weighmaster is notified and arrangements made for check-in to take place.

Take-off, Launching, Permitted waters

  • Anglers will be provided with official designated launching points specific to each event.
  • Anglers are responsible for any associated launch fees and/or park passes if required.
  • Anglers can fish anywhere on tournament waters available to the public.
  • Portaging is not permitted unless otherwise communicated. Kayaks must be able to float in and out or through an area during tournament day for it to be considered legal water. If the kayak bottoms out and becomes completely or partially immobilized while navigating, they are no longer considered floating and cannot pass over (portage).
  • Boundaries or restricted areas may be enacted specific to each event. These will be communicated to anglers well in advance of each tournament.
  • Ride coordination, shuttling, and assistance from others with carrying kayaks to the water’s edge or to vehicles is permitted.

Fishing

  • Only artificial lures may be used with the exception of pork trailers and biodegradable soft baits at Stops #3 and #4 (bass tournaments).
  • Live bait that is permitted under MB regulations on each body of water is permitted in the tournaments at Stops #1 and #2 (walleye tournaments).
  • Only one (1) fishing rod may be used at a time. At no point shall two separate lines with lures be in the water at the same time.
  • Trolling as a method of fishing is permitted.
  • Fish gripping devices are permitted to temporarily hold fish in the water.
  • Anglers must not come into contact with any other watercraft on the water whether they be other competitors or not.
  • The passing of items from one kayak to another will result in disqualification.
  • Anglers will be respectful and sportsmanlike in regard to other competitors and property on tournament waters.
  • A fifty (50) foot radius shall be respected between kayaks during the competition. Exceptions may be made to assist in an emergency situation.
  • Shore Breaks: Anglers may pull up on shore during tournament hours and disembark their kayak for the sole purpose of taking a break, emergency situations, or in cases of extreme weather. Any and all ‘breaks’ on shore will require the angler to send a selfie photo on shore to the Weighmaster. A message stating that you are back on the water is required at the end of the break as well.
  • Anglers are strictly not permitted to fish when not physically in their kayak.
  • At no time may an angler leave their kayak to land a fish or photograph a fish. Anglers may beach their kayaks to take safe photos but this must still be done from inside/on the kayak.
  • Kayaks are not permitted to tie-up, tether, or moor to anything (buoys, signs, docks, boats, trees, rocks, etc) during tournament hours. Exceptions in cases of emergency situations.
  • Manual and electric anchor systems, drift socks, and electronic trolling motor spot-lock are permitted.
  • Anglers must abide by all provincial angling regulations in the jurisdiction of each respective event.
  • Only fish caught by angling hook and line in a normal manner will be permitted for inclusion in bag limit. Competitors are permitted to use only one (1) line in the water at a time.
  • Fish shall not be altered or purposefully deformed in any way.
  • All care for the well-being of any/all fish caught during the tournament shall be of the utmost priority of each competitor.
  • Citations issued by Conservation Officers/Natural Resources Officers to a competitor during tournament hours or reflecting actions taken during tournament hours will result in disqualification of that competitor from that event.

Scoring

  • Catch, Photo, Video Release format competition
  • All scoring will be in inches recorded in ¼ inch increments. Lengths will be converted to weight using the official CCKT conversion chart for bass and CCKT conversion chart for walleye.
  • Each angler’s best five (5) fish will comprise their Daily Bag Weight. Bass, Walleye, or both target species are designated for each event (see individual event rules below).

Required photo/video elements:

  • Hero photo (not mandatory) will be a selfie photo taken with the angler and the fish in the same frame. Whenever possible, and especially with notable catches, a hero shot would be appreciated for use in articles, social media, results reporting, and general promotion of the CCKT.
  • Measurement photo will be taken with the fish laying flat on its right side, belly to the angler, head to angler’s left butted against the bump of the ruler (0″) with its mouth closed (see Judging below). Tail may be pinched to achieve maximum length. Angler may hold the fish in place for the photo. Angler ID Card must be visible in the photo. Photo must be taken from above and not at an angle. Entire fish from head to tail must in the frame. Measuring device markings must be clearly visible. Hand and/or fingers must not be in the gill plate. Fish must be clear of any holding devices in the measurement photo (lip grips, lure/hook).
  • Release Video will commence from the same framing and fish position that the measurement photo was taken. Fish will then be taken off the ruler and held in the water to assist with recuperation. Fish will swim away under its own power. Video may end once angler is no longer physically touching the fish and the fish has swum away healthily. Fish may be held in a landing net in the water at any point in the scoring process for the purpose of aiding recuperation/health of the fish.
  • Angler will submit the photo/video elements to their private Whatsapp chat with the Weighmaster for verification and official approval. The quality of the submitted photo/video elements are the responsibility of the angler.

Judging

  • Penalties or disqualification of individual fish may be levied if all required photo and release video conditions are not adhered to.
  • Half inch (0.50″) penalty: Mouth open in Measurement Photo with discernible advantage (discretion of the Weighmaster. Judging process will be explained at each Rules Meeting).
  • Individual fish disqualification:
    • Release Video – none submitted; unsuccessful release (dead or stressed fish)
    • Measurement Photo – none submitted; photo missing Angler ID tag; wrong side of fish facing camera; head not touching bump board, tail not flat on ruler.
  • Official CCKT Length-to-Weight Conversion Charts published on kickerfish.ca will be used to calculate the score of each individual fish.
  • Each angler’s heaviest five (5) fish will comprise their total Daily Bag Weight.
  • Official recording of fish and Daily Bag Weight shall be in pounds to two decimal point places.
  • Measurements will be scored at the last 1/4 inch line that the longest part of the fish’s tail clearly crosses. The fish must clearly touch the next 1/4 inch line to score that measurement (we no longer round up).
  • All measurements and weights declared by the Weighmaster are final.
  • At the end of the competition day, the Weighmaster will communicate via Whatsapp your bag receipt. All anglers must acknowledge that they have reviewed the receipt via a thumbs up or comment in order to finalize your score. No reviews or appeals will be accepted once you have approved the receipt. Failure to acknowledge your receipt by the time awarding begins will result in a zero score.

Safety

  • Competitors are not permitted to consume alcohol directly before and during tournament hours.
  • Competitors are required to wear a Transport Canada approved Personal Floatation Device when on their kayak at all times.
  • Emergency contact number will be the declared tournament Weighmaster.
  • All anglers must adhere to safe boating practices while participating in the tournament.
  • For the purpose of accounting the safe return of all competitors, all anglers are required to check-out at the conclusion of tournament hours at the designated Muster Area. Failure to do so may affect the eligibility of your Daily Bag Weight and/or further participation in the Trail.

Tournament Awards

  • The Main Prize Pool will be awarded based on heaviest Daily Bag Weight with the top weight winning first place. Prize placing spots will descend to the fifth (5th) best finishing angler for a field of twenty (20) teams. Organizers reserve the right to adjust prize placing spots as needed for each event to reflect at minimum the top 25% of the field winning a prize.
  • All prize placing spots in the Main Prize Pool will be cash awards broken down by proportional percentage of each respective event’s total entry fees and/or prizes.
  • Tiebreaker Rule – In the event of a tie (same exact official weight), the higher placing angler will be determined by each angler’s longest scored fish of the tournament. If still tied, then the higher placing angler will be determined by each angler’s next longest scored fish and so on until the tie is broken. Anglers will combine award values of placings and split the award evenly if the tiebreaker rule cannot break the tie.
  • Other prizes may be awarded to subsequent prize placings based on sponsor support of each event. Individual tournament prizes and cash awards will be finalized and made public at the latest during the Friday Rules Meeting of each event.
  • Prizes must be accepted as awarded.

End of Season Awards

  • Angler of the Year Award – standings will be determined by each angler’s best three (3) finishes. The angler with the highest total points will win the Angler of the Year award. Points are awarded to each angler for every placing in the Final Standings at each tournament using the following scoring format: 1st place – 100 points, 2nd place – 99 points, 3rd place – 98 points, and so on until the last place standing of each event. Anglers must have physically competed (completed check-in process) at a tournament in order to earn a place standing. Disqualifications will result in no points being awarded.
  • Ties in the AOY points standings will be broken by highest placing in any tournament during the 2024 season. Example: If one tied angler had a first place finish at an event and the other tied angler’s best finish during the season was a second, then the angler with the first place will finish higher in the standings. If tied angler’s are still tied using this method of place finish over the four tournaments, then the next tiebreaker will be heaviest one-day bag weight during the season (angler with the higher best bag weight will finish higher in the standings).
  • Angler of the Year prize sponsored by Stillwater Adventures. Winner will receive TBA. Winner will also receive a take-home plaque and a nameplate on the CCKT AOY Trophy.
  • BIG BASS of the YEAR Award – standings will be determined by each angler’s longest/heaviest smallmouth bass or largemouth bass caught at any tournament during the 2024 season where bass are an eligible species to be scored.
  • BIG WALLEYE of the YEAR Award – standings will be determined by each angler’s longest/heaviest walleye caught at any tournament during the 2024 season where walleye are an eligible species to be scored.
  • Ties in either of the Big Fish award categories will be broken by each respective tied angler’s next longest/heaviest fish scored for that particular species category

Other

  • Anglers must register for each tournament by filling out the entry form online at kickerfish.ca
  • Registration for each event is not final until the entry fee has been received.
  • Upon filling out the entry/waiver form, competitors are permitting the use of their name and image on all media coverage relating to the promotion and reporting of the Central Canada Kayak Trail. Competitors also free the organizers, volunteers, sponsors, and other agents involved in the above-named event of any responsibility for death, injury, damage, theft, or related loss as a result of participating in the Central Canada Kayak Trail howsoever caused.
  • Tournament Directors reserve the right to delay, shorten, or cancel a tournament in the case of severe weather or unsafe conditions.
  • Competitors who have been disqualified will not be entitled to a refund of their entry fee.
  • Any protests of contravention of rules must be submitted directly to the Tournament Organizers accompanied with $200 cash before one hour has lapsed from the end of the tournament. Fee will be refunded if allegations are found to be justified and result in a change in the final standings.
  • It is the goal of the Tournament Directors to organize a fair and sportsmanlike competitive event, in all cases the ‘spirit of the rule’ will apply.

Stop #1 – WARGATIE LAKE– Tournament specific rules

  • There will be only one official launching point for this event which is at Wargatie Boat Launch.
  • Walleye, sauger, saugeye are eligible species working off of one conversion chart.
  • Live bait is permitted.

Stop #2 – LAKE OF THE PRAIRIES – Tournament specific rules

  • There will be only one official launching point for this event which is at Pyott’s West Campground.
  • Walleye, sauger, saugeye are eligible species working off of one conversion chart.
  • Live bait is permitted.

Stop #3 – SHOAL LAKE – Tournament specific rules

  • There will be only one official launching point for this event which is at Clytie Bay.
  • Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass are eligible species with their own respective length-to-weight conversion charts
  • We will have a Starlink zone at the Clytie Bay launch to ensure catches can be submitted to the Weighmaster.

Stop #4 – BLINDFOLD LAKE – Tournament specific rules

  • There will be only one official launching point for this event which is at TBA.
  • Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass are eligible species with their own respective length-to-weight conversion charts.

CENTRAL CANADA KAYAK TRAIL – MAIN CONTACT

Call or Text ERIC LABAUPA 204-995-6583