6th Annual Wikwemikong Ice Fishing Derby TV shoot, Manitoulin Island, ON.

Posted on February 17th, 2014

Many children, women and men entered the 6th Annual Wikwemikong Ice Fishing Derby and many of them caught winning rainbows!

We just returned from covering the 6^th Annual Wikwemikong Ice Fishing Derby held on Manitowaning Bay, Manitoulin Island, ON. Wikwemikokg is an Unceded Reserve that offers anglers nu-paralleled rainbow trout fishing in the pristine waters of Lake Huron.

Holes were pre-cut for this even and covered shoreline waters that ranged from 8-15' depths. — Holes were pre-cut for this even and covered shoreline waters that ranged from 8-15′ depths.

This years saw over 400 contestants enter and enjoy the excellent winter conditions, fishing, complimentary rainbow trout dinner and of course, have a chance of winning some impressive cash and prizes.

Competitors purchased their holes and early bird entrants had the first choice of fishing locations which made for an interesting competition!

I had the pleasure of covering the event with my wife Barbara, my daughter Amanda (who was part of the production team), our pup Mulligan and our camera crew of Joe Shugan and Jeff Devisser.

David Lauzon, Co-Founder and Chief Pilot of Heli Explore Inc. provided his services to enable our camera man to shoot some incredible aerial footage of the event.

We covered the non-stop action on the ice as we scrambled to shoot the freshly caught rainbows in the competition.

The 1st prize was taken by a female competitor that landed an 8 lb+ rainbows trout which won her a Polaris 400 ATV.

Skies were clear, air temperatures hovered in the -10C, with light winds which made for challenging fishing. Rainbows can be spooky and most of the competitors fished in water less than 15′ deep.

This young girl won $500 for her prize catch!

Holes were pre-drilled 2-days before so not to spook fish. Snowmobiles and other ATV’s were not allowed near the competitors to again help to not spook fish, and fish finders were not allowed to make the fishing fair for everyone.

This competitor won an underwater video camera.

The competitions started at 8:30am and was over at 12:30noon, after which all participants met in the local auditorium to receive their winnings and a complimentary fresh trout dinner!

This is the young anglers that is holding the fish in the first image. His fish landed him a 43" Plasma TV. I asked him where he was going to put it....he answered, "My bedroom, of course!" — This is the young anglers that is holding the fish in the first image. His fish landed him a 43″ Plasma TV. I asked him where he was going to put it….he answered, “My bedroom, of course!”

Besides covering the event, we also got to enjoy some trophy rainbow trout fishing through the ice to give viewers valuable tips on catching these beautiful fish using light-gear and the right artificial lures & presentation.

Luc Wassegijig, the Ice Fishing Derby founder and manager posses with myself and Chief Duke Peltier and his son. — Luc Wassegijig, the Ice Fishing Derby founder and manager posses with myself and Wikwemikong Chief, Duke Peltier and his son.

In addition to the fishing action we also had a chance to shoot segments with Wikwemikong’ s Chief, Duke Peltier and also interviewed many of the participants from Wikwemikog to share their unique culture and what makes the Wikwemikong Unceded Reserve so special in North America.

Over 400 competitors gathered in the large auditorium to enjoy a fresh rainbow trout dinner and many of them received great prizes!

If you love to ice fish, you won’t want to miss this exciting and informative episode when it is broadcast in the 2015 Canadian Sportfishing broadcast season.

If you would like to book a fishing trip to Wikwemikong for some fantastic, trophy rainbow trout fishing either in the winter, or open-water season, you can contact them at, inquiries@wikwemikong.ca, or you can contact them at, 1-800-880-1406 & (705) 859-3122.

Italo’s Blog