Belleville’s Tyler Winter is $20,000 richer after a weekend of fishing.

Winter did what no one has done in five years, when he caught the $20,000 tagged fish Saturday afternoon during this year’s Walleye World Fishing Derby.

Winter was just one of a record number of anglers who flocked to local waterways over the weekend to participate in the annual event spearheaded by the City of Quinte West and the Trenton Kiwanis Club.

Marjorie Buck, president of the Kiwanis Club of Belleville, said the event attracted more than 5,000 participants, up from about 4,761 in 2009.
With almost $250,000 in prizes up for grabs, dozens of anglers converged at the George Street boating ramp, in Belleville, to beat the rush heading out on the Bay of Quinte Friday night.

The competition had 10 weigh stations spread across the region, in areas such as Trenton, Belleville, Picton and Napanee. Every location was equipped with an electronic posting system, that provided almost instant updates about the big catches of the day.

“In the past we would have to call the other places to get the information,” she said. “Now it’s all computerized. It’s just a beautiful thing.”

Buck said despite record numbers, things were much slower in Belleville than organizers had anticipated for the 30th year of the event. There were about 500 boaters who launched their vessels from Belleville, down from the close to 800, in past years.

“We would have a lineup, all the way to St. Paul Street,” she said. “I’m a little disappointed because I think Belleville has the ultimate set of ramps.”

Buck said most of the anglers are shying away from the water around Belleville, because fluctuating weather pushed the spawn up stream much earlier this year. She said areas such as Deseronto, Hay Bay and Picton have become a bigger draw for participants.

“For the last two years Picton has had the winning fish,” she said. “We haven’t had a winning fish in the last five years.”

Competitor Gene Frederick agreed about the lack of big fish in the bay around Belleville. He said a storm front that had anglers racing off the water Saturday didn’t help either.

“We didn’t have very good luck this weekend,” he said. “It was not as good as other years.”

Eric Fraser said Belleville is renowned for having small fish, so anglers are opting to go elsewhere, if they want to win. He caught six walleye over the weekend, with the heaviest one coming in at 4.9 pounds.

“It was pretty slow to begin with,” he said. “Saturday was pretty rough. Sunday was perfect.”

He said next year he might also make the switch.

“I think we will head to either Brighton or Picton, just because of the hype,” he said. “Everybody has been down that way and they say it’s big fish down there.”

He said that doesn’t detract from what Belleville has to offer.

“I think people will still come here,” he said. “It’s just great fishing all over.”

He said he was pleased to know some of the $80,000 expected to be raised by the derby is going straight back into the local community.

“It’s good for the community,” he said. “The Kiwanis club help out an enormous number of people.”

Jamie Walker’s name was etched on the score board all weekend with his 17-pound pike. Nick Monger also dominated with his 11.7-pound walleye.

The tournament also featured dozens of junior anglers, who competed in the walleye and pike categories.

“Given the weather, we had an outstanding weekend,” Buck said.

Droves of patrons flocked to the docks to catch a glimpse of some of the fish housed on the dock in a tub filled with water.

“There has been a lot of public support outside of the fishermen,” she said. “A lot of people were down to the ramps watching and enjoying it.”

A small contingent of police officers were on hand to ensure each angler had proper equipment before he or she hit the water.

“I like the fact the police were there to educate, in regards to safety,” she said. “They explained to people what the violation was and gave the people a chance to correct it. I’d love to see it again next year.”

Fraser also applauded the police for showing their colours over the weekend.

“Anything that helps to save a life is great,” he said. “They were checking before we went into the water.”

Kevin Parr said the Kiwanis club hosted a stellar event.

“Its got fantastic organizing,” he said. “I don’t think I would change anything. The live release is fantastic because you’re just keeping the pickerel population up.

“There are some great prizes. It’s also bringing money into the Belleville area.”