Quinte Walleye Festival

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Monday, January 12, 2026

The Competitive Sport Fishing League (CSFL) announces the launch of the Quinte Walleye Festival, a new signature event set for May 2 and 3, 2026.

STOUFFVILLE, ON - The CSFL is proud to announce the launch of the Quinte Walleye Festival, a brand new signature event taking place walleye opening weekend, May 2 and 3, 2026 across the legendary Bay of Quinte. The festival will feature three secured weigh-in stations located throughout the Bay, offering anglers of all ages multiple opportunities to participate and compete.

As Canada’s longest standing tournament series, the CSFL is excited to bring a fresh, dynamic, and inclusive festival style event to one of Ontario’s most celebrated fisheries. The Quinte Walleye Festival is designed to welcome anglers of all ages and skill levels, while also engaging families, spectators, and the local community.

The festival will include multiple official weigh-in stations, with the main weigh station located in Quinte West, serving as the event headquarters for live updates, activities, and the official awards ceremony.

Five Ways to Participate & Win

The Quinte Walleye Festival will feature five core components, giving participants multiple ways to get involved and take home prizes:

1. Tagged Walleye: Cash Prizes Specially tagged walleye will be released throughout the Bay of Quinte and can be redeemed for cash prizes, adding excitement and opportunity for anglers of all experience levels.

2. Weighed Walleye & Pike: Top Weight Prizes Participants may bring their walleye and pike to any official weigh station to compete for top weight prizes and leaderboard rankings. All weighed fish will be eligible to win the festival’s grand prize!

3. Awards Ceremony Draw: Celebrating Every Participant All ticket holders are invited to attend the awards ceremony following the final weigh-in on Sunday, May 3, 2026. Each participant will receive a draw ticket for a chance to win a variety of sponsor supported prizes. Participants must be present to claim prizes.

4. Social Media Contest: Engage & Win A weekend long social media contest will encourage participants to share their festival experience for a chance to win additional prizes. Whether fishing from a boat or shore, all participants are eligible to enter.

5. Pike-Eye Lunkerbowl: Quarterly Big Fish Add On Participants may opt into the Pike-Eye Lunkerbowl Quarterly Add On, an event within the event that awards cash prizes for the largest fish during designated time windows.

• Saturday: Walleye

• Sunday: Pike

Quarterly windows run 7–9 AM, 9–11 AM, 11 AM–1 PM, and 1–3 PM.The Lunkerbowl is a separate optional category with cash prizes based on entries.

Mayor Jim Harris of Quinte West shared his support for the new event stating, “Through working with the CSFL over the years, I am very confident that Andrew and the CSFL team will deliver a first class Walleye Festival. The City of Quinte West, along with our local businesses, look forward to welcoming participants and visitors to our community.”

CSFL President, Andrew Pallotta added, “We are thrilled to bring a festival style walleye event to the Bay of Quinte. By offering multiple ways to participate from tagged fish and weigh-ins to social contests we are creating an accessible experience that celebrates the fishery and engages the entire community, similar to the Orillia Perch Festival.”

The CSFL is currently working with local hotels to offer preferred participant rates, which will be announced at a later date.

Registration & Tickets

Registration details, rules and regulations, prize breakdowns, tagged fish information, and complete weigh station locations will be released shortly at www.csfl.ca/quintewalleyefestival

Tickets are on sale now, visit www.csfl.ca/quintewalleyefestival to purchase your ticket today!

Tickets will also be available at numerous retailers across Ontario, participating locations will be released soon.

The CSFL invites anglers of all ages and skill levels to join us May 2 and 3 for an unforgettable weekend on the Bay of Quinte!

Become an Event Sponsor

To become a sponsor of the Quinte Walleye Festival, please contact victoria@csfl.ca. Sponsorship opportunities include, but are not limited to, event prizing, tagged fish purchases, and on-site activations.

About the Competitive Sport Fishing League (CSFL)

The Competitive Sport Fishing League (CSFL) is Canada’s longest standing tournament series, dedicated to promoting sustainable angling, delivering innovative event experiences, and supporting fishing communities nationwide. The CSFL hosts over 30 annual events from April through October, including the Orillia Perch Festival, Canada–US Walleye Tournament, Bassmania Trail, MLF Canada, and numerous specialty events.

Over its 30 year history, the CSFL has successfully hosted more than 850 events, released thousands of fish, and welcomed anglers from around the world.

Fish care is the CSFL’s top priority. Since 1997, the CSFL has led the industry in conservation through its in water weigh-in system, developed in partnership with Queen’s University. This system utilizes regulated aerated tanks, water weigh-in scales, and state of the art live release boats, routinely managing the release of 500+ fish per day with less than a 1% mortality rate, ensuring the sustainability of the fishery for future generations.

Don’t just watch us grow, come grow with us!