The National Walleye Tour will be making a stop in Sault Ste. Marie next week following a rescheduling that will now see professional anglers competing on the St. Marys River.

Due to COVID-19, tournament organizers were forced to call an audible on their 2020 schedule resulting with Sault Ste. Marie hosting the premiere walleye competition presented by Bass Pro Shop and Cabela’s. The Soo previously hosted the National Walleye Tour (NWT) last summer.

Upwards of 80 boats containing professional anglers and co-anglers will be launching from Aune Osborn Campground at 7 a.m. on Aug. 13 and 14 in search of championship level walleye.

The Sault Ste. Marie Convention & Visitors Bureau is proud to step in and host the NWT once again. CVB Executive Director Linda Hoath said, “We’re happy to have the fishermen in our community. They will be buying gas, dining at local restaurants, and staying at local lodging establishments.”

Unfortunately, due to safety guidelines, this tournament will not be open to the public. As much as we would love to make a spectacle of the weigh-ins, safety is paramount. Virtual coverage of the weigh-ins and awards ceremony will take place online on the NWT’s Facebook page.

According to the NWT, the event will bring unmatched television and media coverage. The event will be aired on multiple national and regional networks including the Pursuit Channel, CBS Sports Network and more.

Aune Osborn Campground is located at 1225 Riverside Drive near the Sugar Island Ferry dock. The NWT will be the first of three fishing tournaments the Sault Ste. Marie CVB is bringing to the area this year. Two bass tournaments will take place in September to round out the competitive fishing calendar in the Soo this year.