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For the second year in a row, some of the finest bass anglers in Ontario will descend on Little Current as the SCB Haweater Open returns to Haweater Weekend, bringing with it big fish, big prizes and what organizers hope will be one of the largest spectator events of the summer.

Hosted by the Huron Bass Tour in partnership with Sheppard’s Custom Building (SCB Construction), the Township of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands and the Little Current Lions Club, the tournament has grown significantly since its inaugural year. This year’s event brings not only elite bass fishing competition but also a festival atmosphere complete with vendors, family activities, giveaways and an expanded waterfront venue that puts the action directly in front of the public.

“We aren’t going to be using the barge again this year,” said Huron Bass Tour President Laszlo Feher. “This year we managed to secure a major section of the docks behind the post office in Little Current. It should help bring our event close to the people so they can come and enjoy and cheer the anglers on. The weigh-in stage will be front and centre, and we should get a good crowd.”

That move places the tournament directly in the heart of all the Haweater Weekend celebrations, allowing hundreds of festival-goers to witness the excitement as anglers return from a full day on the water carrying their best five-bass to the scales.

For competitors, the stakes have never been higher. “As of right now, we have about 40 boats, but registration is still open on our website,” Mr. Feher said. “The more we get, the bigger the prize pot. So at this point, we’re already looking at a $19,000 purse for first place.”

The growing field reflects the rapid rise of the SCB Haweater Open, which has quickly established itself as one of Northern Ontario’s premier bass tournaments. Anglers from across the province are expected to compete for cash prizes, tournament points and the prestige that comes with winning on Manitoulin Island’s legendary and pristine fishing waters.

Beyond the competition itself, this year’s event is expanding into a full outdoor expo. “This year, we’ve been lucky enough to bring on a bunch of vendors who range from hunting and fishing to vehicles and power sports, real estate, and Mindemoya Foodland, who will be holding a charity food service.”

Visitors can browse displays showcasing the latest fishing tackle, boats, trucks, off-road vehicles and outdoor equipment while enjoying food and refreshments throughout the day. Organizers hope the expo will provide something for everyone, even those who have never picked up a fishing rod before.

The tournament has also attracted an impressive list of new sponsors eager to help grow the event. “This year we have a few new main sponsors, with those being Northern Ford, North Bay Cycle and Sports, Harbourvue Marina and Midcity Motorsports also, and of course our returning diamond sponsor SCB Construction,” Mr. Feher told the Expositor. “All of these guys have given us a lot of money and are now being called co-presenters.”

That level of support has helped transform the tournament from a promising newcomer on the fishing tournament scene into one of the showcase events of Haweater Weekend and the Huron Bass Tour. While many spectators are expected to gather for the afternoon weigh-in, Mr. Feher encourages people to arrive early to experience another exciting part of tournament fishing.

“If people want to see some excitement, they should come to watch the morning takeoffs, which will take place behind the post office at 7:50 sharp,” he said. “There will be an early weigh-in starting at 2:00 p.m., but there won’t be any MCs there. The real excitement starts at 4:00 p.m.”

That afternoon show has become one of the tournament’s biggest attractions. One by one, teams step onto the stage carrying heavy bags of bass before hoisting their catches high above their heads for the crowd to see. Every ounce matters, and dramatic shifts in the leaderboard are common as the final competitors make their way to the scales.

The excitement doesn’t stop with the anglers. Families attending the event will find activities created especially for younger visitors. “We’re also going to have some games for the kids,” Mr. Feher told the Expositor. “We have a corn-hole-like casting game called ‘Casting for Kids,’ and the kids can cast into the holes and win prizes from Lunker Hunt and Great Lakes Finesse. We’re also going to have periodic giveaways throughout the day.”

By combining professional tournament fishing with family entertainment, organizers hope the event becomes a destination not just for anglers but also for people seeking a unique experience during Haweater Weekend. Mr. Feher says his affection for Manitoulin Island is one of the driving forces behind the tournament’s continued growth. “I’m really glad we get to do this again,” he said. “I just love the Island and my parents have a place out in Mindemoya. There’s great fishing and great people; what more could you want? And I’m also glad that we get to attract people from around the area who’ll come out and help boost the economy and aren’t scared to spend a little cash. I think it works out great for everyone.”

That economic impact is one of the tournament’s hidden successes. Competitors and their families often spend several days on the Island, filling hotels, campgrounds and cottages while supporting restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations and local retailers. As the event continues to grow, organizers hope it will become another reason for visitors to extend their stay during Haweater Weekend.

While competition is fierce, the Huron Bass Tour also emphasizes conservation and responsible fish handling. Tournament rules include detailed fish-care procedures designed to maximize survival after release. Anglers are expected to maintain healthy live wells throughout the day, and penalties are assessed for dead fish or fish that require intervention at the weigh-in.

“Once again we are asking the anglers to fizz their catches if they need it,” Mr. Feher explained. “If a fish comes in and needs fizzing and we need to do it, there’s a half-pound penalty. So we’re insisting that they do it out on the lake and help to keep the fish alive and safe.”

Fizzing is a conservation technique used when bass are caught in deeper water. Fish brought rapidly to the surface can suffer from an expanded swim bladder, making it difficult for them to return to depth after release. By carefully inserting a needle to release excess gas, anglers can greatly improve the fish’s chances of survival.

That commitment to conservation extends throughout the tournament, with wildlife specialists monitoring fish health and tournament officials emphasizing proper handling techniques. Organizers hope the event not only features world-class bass fishing but also promotes stewardship of the fishery that supports the tournament.

In keeping with that spirit, the Huron Bass Tour also formally acknowledges that the tournament takes place on the ancestral waters of the seven local 91���˵���s: Aundeck Omni Kaning, M’Chigeeng, Sheguiandah, Sheshegwaning, Whitefish River, Wiikwemkoong and Zhiibaahaasing. Organizers have expressed their recognition of the opportunity to host the event while celebrating the region’s natural beauty and mutual regard for the water.

Whether visitors come to cheer on professional anglers, browse the outdoor expo, enjoy family activities or simply soak up another engaging part of Haweater Weekend, the SCB Haweater Open is sure to offer a full day of entertainment on the Little Current waterfront.

With nearly $19,000 currently slated for first prize, dozens of elite teams expected on the water and a downtown stage designed to bring spectators closer than ever to the action, the second annual SCB Haweater Open is likely to become one of the highlights of this year’s festival.

Interested anglers who want to join in on the fun are asked to visit https://huronbasstour.com/ for more information on rules, regulations, and registration. In addition, visitors to the site can see more information on sponsors, tournament leaders, and weight totals.