When you chat with anglers who fish the MTT (MN Tournament Trail), there have been a lot of memories throughout the year. But in many cases, the tournament has been on the radar screens of most is the championship that takes place at Lake of the Woods each year in September.
This past championship took place on Lake of the Woods September 15-16, 2016 and was a shoot out with lots of big fish caught. Midwest Outdoors TV caught all of the action of the two day tournament and it airs this weekend on Fox Sports North and Fox Sports WI at 9:30am on Saturday, as well as other local stations.
This tournament is special for a number of reasons. First off, anglers are fishing for a $40k Skeeter boat package powered by a 150 hp Yamaha Outboard. Secondly, this tournament will determine anglers of the year. And finally, the best of the best will be fishing this tournament as teams have to qualify by placing in the top 75 for the year or by fishing four one day tournaments and one two day tournament.
Throughout the year, anglers competed on a variety of lakes and rivers in MN to qualify for the championship including the Mississippi River at Red Wing, Big Stone Lake, Lake Mille Lacs, Lake Winnibigoshish and Lake of the Woods.
The MN Tournament Trail is run by Mike and Renee Holt. Mike Holt appreciates Lake of the Woods for the championship for a number of reasons. First off, anglers love the lake, it is good fishing and there is a variety of lodging. If the lake is rough, there is about 40 miles of navigable water on the Rainy River to fish. During mid September there are often quality walleyes to be found in the river. Finally, regardless of how a team has done on the first day of the two day tournament, you are never out of it as there are monster walleyes in the system. Two big fish on day two makes up for a tough day one.
The tournament headquarters for this yearfs championship tournament was Border View Lodge which is located right next to the Wheelerfs Point public access at the mouth of the Rainy River.
Congratulations to the 2016 MTT Championship winners Eric Nesius and Mike Christiansen! Also a big congratulations to the MTT Team of the Year, Bryan Dunaiski and Bob Nitti. This tournament was a great one with Lake of the Woods putting out great numbers and quality of walleyes. 10 fish over 28 were weighed in with the big fish of the tournament caught by Corey and Dayton Jahn, an 11.32 lb monster walleye. Check out this weekfs Midwest Outdoors TV and see how it all came together. This is the kind of tournament where anglerfs dreams do come true!
