CANTON – Canton Lake’s biggest annual event is returning this weekend, as fishermen from throughout the region will descend on Blaine County hoping to snag the largest walleye and win the grand prize.
The Canton Lake Walleye Rodeo begins Thursday, May 12, and wraps up on Sunday, May 15. Featuring a 5K run, a parade, a ranch rodeo and more, the Walleye Rodeo is much more than just fishing. But for those who do cast a line, catching a big fish could turn into some big money.
To honor the memory of Calvert “Junior” Garman and Marvin “Curt” Martin, one specially tagged fish is worth $25,000. To enter, register at the weigh station starting Thursday morning. Registration is $10.
And there are many more prizes to be won throughout the weekend. The largest walleye turned in will earn a $1,000 grand prize. There’s also a $750 prize for second place, $500 for third, $350 for the fourth-largest fish and a cool $200 for fifth place.
The person who registers the largest poundage of walleye overall will win $500. Mike Dobson of Elk City caught the largest walleye in 2021, a 7.4-pound fish that was mounted for free, per tradition.
While registration begins on Thursday, the Walleye Rodeo’s other events get going on Friday with a Canton Senior Citizens Fish Fry from 5 to 7 p.m. The 1- mile fun run will be Saturday morning at 8 a.m., with the 5K to follow at 8:30; registration is at 7 a.m.
The Walleye Rodeo Parade is at 10 a.m. Saturday. Special events will continue throughout the day, with a free street dance in downtown Canton from 8 to 11 p.m.
The weekend will wrap up Sunday with the awards ceremony at 1:30 p.m. at the weigh station.
For a full schedule of events and more information, visit the Canton Lake Walleye Rodeo page on Facebook. Fishing registration begins Thursday at 9 a.m. at the weigh station, which is near the Canadian Recreation Area on the southwestern tip of the lake.
Lucky Star Casino is the title sponsor of this year’s event.