About
Aurora BassMasters was established in 2005 and is a member of BassMasters. It is a volunteer-based non-profit organization focused on recreational competitive fishing. Aurora BassMasters hosts 10 tournaments each fishing season, all within a two-hour drive of Aurora, Ontario. Aurora BassMasters members volunteer at Urban Fishing Festivals, conservation activities, and recreational fishing tradeshows and tackle swaps.
Aurora BassMasters actively participates in the Ontario B.A.S.S. Nation (www.ontariobass.com) and the B.A.S.S. Nation programs. Our members also receive the B.A.S.S. Times magazine from B.A.S.S., which is exclusive to BassMasters members throughout the world.
Aurora BassMasters is a strict “Catch & Release” club.
Aurora BassMasters is one of the first clubs to institute the “Catch & Release” method of tournament fishing. ALL fish caught during a tournament MUST be released alive after being weighed. In other words, we fish for recreation, not dinner.
One of our members, Richard Worell, developed an App called Fish ProQuo that gives us the ability to record our catch and release the fish immediately, increasing the survival rate to 98%. Fish ProQuo also allows us to track each others results live throughout a tournament, creating a fun horse race like atmosphere right down to the wire. Other clubs are now starting to use Fish ProQuo, all contributing to the protection of our prized resource; big and small mouth bass.
Aurora BassMasters welcomes non-boat owning members.
Non-boaters are randomly matched with boaters for each tournament. There is no minimum requirement for the number of tournaments members must participate in. Members chose the tournaments that fit their schedule.
The emphasis of Aurora BassMasters is on fun, recreation, and camaraderie.
Anglers of all levels are welcome, and you are guaranteed to be a better angler at the end of the season than when you began. Each tournament features prizes and post-fishing BBQ.
Aurora BassMasters holds meetings on the first Wednesday of every month and all members are welcome to attend. As a volunteer-based organization we depend on members taking on tasks and assignments throughout the season and reward active members.
In the Community
Urban Fishing Festival
Aurora BassMasters partners with the Newmarket Optimists Club (hyperlink) to introduce kids and families to fishing right in their own community. All kids receive a free fishing rod, loaded tackle box, and instruction on how to bait and cast a rod. Within minutes they are fishing in Newmarket Fairy Lake!
Toronto Sportsmen’s Show
Aurora BassMasters members volunteer with Ontario Bass Nation at the Toronto Sportsmen’s Show and other local fishing & outdoors events to promote sustainable fishing practices.
Highway Clean-up
Each year, members of Aurora BassMasters volunteer to clean the surrounding area of a section of Old Yonge Street in the Holland Landing area. In a single day we remove about a ton of garbage and organic waste.
Fairy Lake Fishing Dock
Aurora BassMasters has taken the lead to raise $30,000 to build an accessible fishing dock at Newmarket Fairy Lake. In addition to building the dock, we have partnered with the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Town of Newmarket, and the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority to stock Fairy Lake with large mouth bass. Fairy Lake has been designated as a strict catch and release area with violators subject to a significant fine and having all their fishing equipment confiscated.
Project Campfire Circle
Members of Aurora BassMasters volunteer for Project Campfire Circle to take children with cancer or a serious illness out on a 3-hour fishing adventure, be it on a bass boat or from shore. Fishing is for everyone!
Our most important partner is you
Great things are never accomplished alone. Since our inception in 2005, Aurora BassMasters has nurtured partnerships with community groups, government, and fishing industry leaders. But our most important partner is you. As a volunteer-based organization, we ask all members to pitch in. Whatever your strength or comfort level, you have a role to play. Members are asked to choose the area that they feel most comfortable in and feel they can contribute the best.
- Post-fishing BBQ & Social Committee
- Community, Conservation, and Youth Events
- Tournament Committee
- Website & Social Media Committee
- Fundraising & Finance Committee
- Swag Bag Committee
Aurora BassMasters members are asked to contribute a minimum of 10 volunteer hours per fishing season and attend at least 50% of our monthly meetings, either live or virtually. We understand that family and other commitments sometimes makes it difficult to achieve that and members are not penalized if they are unable to volunteer. However, club members who volunteer and attend monthly meetings are rewarded with swag and other benefits, such as free entry into the Aurora BassMasters Classic ($250 value).
New members must be approved at the Aurora BassMasters monthly meeting before being allowed to participate in club activities, including fishing tournaments. If for any reason an applicant is not approved, the annual membership fee will be fully refunded.