Fishing Tournaments in Greater Buffalo, NY-September to November, 2023
Sept. 24, 2023: 36th Annual NYPA Wildlife Festival
Held in conjunction with National Hunting and Fishing Day weekend, this event is co-sponsored by the Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs and held on the grounds of the Power Authority’s Visitor Center in Lewiston. Doors are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission.
Nov. 11, 2023: New York State’s Free Fishing Days/Weekends
During Free Fishing Days/Weekends, anyone can fish the fresh waters of New York State and no fishing license is required! All other freshwater fishing regulations still apply.
Past
February 25, 2023 – The Niagara River Anglers Association will be holding their winter steelhead classic at Lewiston Landing in the lower river and Lake Ontario tributaries. $20 entry, plus optional $5 brown trout. For information, visit their Facebook page.
April 15-16, 2023- Tri County Trout Derby- Arcade, NY at the Upper Cattaragus Creek from 6:30am to 7pm on Saturday and 6:30am to 5pm on Sunday. Headquarters are at the Arcade Fire Department, 145 North Street, Arcade. Registration is $25- all ages, kids under 12 receive a free fishing related gift. Registration form
Derby covers a 9-mile stretch of the Cattaraugus creek. It begins at the public access point to the creek
right on the corner of Route 98 and East Arcade Rd (Old Cattaraugus Road) and goes 200 yards past the Bridge on Savage Road in Chaffee. Boundaries are clearly marked during the derby.
The fish are released at 14-20 different locations on the Cattaraugus creek within the boundaries of the
derby. No tagged fish will be stocked outside of these boundaries and absolutely no tagged fish will be stocked into any feeder streams (tributaries) of the Cattaraugus creek.
They release 400 tagged fish and the prizes vary based on the ID number on the tag. The amounts range from $25-$1,000) of the Cattaraugus creek.
April 15-16, 2023- Niagara County Bullhead Tournament. 4pm on April 14 to April 16 at 1pm. Entry fee is $10 for age 13+ and free for those 12 and under. Best two fish.Weigh in the final day at the Wilson Conservation Club. Contact Eric via phone for more information, 716-628-6078.
May 13 to 14, 2023- Lake Ontario Counties (LOC) Spring Trout and Salmon Derby
This premier spring kick-off classic, offering a $15,000 Grand Prize for the largest salmon caught overall, also sports over $44,000 in cash and prizes overall. More than 60 percent of all the winning fish come from the waters off Niagara. For more information, call (888) REEL-2-IN or visit their website. future dates- July 1 to 30 and August 18 to September 4. Learn more and register
June 2-3, 2023-38th Annual Skip Hartman Memorial Lake Ontario Pro-Am Salmon Team Tournament.Back to a two-day event with a third day set aside for weather challenges. Over $40,000 in cash and prizes last year. 100 percent payback of entry fees! For more information, call (877) FALLS US or log onto the tournament website for rules and sign up information.
June 17 to 18, 2023- Southtowns Walleye Derby– Sign up at The Southtowns Walleye Association at 5895 Southwestern Blvd., Hamburg. or a Lime Lake Marine, Nature’s Prize, Catt, Creek Bait and Tackle, Bill’s Hooks, Bracelona Market Cafe and Nicks Sporting Goods. You can also register online.
July 14, 2023 is the 11th Annual Curt Meddaugh Memorial Fishing Derby to remember an important LOTSA member. Free for anyone registered in the Saturday event. For more information, visit the website.
July 15, 2023-20th Annual Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Assn. King Salmon Tournament (6 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
This event offers 100 percent cash pay back. All participants must be LOTSA members.
July 24 to 26, 2023– Irving, NY-Sunset Bay Walleye Tournament –The tournament is officially the highest paying walleye tournament in the country, with cash and prizes exceeding $150,000.00 for a one-day, walleye shootout. Learn more
The entire fleet will line up at the pier heads of the Cattaraugus Creek in Sunset Bay. At 7:00 AM sharp, the fleet shoots off to what they hope will produce the largest 6 walleyes of the day. The public is welcome to walk out on the pier heads to get close to the action of over 100 boats taking off.
Weigh in at 4:30pm on July 19. Sunset Bay Marina is located at 12973 Alleghany Rd. Irving, NY, 14081. Both are in Sunset Bay USA, only minutes from NYS Thruway, exit 58.
July 1 to 30, 2023- 12th Annual Lake Ontario Counties (LOC) Summer Derby
Grand prize is $10,000 for biggest salmon. Weekly prizes for the divisions ($1,000 for salmon and $500 for trout), $30,000 overall. Check out the website for all the details for this new summer event or call (888) REEL-2-IN.
August 4-6– NCCC Walleye Derby-Dunkirk- Contact Zen Olow – 716-640-2776 (Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club)
August 18, 2023: Reelin’ for a Cure Tournament (One day, ladies-only event)
This 5th annual ladies event will once again be held out of Wilson and Olcott. It’s a great way to celebrate life and pay tribute to cancer survivors. Last year, over $14,000 was raised for the Hope for Two group as 36 teams also competed for cash prizes. Call Stephanie at 716-481-6388 and also log onto the event’s Facebook page. Kids are Free is a special youth division
August 19 – Innovative Outdoors Walleye Challenge-Dunkirk- $500 Entry. Contact Jim Steel, 716-481-5348. innovativeoutdoors,com (register by August 10). Learn more
August 18 to 27, 2023- 47th Annual Greater Niagara “Fall Classic” Derby
Species categories included salmon, rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout, smallmouth bass, carp and walleye. All have a chance to win the Grand Prize. For more information, call (877) FALLS US or visit the website. Kids are FREE in a special youth division.
August 18 to September 4, 2023: Lake Ontario Counties (LOC) Fall Trout and Salmon Derby.Over $70,000 in cash and prizes including a $25,000 Grand Prize for the largest trout or salmon caught during this 18-day event. Help anglers celebrate the return of the mighty king salmon on Lake Ontario! Sign up in local tackle shops or call (888) REEL-2-IN. You can also visit their website for more info or to register.
September 9 – 1-Day Walleye Derby on Lake Erie- $35 Entry, Southtowns Walleye, Tom Chiavetta- 716-208-4245.
Sept. 23, 2023: New York State’s Free Fishing Days
During Free Fishing Days/Weekends, anyone can fish the fresh waters of New York State and no fishing license is required! All other freshwater fishing regulations still apply.
