Dunkirk Walleye Fishing Tournament is June 5 to7, 2026 on the city pier.To register for the upcoming WNY Walleye Classic as an angler, visit www.primitivepatriotoutdoors.com or call Larsen at (716) 490-4226. Sponsorship, vendor and/or volunteer questions can be referred to Mekus at (716) 366-9848 or smekus@cityofdunkirk.com.

New this year, Big Fish Friday is eliminated to make the event two days (Day 1 – Friday, June 5 and Day 2 – Saturday, June 6) of anglers catching 6 fish each day for a total of 12 fish over a two-day period with fishing from 6 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Anglers can now launch out of any port and fish on any New York waters of Lake Erie as long as coolers are returned to the Dunkirk Boat Launch check-in area by 3:30 p.m. sharp.

Pro angler and National Walleye Tour Championship finalist, Craig Sleeman, will also conduct a free kid’s fishing clinic and tournament Sunday, June 8 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Dunkirk Pier. The winner of the tournament will win a guided fishing trip with Sleeman and also a winner’s plaque.

After the 5 p.m. weigh-in shows, both days will also feature live music on the stage from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Food, craft and fishing gear vendors will be on site both Friday (2 p.m. – 7 p.m.) and Saturday (11 a.m. – 7 p.m.).

The main event starts Saturday with boat checks at 5:30 a.m. followed by the shotgun start at 7 a.m. where teams will all race off to their fishing location. The community is encouraged to come watch as the roar of 40 plus boats race off along the shores of Lake Erie. Cooler drop off is by 3:30 p.m. proceeded by the weigh in show at 5 p.m.

The biggest fish are weighed last to enhance the buildup of excitement to announce the winners and overall champion that day.