Fishing Tournaments in Greater Buffalo- May to September, 2026.
24th Annual Don Johannes Memorial Big Fish Contest and 15th Annual Pete DeAngelo Memorial Three-Fish Contest
June 3, 2026
This is a precursor to the Pro-Am tournaments to get the teams warmed up for the fishing action. You don’t have to be in the pro-am to fish, though. Sign up at The Boat Doctors, Bootleggers Cove, or The Gas Shack in Wilson. Call (716) 523-1727 for more information. $100 per boat. 100% cash payout.
June 5-7, 2026- WNY Walleye Classic Pro Event in Dunkirk. Registration. The event is a two day event 6 fish each day Friday and Saturday. Big Calcuttas and 10% of the fleet paid.Kids day is Sunday with a kids clinic and tournament after. Kids event is free and they fish from the pier.Two days of fishing competition, six fish each day for a total of 12 over the course of the two day event. You can leave any port/harbor on Friday and Saturday coolers must be in the staging lot at the Dunkirk boat launch/fish cleaning station by 3:30 PM sharp both days. Weigh in show to begin at 5 PM for both days. Fishing times are from 6 AM and there is no stop fishing time. Just make sure you’re cooler is in the staging lot by 3:30 PM sharp. $600 entry fee. Big payouts and Calcuttas. NY waters of Lake Erie only
42nd Annual Skip Hartman Memorial Lake Ontario Pro-Am Salmon Team Tournament
June 5 and 6, 2026
Back to a two-day event with a third day set aside for weather challenges. Over $40,000 in cash and prizes. For more info call (877) FALLS US or log onto the tournament website for rules and sign up information. 100% payback of entry fees!
June 13 to 21, 2026- 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.
Annual Lake Ontario Counties (LOC) Summer Derby
June 27 to July 26, 2026- Register
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.
July 16 to 19, 2026– 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. Register
Double check the below info–this is from the past.
The entire fleet will line up at the pier heads of the Cattaraugus Creek in Sunset Bay. At 7:00 AM sharp (last year- confirm it for this year), 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 24, 2026 is the Annual Curt Meddaugh Memorial Fishing Derby to remember an important LOTSA member. For more information, visit the website.
23rd Annual Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association (LOTSA) King Salmon Tournament
July 25, 2026
This event offers a 100% cash payback. All participants must be LOTSA members. Tournament runs from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Deadline to register is July 13 at 6 p.m. For more information, check out the LOTSA website. July 24 is the 16th Annual Curt Meddaugh Memorial Fishing Derby to remember an important LOTSA member. Free for anyone registered for the Saturday event. For more information, check out the LOTSA website.
Reelin’ for a Cure Tournament (One Day Ladies-Only event)
August 21,2026- 6am to Noon. Register
This annual ladies’ event will once again be held out of Wilson and Olcott with after party starting at 1pm at Krull Park with food and raffles. It’s a great way to celebrate life and pay tribute to cancer survivors. Call Stephanie at (716) 481-6388 or click here for more information.
August 15, 2026 – Innovative Outdoors Walleye Challenge-Dunkirk- $500 Entry. Contact Jim Steel, 716-481-5348. innovativeoutdoors.com.Teams of 2-5 anglers,Up to 9 Rod/Reel Limit,All Waters of Lake Erie,6 Walleye Weigh-In,Register & Pay Online or by Mail.Learn more
Lake Ontario Counties (LOC) Fall Trout and Salmon Derby
August 21-September 7, 2026
Help anglers celebrate the return of the mighty king salmon on Lake Ontario! Over $63,500 in cash and prizes, including a $20,000 Grand Prize for the largest salmon caught during this 18-day event. Sign up in local tackle shops or call (888) REEL-2-IN. You can also visit the LOC Derby website for more information and to register.
Reelin’ for a Cure (One-Day, Ladies-Only Event)
August 21, 2026
This 11th annual ladies-only 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. Learn more and sign up on the tournament’s website or call Stephanie at (716) 481-6388.
38th Annual NYPA Wildlife Festival
September 26, 2026 (Tentative)
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.
