Fishing Tournaments in Greater Buffalo, NY-May to November, 2024.
Lake Ontario Counties (LOC) Spring Trout and Salmon Derby
May 3-12, 2024
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% of all the winning fish come from the waters off Niagara. For more information, call (888) REEL-2-IN or visit their website.
12th Annual Wilson Harbor Invitational Salmon Tournament
May 18-19, 2024
The tournament is back for another battle of salmon seekers. Check out Facebook for the tournament details. Each day is a separate tournament, plus overall options.
22nd Annual Don Johannes Memorial Big Fish Contest and 16th Annual Pete DeAngelo Memorial Three-Fish Contest
May 30, 2024
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 info. $100 per boat. 100% cash payout.
39th Annual Skip Hartman Memorial Lake Ontario Pro-Am Salmon Team Tournament
May 31-June 1, 2024 (Weather Day: June 2, 2024)
Back to a two-day event with a third day set aside for weather challenges. Over $40,000 in cash and prizes last year. 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 8 to 16, 2024- 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.
Free Fishing Days in New York – June 29 and 30
13th Annual Lake Ontario Counties (LOC) Summer Derby
June 29-July 28, 2024
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 19 -20, 2024– 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 (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 20. 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 26, 2024 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.
August 2 to 4, 2024, NCCC Walleye Derby-Dunkirk- Contact Zen Olow – 716-640-2776 (Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club)
Lake Ontario Counties (LOC) Fall Trout and Salmon Derby
August 16-September 2, 2024
Over $70,000 in cash and prizes, including a $25,000 Grand Prize for the largest trout or salmon caught during this 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 click here for more info or to register.
Reelin’ for a Cure Tournament (One Day Ladies-Only event)
August 16, 2024
This 7th 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. Call Stephanie at (716) 481-6388 or click here for more information.
August 17, 2024 – Innovative Outdoors Walleye Challenge-Dunkirk- $500 Entry. Contact Jim Steel, 716-481-5348. innovativeoutdoors.com.Learn more
49th Annual Greater Niagara “Fall Classic” Derby – A Fish Odyssey
August 16-25, 2024
The journey continues with another great event set for 2024 – 49 years of derbies! Species categories include 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 check out the Facebook page. Kids are FREE in a special youth division.
36th Annual NYPA Wildlife Festival
September 21-22, 2024
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. Free admission.
Free Fishing Days in New York State – September 28
Free Fishing Days in New York State- November 11
Last Year- no update available so far– if you have info -contact us at jbarton@sterlingww.com
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.
September 9 – 1-Day Walleye Derby on Lake Erie- $35 Entry, Southtowns Walleye, Tom Chiavetta- 716-208-4245.
2024- Past Events
Lake Erie Walleye School at the Greater Niagara Fishing Expo
February 15-18, 2024
Taught by highly-skilled educators and walleye anglers, this in-depth school is for the experienced walleye angler who wants to improve their walleye catch from Lake Erie. The Lake Erie Walleye School consists of seven hours of detailed instruction and activities throughout the Expo. Tickets are pre-sale only and can be purchased here.
Roger Tobey Memorial Niagara River Anglers Steelhead Contest
February 24, 2023 (Tentative)
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. Must be a member for $20. For information check out the NRAA Facebook page.
April 13 and 14, 2024- 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 last year was $25- all ages, kids under 12 receive a free fishing related gift.
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 12 to 14, 2024- Niagara County Bullhead Tournament. 5pm on April 12 to April 14 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.
April 20, 2024- One Day Perch Derby on Lake Erie, $35 Entry, Southtowns Walleye, 716-796-5372.
