Tournaments & Derbies
Reel in a big payday with a big catch in Niagara Falls USA with a plethora of fishing tournaments and derbies.
From fishing competitions, derbies and special events, Niagara Falls USA is the place to be to enjoy this popular outdoor angling adventure and earn some extra cash. Sign up today for one or all of these fishing derbies taking place this year in Niagara Falls USA.
2020 Niagara Falls USA Fishing Competitions, Derbies and Events
January 17–19, 2020: Greater Niagara Fishing and Outdoor Expo
Conference and Event Center Niagara Falls, 101 Old Falls St., Niagara Falls
Over 120 seminars from 70 different speakers. Great educational event! Learn more.
January 18, 2020: LOTSA Salmon School at the Greater Niagara Fishing and Outdoor Expo
Conference and Event Center Niagara Falls
This full-day workshop sells out so register early. Speakers this year will be Captains Pete Alex, Matt Yablonsky and Andy Bliss.
February 22, 2020: Roger Tobey Memorial Niagara River Anglers Steelhead Contest
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.
February 15–16, 2020: 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.
May 8–17, 2020: 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.
May 1, 2020: Greater Lewiston Smelt Festival
The highlight is the Friday night Smelt Dip and Fry conducted by the Niagara River Anglers Association on the waterfront starting at 5 p.m. This event is free to the public. Learn more here.
May 16, 2020: 9th Annual Wilson Harbor Invitational Salmon Tournament
The tournament is back for another battle of salmon seekers. $1500 entry fee includes Big Fish and a one day-six fish big bucks tournament during prime time for spring fishing. Grand prize for a full field will be $25,000. Learn more here.
June 4, 2020: 19th Annual Don Johannes Memorial Big Fish Contest and 14th Annual Pete DeAngelo Memorial Three-Fish Contest
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 Slippery Sinker, The Boat Doctors or The Gas Shack in Wilson. $100 per boat. 100 percent cash pay out. Call (716) 778-0713 for more info.
June 5–6, 2020: 36th 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 info call (877) FALLS US or log onto the tournament website at for rules and sign up information.
June 27–July 26, 2020: 11th 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.
June 27–28, 2020: 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.
July 16–26, 2020 (tentative): 30th Annual Erie Canal Fishing Derby
The Erie Canal is spotlighted for this family-oriented fishing competition offering up more than $8,000 in prizes. Eligible waters include from the Niagara River to the Main Street Bridge in Albion (Route 98) – 50 miles of waters. For more information visit their website. (Bass is included.)
July 18, 2020: 17th 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. Deadline to register is July 15 at 6 p.m. Also, July 17 is the 9th 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 1–15, 2020: Orleans County Rotary Derby
Fish Lake Ontario and tributaries from the Niagara River to the Genesee River for salmon and trout. For more information call (585) 589-9881. Olcott does have a weigh station in this local derby, located at The Boat Doctors.
August 21–September 7, 2020: 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 at www.loc.org for more info or to register.
August 21, 2020: 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 $13,000 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.
August 22–30, 2020: 44th Annual Greater Niagara “Fall Classic” Derby – 2020: A Fish Odyssey
The journey continues with another great event set for 2020 – 44 years of derbies! Last year, over $14,000 in cash and prizes were handed out to winning anglers at the Newfane Community Center on awards night. 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.
September 26–27, 2020: 34th 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. Over 10,000 in attendance in 2019. Free admission.
Sept. 26, 2020: 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.
Nov. 11, 2020: 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.