Tournaments & Derbies

Greater Niagara Fishing Expo
February 15-18, 2024
Join us at the annual Greater Niagara Fishing Expo at the Niagara Falls Convention Center in Niagara Falls, NY. This pure fishing show and expo offers over 300 hours of fishing education and 100+ booths of fishing exhibitors.

LOTSA Salmon School at the Greater Niagara Fishing Expo
February 15-18, 2024
This highly acclaimed school, now in its 14th year, has become the premier Salmon School anywhere in the Great Lakes. The LOTSA Salmon School consists of almost 11 hours of instruction and activities throughout the Expo. Tickets are pre-sale only and can be purchased here.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.