Tournaments & Derbies
Reel in a big payday with a big catch in Niagara Falls USA!
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.
2018 Niagara Falls USA Competitions, Derbies and Events
Roger Tobey Memorial Niagara River Anglers Steelhead Contest
February 3, 2018: The Niagara River Anglers Association will be holding their winter steelhead classic at Lewiston Landing. Loads of fun. For information check out the NRAA website.
Greater Lewiston Smelt Festival
May 4, 2018: 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. More information here.
Lake Ontario Counties (LOC) Spring Trout and Salmon Derby
May 11 – 20, 2018: 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.
7th Annual Wilson Harbor Invitational Salmon Tournament
May 19, 2018: 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. More information here.
17th Annual Don Johannes Memorial Big Fish Contest and 12th Annual Pete DeAngelo Memorial Three-Fish Contest
May 31, 2018: 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. Call (716) 778-0713 for more info. $100 per boat. 100 percent cash pay out.
34th Annual Skip Hartman Memorial Lake Ontario Pro-Am Salmon Team Tournament
June 1 – 3, 2018: The tournament is back to two days with one day set aside in case of bad weather. Over $50,000 in cash and prizes last year. For more info call (877) FALLS US or log on to the tournament website for rules and sign up information. 100 percent payback of entry fees!
New York’s Free Fishing Days 2018
June 23 – 24: No license is required by anyone for these two days, resident or non-resident (although all the rules and regulations must be followed), in an effort to promoted this popular pastime. This is a great time to get the whole family on the water and see how much fun it can be.
Hooked On The Tonawandas Fishing Tournament
June 23 – 24: This 5th annual event is held out of Gateway Harbor in the Erie Canal during the Free Fishing Weekend. Catch the largest fish by weight for any of the five species – bass, walleye, northern pike, carp and perch. Over $3,500 in prizes. Visit the website or call (716) 628-1247.
9th Annual Lake Ontario Counties (LOC) Summer Derby
June 30 – July 29, 2018: Grand prize is $10,000 for biggest salmon. Weekly prizes for the divisions, $29,000 overall. Check out the website for all the details for this new summer event or call (888) REEL-2-IN.
28th Annual Erie Canal Fishing Derby
July 4 – 15, 2018: 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.)
15th Annual Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Assn. King Salmon Tournament
July 21, Olcott from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event offers 100 cash pay back. All participants must be LOTSA members. Deadline to register is July 17 at 6 p.m. July 20 is the Seventh Annual Curt Meddaugh Memorial Fishing Derby to remember an important LOTSA member. Free for anyone registered in the Saturday event.
Wilson’s Bi-Centennial Salmon and Trout Tournament
July 22, 2018. Based out of the port of Wilson, the town fathers are throwing a fishing tournament to commemorate 200 years of Wilson. For more information contact Mike Johannes at (716) 523-1727.
Orleans County Rotary Derby
August 4 – 19, 2018: 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 Slippery Sinker.
Reelin’ for a Cure Tournament
August 17, 2018: This 3rd annual ladies event will once again be held out of Olcott. It’s a great way to celebrate life and pay tribute to cancer survivors. Last year, $5,000 was raised for the Breast Cancer Network of WNY as 17 teams also competed for cash prizes. Call Stephanie at (716) 481-6388 and also log onto the event’s Facebook page.
Lake Ontario Counties (LOC) Fall Trout and Salmon Derby
August 17 – September 3, 2018: Over $66,000 in cash 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 to register.
42nd Annual Greater Niagara “Fall Classic” Derby – 2018: A Fish Odyssey
August 18 – 26, 2018: The journey continues with another great event set for 2018 – 42 years of derbies! Last year, over $15,000 in cash and prizes were handed out to winning anglers at the Olcott Fire Hall on awards night. Species categories included salmon, rainbow/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.
New York's Free Fishing Day
September 22, 2018: No license is required by anyone, resident or non-resident (although all the rules and regulations must be followed), in an effort to promoted this popular pastime. This is a great time to get the whole family on the water and see how much fun it can be.
32nd Annual NYPA Wildlife Festival
Sept. 22 – 23, 2018: 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 2017. Free admission.
New York's Free Fishing Day
November 11, 2018: No license is required by anyone, resident or non-resident (although all the rules and regulations must be followed), in an effort to promoted this popular pastime. This is a great time to get the whole family on the water and see how much fun it can be.