Tournaments & Derbies

Greater Niagara Fishing Expo
February 13-16, 2025
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 200 fishing education seminars and 100+ booths of fishing exhibitors.

LOTSA Salmon School at the Greater Niagara Fishing Expo
February 14-15, 2025
This highly acclaimed school, now in its 15th year, has become the premier Salmon School anywhere in the Great Lakes. The Salmon School is now sold out for 2025!

Lake Erie Walleye School at the Greater Niagara Fishing Expo
February 14-15, 2025
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 during early spring through late fall. Tickets are pre-sale only, and can be purchased here.

Birds on the Niagara
February 14-17, 2025
North America's only international bird festival, Birds on the Niagara highlights the intersection between birds, conservation and social justice. Enjoy various bird-related hikes, seminars and activities throughout the Niagara River Corridor. Find a complete schedule of events on the festival's Facebook page.

Roger Tobey Memorial Niagara River Anglers Steelhead Contest
April 2025 (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 their Facebook page.

Niagara County Bullhead Tournament
April 4-6, 2025
Entry fee is $10 for ages 13 and older, and free for ages 12 and under. Best 2 fish; weigh-in is the final day at the Wilson Conservation Club. For more information, contact Eric at (716) 628-6078.

Lake Ontario Counties (LOC) Spring Derby
May 2-11, 2025
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. 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.

11th Annual Wilson Harbor Invitational Salmon Tournament
May 17-18, 2025
The tournament is back for another battle of salmon seekers. Check out the Facebook page for the tournament details. Each day is a separate tournament, plus overall options. $1,000 a day and Salmon Slam options are set for May 10-18, 2025.

24th Annual Don Johannes Memorial Big Fish Contest and 15th Annual Pete DeAngelo Memorial Three-Fish Contest
May 29, 2025
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.

41st Annual Skip Hartman Memorial Lake Ontario Pro-Am Salmon Team
May 30-31, 2025
Back to a two-day event with a third day set aside for weather challenges. Over $40,000 in cash and prizes were awarded last year. For more information call (877) FALLS US or log onto the tournament website for rules and sign-up information. 100% payback of entry fees!

Lake Ontario Counties (LOC) Summer Derby
June 28-July 27, 2025
This month-long summer classic offers a grand prize of $15,000 for the biggest salmon, plus over $42,700 in cash and prizes. Weekly prizes for the divisions include $1,000 for salmon and $500 for trout. For more information, call (888) REEL-2-IN or visit their website.

22nd Annual Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association King Salmon Tournament
July 26, 2025
This event offers 100% cash pay back. All participants must be LOTSA members. The deadline to register is July 13 at 6 p.m. For more information, check out the LOTSA website. July 25 is the 15th Annual Curt Meddaugh Memorial Fishing Derby to remember an important LOTSA member. It is free for anyone registered in the Saturday event. For more information, check out the LOTSA website.

Reelin' for a Cure Tournament
August 15, 2025
This 8th 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. Call Stephanie at (716) 481-6388 or check out the Facebook page for more information.

50th Annual Greater Niagara Fall Classic Derby: A Fish Odyssey
August 15-24, 2025
The journey continues with another great event set for 2025 – 50 years of derbies! Last year, over $14,000 in cash and prizes were handed out to winning anglers at the NYPA Wildlife Festival 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 Greater Niagara Fish Odyssey on Facebook. Kids are free in a special youth division.

Lake Ontario Counties (LOC) Fall Derby
August 15-September 1, 2025
Celebrate the return of the mighty king salmon on Lake Ontario during this 18-day classic. Win a $20,000 grand prize for the largest salmon caught, plus over $63,500 in cash and prizes. For more information, call (888) REEL-2-IN or visit their website.

38th Annual NYPA Wildlife Festival
September 27, 2025 (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!