2009 EVENTS

Feb. 19-22

Springfield Sportsmen’s Show

The Lake Ontario Sportfishing Promotion Council will be on-hand to tell New England anglers where to catch the big ones during this three-day event that’s hailed as the largest show in the Northeast! For more info, check out host Outdoor Sports Expo Group’s Web site: www.osegsportsmens.com.

The Eastern States Fairground, W. Springfield, Mass.

Mar. 5-8

World Fishing & Outdoor Expo

The Lake Ontario Sportfishing Promotion Council will explain why an upstate trip is a must to land a trophy fish. Rockland Community College will host this super sports show for the New York City metropolitan area. Visit www.sportshows.com/Suff_Main.html to learn more about the show.

SUNY Rockland Community College, Suffern, NY

Mar. 18-22

Cleveland Sport, Travel & Outdoor Show

It’s the Lake Ontario Sportfishing Promotion Council’s last stop on the show circuit before we hang the “Gone Fishin’” sign for the season. Stop by the LOSPC booth to learn more about one of the world’s greatest freshwater fisheries. Go to www.sportandtravel.com/cleveland/ for show details.

I-X CENTER, Cleveland Ohio

Lake Ontario Pro-Am Series tournaments

These tournaments attract the top anglers from around the Northeast.  It's starting to catch on in a big way and it's the perfect celebration to one of New York's greatest natural resources. Come share in the fun! Go to www.lakeontarioproam.net to learn more about the dates below.

Niagara County (Wilson-Olcott):  June 6 & 7
Orleans County (Oak Orchard/Point Breeze):  June 13 & 14
Oswego County (Oswego/Mexico):  July 11 & 12
Wayne County (Sodus Bay):  July 18 & 19

2009 Lake Ontario Fishing Competitions and Events

Roger Tobey Memorial Niagara River Anglers Steelhead Contest

February 21 ­– The Niagara River Anglers Association will be holding their winter steelhead classic at Lewiston Landing with entry fee set at $10 for member; $25 for non-members – but that includes your yearly membership. Loads of fun. For information check out their website at www.niagarariveranglers.com.

Lake Ontario Counties (LOC) Spring Trout and Salmon Derby

May 1-10 – This premier spring kick-off classic, offering a $12,500 Grand Prize for the largest trout or salmon caught overall, also sports over $30,000 in cash and prizes overall. For more information, call (888) REEL-2-IN or visit their website at www.loc.org. 

3^rd Annual Buffalo Sabres Alumni Spring Salmon Spectacular, June 4 – Being run out of Krull Park and the Town of Newfane Marinain Olcott, this is a special fishing celebration with the names that have helped to make the Buffalo Sabres a household word the past 40 years. Help raise money for local charities. Check out www.sabresalumni.com for all the details. 

25^th Annual Skip Hartman Memorial Lake Ontario Pro-Am Salmon Team Tournament June 6-7 – This prestigious fishing competition pits teams of anglers against one another using a unique scoring system over two days of fishing. Held out of the Niagara County ports of Wilson and Olcott, the local community also coordinates special events to make it a fun-filled weekend.  Last year, more than $60,000 was paid out in cash and prizes.  For more info call (877) FALLS US or log onto the tournament website at www.lakeontarioproam.net for rules and sign up information.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service “Fish and Wildlife Festival” at Hyde Park in Niagara Falls June 6 – This popular event will tentatively be held in Hyde Park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In conjunction with this event will be a kids fishing derby at Hyde Park Lake from 8 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Loads of displays, special activities and live entertainment. For more information contact USFWS at (716) 691-5456.

4^th Annual Point Breeze/Orleans County Pro-Am Salmon Team Tournament

June 13-14 – This fourth annual tournament will follow Niagara’s this year as the Lake Ontario Pro-Am series continues to expand. The Niagara/Orleans tournaments combine to form the West Challenge Cup. For more information, contact (585) 589-3103 or visit www.lakeontarioproam.net.

2^nd Annual Lake Ontario Counties (LOC) Summer Derby– June 20-July 19 – Grand prize is $7,500 for biggest fish. Check out their website for all the details for this new summer event at www.loc.org or call (888) REEL-2-IN.

Wagon Wheel Opening Day Bass Kick-off Classic

June 20 – This is the opening of the regular season for bass and it’s open to all waters in WNY. For more info contact the Wagon Wheel Restaurant at (716) 283-9861. You can also sign up at some area tackle shops in Niagara County.

New York’s Free Fishing Days 2009

June 27-28 – 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.  This is also the weekend that the Town of Newfane sponsors a kids fishing derby at the Town of Newfane Marina in Olcott.  Set for June 27 this popular kids' derby will be held from 8 a.m. to noon.  For more information, call (716) 778-8531.

Erie Canal Fishing Derby

July 7-19 – 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). For more information visit their website at www.eriecanalderby.com. (Bass is included.)

6th Annual Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Assn. King Salmon Tournament – July 18, Olcott, 6 a.m. to noon.  This event is based on $40 per boat with 100 cash pay back. All participants must be LOTSA members. Deadline to register is July 15 at 6 p.m. For more information, contact www.lotsa.org.

Orleans County Rotary Derby

August 1-16 – 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.

Lake Ontario Counties (LOC) Fall Trout and Salmon Derby

August 21– September 7 – Over $50,000 in cash prizes including a $20,000 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!  Cost is $25 for adults; $12 for kids under 16.  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.

33rd Annual AES/Greater Niagara “Fall Classic” Derby – A Fish Odyssey

September 19-27 – The journey continues with another great event set for 2009.

Last year, over $10,000 in cash and prizes were handed out to winning anglers at the New York Power Authority’s Wildlife Festival. Specie 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 www.fishodyssey.net or www.outdoorsniagara.com.