May 2 - 11

Lake Ontario Counties (LOC) Spring Trout and Salmon Derby
This premier spring kick-off classic, offering a $10,000 Grand Prize for the largest trout or salmon caught overall, also sports over $30,000 in cash and prizes overall. Niagara County is still the place to be with more than 50 percent of the winners in the 2006 event coming from Niagara’s waters. Cost is $25 for adults; $12 for kids. Sign up for season pass for both spring and fall events for just $45. Weigh stations include The Boat Doctors and The Slippery Sinker, both in Olcott.; Gristmill in Youngstown; and the Gas Shack in the Wilson Boat Yard. For more information, call (888) REEL-2-IN or visit their website at www.loc.org.

May 23 - July 20

Lake Ontario Counties (LOC) Summer Derby
Grand Prize is $7500 for biggest fish. For more information, call (888) REEL-2-IN or visit their website at www.loc.org.

May 31 - June 1

24rd Annual Skip Hartman Memorial Lake Ontario Pro-Am Salmon Tournament
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. This year, that structure is already over $30,000 in cash, including a $10,000 first place prize package for the pros; $5,000 first place prize package for the amateurs (based on a minimum number of registrants). For more info call (877) FALLS US or log onto the tournament website at www.lakeontarioproam.com for rules and sign up information.

June 28 - 29

New York’s Free Fishing Days 2008
No license is required by anyone for these two days, resident or nonresident (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 as 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 24th, this popular kids derby will be held from 8 a.m. to noon. For more information, call (716) 778-8531

June 7

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

June 7- 8

3rd Annual Point BreezejOrleans County Pro-Am Salmon Team Tournament
This third annual tournament will kick off the circuit this year as the Lake Ontario Pro-Am series continues to expand. For more information, contact (585) 589-3103 or visit www.lakeontarioproam.com.

June 21

Wagon Wheel Opening Day Bass kick-off Classic June 21, 2008
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

July 8 - 20

Erie Canal Fishing Derby July 8-20, 2008
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.eriecanalderbv.com. (Bass is included.)

To be Determined

22nd Annual Niagara River Anglers Association Open Smallmouth Bass Classic
(To Be Determined)
Fishing takes place m Lake Erie, the Niagara River and in Lake Ontario for this fun contest. Cost is $25 per person, which includes a Cash Bash for $5. For more info contact niagarariveranglers.com for a registration form and rules.

August 2

Orleans County Rotary Derby August 2— 17, 2008
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.

August 15 - September 1

Lake Ontario Counties (LOC) Fall Trout & Salmon Derby
Over $50,000 in cash prizes including a $20,000 Grand Prize for one of 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 The following are the fishing license fees from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The Fees are valid until September 30, 2004.

September 20 - 28

32nd Annual Greater Niagara “Fall Classic” Derby - 2008: A Fish Odyssey September 20-28, 2008
The journey continues with another great event set for 2008. 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 trout, brown trout, small-mouth 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.

September 20 - 28

New York Power Authority 23rd Annual Wildlife Festival September 27-28,2008
A fun filled family event with lots of hands-on displays, live animals and shows. Held at NYPA’s Visitor’s Center in Lewiston (adjacent to Niagara University). Visit their website at www.nypa.gov or call (716) 286-6661 for more info.

For the Kids

Every year, there are numerous fishing competitions designed specifically for the kids. For example, the LOC and Fish Odyssey derbies have youth components to them. Check out the information above and find out the details for those respective competitions.

Here’s a few other youth competitions that are normally held every year:
June 21 - Wilson Kids Fishing Derby sponsored by the Wilson Conservation Club and area merchants. -

June 28 - Town of Newfane Kids Derby at the Town of Newfane Marina, Olcott from 8 a.m. to noon.

Other kids derbies will also be held at Hyde Park Lake in Niagara Falls in June; the Erie Canal at West Canal Marine Park in Pendleton in June; in Youngstown in conjunction with theft Community Fair in August; and in the Town of Niagara at their community in July.

Fishing Licenses

The following are the fishing license fees from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The Fees are valid until September 30, 2004.   NY Resident Non Resident One day fishing $15 $15 Seven day fishing $12 $25 Season fishing $19 $40 Fishing license sales are now computerized. The actual license is smaller and wallet size.