Where Fish Stories Begin
About The Walleye Derby
The alarm goes off long before sunrise. The coffee's hot, the rods are rigged, and somewhere out on Lake Erie, the fish you've been dreaming about is waiting. That's what keeps anglers coming back every fall, and it's exactly why we created The Walleye Derby.
We wanted more than another weekend event. We wanted a Lake Erie fishing tournament that gives you more time on the water, more chances to catch a trophy walleye, and more opportunities to make memories with the people who make every fishing trip worth it. Whether you're casting from shore, fishing from a kayak, or chasing giants from your boat, this is your chance to write the next great fish story.
Get Hooked On Leading Names
Sponsors of the Walleye Derby
One Fish Is All It Takes...
The Story Behind The Walleye Derby
The Walleye Derby wasn’t created in a conference room, it was built on docks, in bait shops, and on the back decks of boats where real Lake Erie stories are told. For years, our team has been behind some of the most well-known fall walleye events in Ohio, learning what anglers love, what they need, and what makes trophy season on Lake Erie unlike anywhere else in the country.
We’ve watched the shoreline fill with headlamps at midnight. We’ve seen kayakers land giants that shocked the weigh-in crowd. We’ve heard the cheers when a kid weighs the biggest fish of their life. Those moments, the ones that feel honest and unforgettable, are what shaped The Walleye Derby.
This Lake Erie fishing derby was built for anglers who live for the fall bite. For families who make memories on the water. For anyone who knows that the best stories don’t come from a single weekend… they come from a season.
Six weeks. One lake. Unlimited chances to hook the fish that becomes your next legend.
Fish When the Bite Is Right
Why Fish The Walleye Derby?
Trophy walleye season isn’t a two‑day window, it’s a stretch of cold fronts, moon phases, and perfect conditions only Lake Erie can deliver. The Walleye Derby lets you fish when the lake says it’s time, not when a calendar does.
With more than 100 million catchable walleyes in Ohio waters, fall is when the giants slide in, the shoreline comes alive, and every cast feels electric. Whether you’re grinding from shore, paddling a kayak, or running offshore for monsters, you’re fishing during the absolute peak of the season.
And yes, the prizes are big. We aren't just talking about bragging rights... although you'll definitely have those, too. One lucky angler will drive away with a fully rigged Warrior 238 boat package. Throw in massive cash payouts and side pots for Veterans, Women, Kids, Shore, and Kayak anglers, and there's no shortage of reasons to join The Walleye Derby. Of course, the biggest reward is the one you can't put a price on, the moment your rod loads up, your drag starts singing, and you realize you've hooked the fish everyone dreams about.
Catch the Right Crowd
Become a Sponsor
Put your business in front of thousands of passionate Lake Erie anglers, boat owners, outdoor enthusiasts, and families throughout the fall fishing season. Become a sponsor of The Walleye Derby and connect your brand with one of the fastest growing Lake Erie fishing tournaments.