Dunkirk Walleye Festival

The City of Dunkirk and Primitive Patriot Outdoors are proud to announce the third annual Dunkirk Walleye Festival taking place on June 5 through June 7 on the city pier.

Professional walleye anglers will compete in the 6th Annual WNY Walleye Classic directed by Josh Larsen, tournament director, while the festival portion with food, craft and fishing gear vendors will be directed by Dunkirk Festivals.

The Primitive Patriot Outdoors WNY Walleye Classic, celebrating 6 years in operation with registration now available, will be the highlight of the festival.

New this year, Big Fish Friday is eliminated to make the event two days (Day 1 - Friday, June 5 and Day 2 – Saturday, June 6) of anglers catching 6 fish each day for a total of 12 fish over a two-day period with fishing from 6 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Anglers can now launch out of any port and fish on any New York waters of Lake Erie as long as coolers are returned to the Dunkirk Boat Launch check-in area by 3:30 p.m. sharp.

Presented by title sponsors Doc’s Tackle LLC, Lime Lake Marine & RV and VT Power and Lighting along with Ronald Viavada - Senior Financial Advisor of Merrill, A Bank of America Company and Vexus Boats, Smoker Craft Boats, Ranger Boats, Nitro Boats, Tracker Boats, Daniel Terhune - Century 21 Turner Brokers and Church Tackle, the tournament weather determinant make-up date is Sunday, June 7. The host hotel is the Clarion Hotel Conference Center.

Pro angler and National Walleye Tour Championship finalist, Craig Sleeman, will also conduct a free kid’s fishing clinic and tournament Sunday, June 7 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Dunkirk Pier. The winner of the tournament will win a guided fishing trip with Sleeman and also a winner’s plaque.