Professional walleye anglers will compete in the fifth annual WNY Walleye Classic directed by Josh Larsen, tournament director, while the festival portion will be directed by Scott Mekus, Dunkirk Festivals event specialist.

The Primitive Patriot Outdoors WNY Walleye Classic will be the highlight of the festival consisting of two to five anglers weighing in their biggest six fish caught with top five payouts and top three biggest fish prizes Friday and Saturday.

Sponsored by Merrill Lynch – Ronald Viavada, Doc’s Tackle LLC, Lime Lake Marine & RV, Ahlstrom Schaeffer Electric, Century 21 – Daniel Terhune, Vexus, Smoker Craft Boats, Spike Dailey’s Irish Pub/Deli, Green Mountain Electric Supply, Primo Bait and Tackle, Soldier Solutions LLC, Shooter’s Warehouse, Demetri’s on the Lake and Monster Energy, the tournament consists of a Big Fish Friday event, the main event on Saturday and a kids’ day with a tournament weather determinant make-up date on Sunday.

The pier will be closed off to all traffic starting today from noon to Monday, June 9 late morning.

Last year, 45 teams were registered with over 250 anglers and over $47,760 was given in prize money.

The mission statement is to bring the outdoor community together through hosted events and various media sources in hopes to give our area an amazing weekend focusing on Lake Erie’s most sought-after species, walleye.

For Big Fish Friday, teams leave from whatever harbor they wish, but must return to Dunkirk by boat with cooler drop off by 3:30 p.m. and the weigh in show at 5 p.m. Scott Celani Band’s Tom Petty Tribute will provide musical entertainment from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The main event starts Saturday with boat checks at 5:30 a.m. followed by the shotgun start at 7 a.m. where teams will all race off to their fishing location. The community is encouraged to come watch as the roar of 40 plus boats race off along the shores of Lake Erie.

Cooler drop off is by 3:30 p.m. proceeded by the weigh in show at 5 p.m. The biggest fish are weighed last to enhance the buildup of excitement to announce the winners and overall champion that day.

The Committed band will play from 1 to 3 p.m. The West of the Mark will take the stage from 7 to 10 p.m. to perform live ’90s country music.

Food, craft and fishing gear vendors will be on site both Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both days with some staying open on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. depending on tournament demand.

A kids’ fishing clinic and tournament will take place Sunday starting at 8 a.m. Pro angler and National Walleye Tour Championship finalist, Craig Sleeman, will conduct the event. The winner of the tournament will win a guided fishing trip with Sleeman and also a winner’s plaque.

“Our tournament is not just the fastest growing tournament on Lake Erie in New York, but was voted by peers as one of the best run tournaments in our area,” according to Larsen.

“I would like to encourage the entire community to come watch the exciting weigh in show as well as the bands so that we can continue this festival for years to come.”

The goal is to build a professional tournament that anglers and the public can enjoy while we take pride in providing a fair, transparent, and professional experience for our anglers in the City of Dunkirk.

Discounted hotel rooms through the Clarion Hotel on Lake Shore Drive can be reserved by calling (716) 366-8350 and ask for Dunkirk Walleye Festival room block.

To register for the upcoming WNY Walleye Classic as an angler, visit www.primitivepatriotoutdoors.com or call Larsen at (716) 490-4226. Vendor and event sponsorship questions can be referred to Mekus at (716) 366-9848 or smekus@cityofdunkirk.com.