Registration is now available for the sixth annual WNY Walleye Classic presented by Primitive Patriot Outdoors. Pictured is last year’s Dunkirk Walleye Festival tournament weigh-in show on the Dunkirk Pier.

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 Dunkirk City Pier. The event is open to the public.

Professional walleye anglers will compete in the sixth 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, celebrating six 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 on Friday, June 5 and Day 2 on Saturday, June 6) of anglers catching six 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 U.S. 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 and Lime Lake Marine & RV, the tournament weather determinant make-up date is Sunday, June 8. 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 8 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.

Last year, 45 teams were registered with over 250 anglers and over $47,7600 was given in prize money. Sponsorship, vendor and volunteer opportunities are currently being accepted.

The mission of the tournament 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.

After the 5 p.m. weigh-in shows, both days will also feature live music on the stage from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Food, craft and fishing gear vendors will be on site both Friday from 2 to 7 p.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“This event has grown into one of the best tournaments on the eastern basin of Lake Erie and the goal is to give anglers a fun, yet competitive tournament, that promotes the sport, our city, and the entire community,” said Larsen.

“We strive to give the anglers what they want and show the public the best of our area’s walleye fisherman. We take pride that our fleet can trust us by having 100% transparency.” 

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