Each fishing group is working harder to emphasize sustainability, and many contests endorse the cutting-edge technology that has transformed fish-finding and fish-catching. Anglers use forward-facing sonar, artificial intelligence-oriented fish-finders, and even drones to enhance fishing strategies.

These innovations provide real-time feedback on fish behavior and underwater structure – anglers learn as they fish each day, eventually allowing for more precise lure placement and improved selective catch rates.

Add to that the growing focus on sustainable fishing practices within some tournaments. One such practice is “catch, photograph and release (CPR),” where anglers catch a fish, take a photo, transmit it via the internet to tournament HQ, and then release it back into the water. This helps fish populations remain healthy.

Some of these types of tournaments incorporate live streaming and real-time scoring systems, allowing for a regional and global audience. Fans and angler families can follow competitions closely from wherever they are. Biodegradable baits exist now, too, to maximize fish attraction and minimize environmental impact.

Modern fish finders provide boat speed, course, heading, depth, water temperature, GPS position, sonar images of baitfish schools and gamefish, and more.

Plus, fishing tournaments are becoming more inclusive, with events catering to diverse participants, including youth, veterans, and groups with disabilities. Such events foster community engagement and support.

Tournaments attract anglers to travel to popular destinations for unique fishing experiences and specialized fishing styles. Chautauqua County is one of those special destinations.

Following this introduction, please take note with your calendar in hand of this conservative, condensed list of 23 Chautauqua County fishing competitions planned for 2025. There are others.

May 3: PERCH, 1-Day Perch Derby, L. Erie, $40 entry, Southtowns Walleye, Paul Sanchez, 716-228-6520; May 10: WALLEYE, Chautauqua Lake Bassmasters 2025 Walleye Open, 6 p.m. to midnight, Long Point Boat Launch; $100 entry. Tournament Director: 716-708-0330; May 25: CRAPPIE, Chautauqua Lake Bassmasters 2025 Crappie Open Tournament, 6:30 a.m.to 2:30 p.m., Lakewood Dog Park Boat launch, two adults/one child allowed per boat, $100 entry per boat, tournament director, 716-708-0330; June 6-8: WALLEYE, WNY Walleye Classic/ Dunkirk Walleye Festival 2025, $500 entry, Josh Larsen, 716-490-4226. https://www.primitivepatriotoutdoors.com/wny-walleye-classic; June 7-15: WALLEYE, 41st annual nine-day Southtowns Walleye Tournament, $100 entry, $100k prizes. Jim Skoczylas, 716-796-5372. Visit https://www.southtownswalleye.com/; June 15: BASS, Chautauqua Lake Bassmasters 2025 Father’s Day Bass Open Tournament, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., Prendergast Boat Launch, two adults/one child allowed per boat, $100 entry includes Big Bass payout, tournament director, 716-708-0330; June 21-22: MUSKY, NY Musky, Chautauqua Lake Showdown, launch site TBD, Region 3 Chapter Challenge, 585-287-7578; June 27: WALLEYE, WNY Heroes Day (Dunkirk), contact Jim Steel, 716-481-5348, visit https://wnyheroes.org/; June 28-Aug.10: WALLEYE, NY Walleye Derby 2025, registration deadline June 21, Jim Steel, 716-481-5348, www.newyorkwalleyederby.com; July 12-13: WALLEYE, Walleye Duel in Dunkirk, Dunkirk Pavilion – new location, $500 entry, three-fish bag/ two days, captain’s meeting on July 11, Mark Mohr, 716-998-9871; July 17-20: WALLEYE, Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot-Out 2025, $500 entry, $500K prizes, six-fish bag/day,one-day major contest, Don Ruppert, 716-435-4137, www.walleyeshootout.com/; July 20: BASS, Chautauqua Lake Bassmasters 2025 Summer Open, Bass for Cash, 6 a.m to 2 p.m., Prendergast boat launch, $200 entry includes Big Bass Payout, tournament director, 716-708-0330; July 26-27: ARCHERY, NYS Archery Shooters Association (ASA) Federation Championship, Bear Lake Rod & Gun. Info: Rudy Abersold, 716-397-9717; Aug 1-2: WALLEYE, 20th annual Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club Walleye Tourney, Dunkirk Harbor; three fish bag/day, twodays; contact Chris Surma: csurmy@yahoo.com, captains meeting, July 31 at NCCC; Aug 5: WALLEYE, VIP Day 2025 (Dunkirk), ELECBA / CCVB event, contact ELECBA president Capt. Jim Steel at 716-481-5348. Meet/Greet Aug. 4 evening; Aug 7-8: WALLEYE, Cabela’s National Walleye Tour event, Dunkirk Harbor, professional angler TV event. Weigh-in events are open to the public; Aug 15-16: WALLEYE, Innovative Outdoors Walleye Challenge (Dunkirk), $500 entry, Jim Steel, 716-481-5348. https://innovative-outdoors.com/; Aug. 17: BASS, Chautauqua Lake Bassmasters 2025 Bass for Cash Open II, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., Prendergast Boat Launch. $200 Entry, tournament director, 716-708-0330; Aug 22-23: WALLEYE, WNY Walleye Assoc., Lake Erie Walleye Tournament, $250 entry, Fish Donkey format, Rick Malik, 716-548-8219 or Ron Kucinski, 716-545-5925; Sept. 13: MUSKY, NY Musky, Chautauqua Lake Big-Baller Tourney, Casting Only. No FFS. 585-287-7578; Sep 13: WALLEYE, WNY Walleye Assoc.; 1st Responders/ Veterans Day of Fishing, Lake Erie; Rick Malik: 716-548-8219 or Steve Haak: 716-225-0229; Sept. 20: WALLEYE, one-day Walleye Derby, Lake Erie, $45 entry, Southtowns Walleye, Paul Sanchez, 716-228-6520; Oct. 5: BASS, Chautauqua Lake Bassmasters 2025 Fall Bass Open, 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., boat launch TBD, $100 entry, tournament director, 716-708-0330. Visit https://www.tourchautauqua.com/events/category/fishing-tournaments for updated competitions to the area. The list is ever-growing, providing a significant boost for the local economy.

Gotta love the outdoors.

CALENDAR

April 19: Wild Animal Archery Shoot, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., $15/person, kids free, Hawkeye Bowman, 13300 Clinton St., Alden, New York,; hawkeyebowmen@yahoo.com.

April 24: NYSDEC Lake Erie Angler Outreach meeting, 6-9:30 p.m., Woodlawn Beach State Park Lodge, Blasdell, New York..

April 28: Chautauqua County Federation of Sportsmen annual banquet and fund-raising dinner, Lakewood Fish & Game. For tickets, call Frank Shoenacker, 585-406-5764.

NOTE: Send Calendar info or related outdoor news to forrestfisher35@yahoo.com.