Hundreds of walleyes were measured for weight at multiple weigh stations across our Lake Erie border from Buffalo to Erie, Pa. The tournament ran from June 7-15, on the waters of Lake Erie and the Upper Niagara River with more than $75,000 in cash and prizes at stake. Anglers throughout Western New York and multiple nearby states participated in the search for a walleye worthy of the top prize.

The Derby concluded one week after the last day of the tourney, with an awards picnic held at the STWA Clubhouse on June 22. More than 150 people were in attendance. The main prizes were awarded for the heaviest fish by weight.

Top honors/cash/prizes for the winners went to the following adult and youth participants in each division. Adult Winners 2025:1st – Karl Clapp – 9.88 lbs; 2nd – Luke Goodberry – 9.52 lbs; 3rd – Albert Raro – 9.42 lbs; 4th – Chad Beyer – 9.41 lbs; 5th – Jeremy Wilson – 9.32 lbs; 6th – James Burke – 9.26 lbs;7th – John Woelfe – 9.20 lbs; 8th – Richard Misner- 9.20 lbs; 9th – Michael Minter – 9.06 lbs;10th – Mark McMahon – 8.91 lbs. 1st place Karl Clapp was awarded $5,250 for his big fish; Luke Goodberry won $15,296; and Albert Raro won $7,612.50.

The differences in the cash value are based on the Calcutta registrations that not all anglers signed up for. Other STWA winners were awarded cash and gear prizes too numerous to mention.

Photo provided by the Southtowns Walleye Association of WNY First-place adult division winner, Karl Clapp from Lancaster, took home the trophy and lots of cash for the largest walleye of the Southtowns Walleye Association nine-day contest, with his 9.88-pound walleye. There were 308 fish weighed in; Clapp caught the largest fish among more than 450 anglers.

Youth Winners 2025: 1st – Adam Goodberry – 7.67 lbs; 2nd – Lucas Dusenbury – 7.34 lbs; 3rd – Joshua Dabolt- 6.86 lbs; 4th – Gabby Rizzo- 6.65 lbs; 5th – Bentley Geedy- 6.60 lbs; 6th – Claire Nowak- 6.49 lbs; 7th – Wyatt Simonick – 6.33 lbs; 8th – Landon Duffy- 6.33 lbs; 9th – Landon Smith- 6.13 lbs; 10th – Emma Ballesteros – 6.04 lbs. Each junior winner took home a rod/reel prize. Additional awards to youth winners: 1st place, Adam Goodberry, $250 David Goodberry Memorial Prize; 2nd place, Lucas Dusenbury, $150 gift certificate; 3rd place, Josuah Dabolt, $100 gift certificate.

2025 Derby Lure Winner: David Matyas – 7.59 lbs, and the Lakeshore Hardware Youth Lifetime License Winner is Adam Goodberry – 7.67 lbs.

In addition, cash awards of $750 a day were awarded for the biggest walleye caught each day, and there were thousands of dollars awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the 4-day and 9-day Calcutta events, totaling tens of thousands of dollars. This contest is a 1-fish, biggest fish contest, and being lucky helps. I believe this STWA annual walleye tournament is the largest amateur walleye contest in the country.

The Southtowns Walleye Association of Western New York, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving fishing opportunities in the region for all individuals. With a clear focus on kids, community, conservation, and philanthropy, the various STWA programs support these pillars for a strong future generation of outdoorsmen and women and our Lake Erie fishery. To learn more about the club, please visit www.southtownswalleye.com or stop by the clubhouse facility located at 5895 Southwestern Boulevard, Hamburg, NY, 14075; telephone: 716-649-8202.

Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. and are open to the public. Accolades for their patience and management skills to co-chairmen Brian Plecas and Jim Skoczylas, as well as all their team of dedicated member volunteers.

Fishing a walleye tournament is not for beginners, but many first-time walleye anglers fishing from a boat with a friend were beginners; they won cash and prizes at the STWA walleye contest. We all need to start to learn about fishing from somewhere.

FREE FISHING DAYS THIS WEEKEND

Note that the DEC designates several days throughout the year as free fishing days, which allow anyone to fish recreationally, without a freshwater license in New York State. Saturday, June 28, and Sunday, June 29 are designated as free fishing days for residents and non-residents of New York. Even though a license is not needed, fishing regulations still apply. Hop online and visit the NYSDEC home page to learn more about where to go fishing and to discover details on what to do. Many downloads exist, including a mobile app for Apple or Android users.

This Saturday the 32nd Lew Mead Annual Memorial Kids Fishing Derby at the Cassadaga Lakes will be a community affair. The event will kick off at the NYSDEC boat launch site on Dale Road at Middle Cassadaga Lake. Registration begins at 7 a.m. An adult must accompany all kids; they can start fishing once they are signed in. Tell the kids to bring their own fishing gear. They must return to the registration site to have their fish measured and weighed for prize consideration. The deadline for fish entries is 11:30 a.m., with the awards to follow.

“The youth age groups are separated into 7 years and under, 8-10 years old, 11-13 years old, and 14-16 years old,” Co-Chairman Dave Rowley said. “There are trophies and merchandise prizes planned, with a hot dog and beverage lunch for the kids.”

Teaching kids to fish is so much more than just recreation; it’s about creating future stewards for the environment. Consider bringing youth that you know to attend this event; it all starts with us older folks. Contact Steve Wickmark to volunteer or to donate a prize for the event at 716-595-2900 or email swickmark@netscape.net.

Gotta love the outdoors.

Outdoor Calendar June 27: WNY Heroes Day (Dunkirk), Contact Jim Steel; 716-481-5348; https://wnyheroes.org/.

June 28: Lew Mead Memorial Kids Memorial Fishing Derby, 16 and under, no fishing license required for adult help, Dale Road Boat Launch is registration site, starts at 7 a.m., Derby at 11 a.m. with weigh-in. Info: Steve Wickmark, 716-595-2900.

June 28-29: NYS Free Fishing Days, no license needed to fish for residents and non-residents.

June 30, July 7, 14, 21, 28: Youth Archery Clinic, 10-15 yrs of age, Hawkeye Bowmen, 5-week program, 6-8:30 p.m., 13300 Clinton St., Alden, NY; Info: Mike, 716-481-2161. $10 one-time fee for all classes.