Looking for a fishing derby for the kids? You’re in luck because there are quite a few fishing derbies taking place across Northeast Ohio during the spring and summer months. The events give children the opportunity to learn how to fish and join in a friendly competition for a chance to win prizes.
So, dust off your rods and reels, grab a bucket of bait, and head to one of these events. Note that many require pre-registration.
Ohio’s Free Fishing Days
Over Father’s Day weekend, all residents of the State of Ohio can fish for free!
Free Fishing Days
Over Father’s Day weekend, Ohio residents can experience Ohio’s fantastic public fishing opportunities without purchasing a license. All size and bag limits apply during these two days. {Find Out More}
Where: Any body of water in Ohio
When: June 20 & 21, 2026 (Scroll down to page 3)
Youth Fishing Events in March
Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Rocky River Reservation, South Mastick Picnic Area, Fairview Park, OH 44126 (South Mastic Woods Picnic Area, immediately south of the Puritas Road bridge – a central location on the Rocky River)
When: Saturday, March 28, 2026 [REGISTER]
Youth Fishing Events in April
FREE Family Fishing Derby & Earth Day Event {Find Out More: Fishing Derby, Earth Day Event}
Where: Buffalo Creek Retreat, 8708 Hubbard Valley Rd., Seville, OH 44273
When: Saturday, April 25, 2026 [REGISTER on-site for derby]
FREE Jack Cullen Memorial Trout Derby {Find Out More}
Where: St. Helena Heritage Park, 123 Tuscarawas St. NW, Canal Fulton, OH 44614
When: Saturday, April 25, 2026 [REGISTER]
Youth Fishing Events in May
Spring Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Walker Road Park, 31621 Walker Rd., Avon Lake, OH 44012
When: Saturday, May 2, 2026 [REGISTER]
FREE Kid’s Fishing Day {Find Out More}
Where: North Park, 7660 Fulton Rd. NW, Massillon, OH 44646
When: Saturday, May 2, 2026 [REGISTER]
Fishing Derby at South Central Park {Find Out More}
Where: South Central Park, 7565 Avon Belden Rd., North Ridgeville, OH 44039
When: Saturday, May 2, 2026 [REGISTER]
FREE Spring Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Route: Walker Road Park, 31621 Walker Rd., Avon Lake, OH 44012
When: Saturday, May 2, 2026 [REGISTER]
FREE Hooked on Fun! Kids’ Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Heritage Barn, Silver Springs Park, 5238 Young Rd., Stow, OH 44224
When: Saturday, May 2, 2026 [REGISTER]
Adapted Fantastic Fishing with Lake Metroparks {Find Out More}
Where: Lake Metroparks Farmpark, 8800 Euclid Chardon Rd., Kirtland, OH 44094
When: Wednesday, May 6, 2026 [REGISTER]
FREE Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Boettler Park Pond, 5300 Massillon Rd., Green, OH 44720
When: Saturday, May 9, 2026
Arnie’s Anglers Kids Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Hidden Lake, North Entrance, 6850 Kniffen Rd., Leroy Twp., OH 44077
When: Saturday, May 9, 2026 [REGISTER]
FREE Cops and Bobbers Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Petros Lake Park, 3519 Perry Dr. SW, Canton, OH, 44706
When: Monday, May 11, 2026 [REGISTER]
Family Fishing Day {Find Out More}
Where: Longwood Lake, 1566 E. Aurora Rd., Macedonia, OH 44056
When: Saturday, May 16, 2026 [REGISTER]
FREE Annual Children’s Fishing Derbies {Find Out More}
Where:
– Wallace Lake, Berea, OH 44017
– Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation, 4524 E. 49th St., Cleveland, OH 44125
When:
– Wallace Lake: Saturday, May 16, 2026 [REGISTER]
– Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation: Sunday, May 17, 2026 [REGISTER]
FREE Canton Parks & Rec Youth Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Westbrook Park Pond, 13th St. & Harrison Ave. NW, Canton, OH 44708
When: Saturday, May 16, 2026 [REGISTER]
FREE Gone Fishin’ at Summit Metroparks {Find Out More}
Where: Munroe Falls Metro Park, Shady Shelter, 521 S. River Rd., Munroe Falls, OH 44262
When: Friday, May 29, 2026
Check back soon! Events will be updated for 2026 as information becomes available:
Westlake Recreation Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Recreation Center Pond, 28955 Hilliard Blvd., Westlake, OH 44145
When: TBA for 2026 [REGISTER]
FREE Youth Fishing Derby at Lake Anna {Find Out More}
Where: Lake Anna, 535 W. Park Ave., Barberton, OH 44203
When: Sunday, May 18, 2025
Youth Fishing Events in June
FREE Pep Tamargo Memorial Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Sippo Lake Park – East, 5300 Tyner St. NW, Canton, OH 44708
When: Saturday, June 6, 2026 [REGISTER]
FREE Youth Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Painesville City Kiwanis Recreation Park, 33 Mill St., Painesville, OH 44077
When: Saturday, June 6, 2026
FREE Fishing with Friends & Fishing with Families {Find Out More}
Where: Walker Road Park Reservoir, 31621 Walker Rd., Avon Lake, OH 44012
When: Wednesday-Saturday, June 10-July 25, 2026
FREE Fishing Friday at Summit Metroparks {Find Out More}
Where: Summit Lake Nature Center, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, OH 44301
When: Friday, June 12, 2026
FREE Gone Fishin’ at Summit Metroparks {Find Out More}
Where: Furnace Run Metro Park, Brushwood Area, 4955 Townsend Rd., Richfield, OH 44286
When: Friday, June 19, 2026
FREE Kids Fishin’ Derby at Summit Metroparks {Find Out More}
Where: Firestone Metro Park, Little Turtle Pond, 2400 Harrington Rd., Akron, OH 44319
When: Saturday, June 20, 2026
FREE Youth Fishing Rodeo {Find Out More}
Where: Cook’s Lagoon, 1819 Mahoning Rd. NE, Canton, OH 44705
When: Saturday, June 20, 2026 [REGISTER]
FREE Family Fishing Day {Find Out More}
Where: NJC Preservation Pond at the Norma Johnson Center, 3976 OH-39 NW, Dover, OH 44622
When: Saturday, June 20, 2026
FREE Drop In: Father’s Day Fishing at Summit Metroparks {Find Out More}
Where: Silver Creek Metro Park, Lake House Area, 5000 Hametown Rd., Norton, OH 44203
When: Saturday, June 21, 2026
FREE Special Needs Fishing Derby at Summit Metroparks {Find Out More}
Where: Firestone Metro Park, Little Turtle Pond, 2400 Harrington Rd., Akron, OH 44319
When: Tuesday, June 23, 2026
FREE Gone Fishin’ at Summit Metroparks {Find Out More}
Where: Liberty Park, Tinkers Creek Area, 10303 Aurora Hudson Rd., Streetsboro, OH 44241
When: Thursday, June 25, 2026
FREE Fishing Fridays at Summit Metroparks {Find Out More}
Where: Summit Lake Nature Center, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, OH 44301
When: Friday, June 26, 2026
FREE Ranger Bass Tournament {Find Out More}
Where: Walborn Reservoir, 11324 Price St. NE, Alliance, OH 44601
When: Saturday, June 27, 2025 [REGISTER]
Check back soon! Events will be updated for 2026 as information becomes available:
Modock Jr. Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: 14600 State Rd., North Royalton, OH 44133
When: Friday, June 6, 2025 [REGISTER ON-SITE]
Black River Game Club Youth Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Findley State Park, 25381 State Route 58, Wellington, OH 44090 (Pavilion at Picnic Point)
When: Saturday, June 7, 2025
FREE Special Fly Fishing Fridays with Firelands Fly Fishers {Find Out More}
Route: Walker Road Park, 31621 Walker Rd., Avon Lake, OH 44012
When: Saturdays, June 13, 20 & 27, 2025
Youth Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Sunny Lake Park, 885 E Mennonite Rd., Aurora, OH 44202
When: Saturday, June 14, 2025 [REGISTER]
FREE Cops ‘N Kids Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Bob Giardina Lake, 15872 Sperry Ln., Middlefield, OH 44062
When: Saturday, June 21, 2025 [REGISTER]
Young Anglers Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Findley State Park, 25381 State Route 58, Wellington, OH 44090 (Pavilion at Picnic Point)
When: Saturday, June 21, 2025
“Get Hooked on Fishing – Not on Drugs” Camp {Find Out More}
Where: Penitentiary Glen Reservation, 8668 Kirtland Chardon Rd., Kirtland, OH 44094
When: June 23-27, 2025 [REGISTER]
Community Kids Fishing Day {Find Out More}
Where: Potts Pier, 3800 Chagrin River Rd., Moreland Hills, OH 44022
When: Saturday, June 28, 2025 [REGISTER]
FREE Family Fishing Day {Find Out More}
Where: Rockefeller Lagoon, 7 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Cleveland, OH 44106
When: Saturday, June 28, 2025 [REGISTER]
Youth Fishing Events in July
FREE Fishing with Friends {Find Out More}
Where: Walker Road Park Reservoir, 31621 Walker Rd., Avon Lake, OH 44012
When: Wednesday-Saturday, until July 25, 2026
Sippo Lake Night Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Sippo Lake Park-East, 5300 Tyner St., Canton, OH, 44708
When: Friday, July 17, 2026 [REGISTER]
FREE Catfish with Cops {Find Out More}
Where: Walborn Reservoir, 11324 Price St. NE, Alliance, OH 44601
When: Saturday, July 25, 2026 [REGISTER]
Check back soon! Events will be updated for 2026 as information becomes available:
FREE Fishing with Friends {Find Out More}
Where: Walker Road Park, 31621 Walker Rd., Avon Lake 44012
When: Wednesday-Saturday, through July 26, 2025
FREE First Town Days: Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Tuscora Park Lake, 161 Tuscora Ave. NW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663
When: Friday, July 4, 2025
Fishing Derby at Wood’s Tall Timber Resort {Find Out More}
Where: Wood’s Tall Timber Resort, 1921 Tall Timber Rd NE, New Philadelphia, OH 44663
When: Saturday, July 5, 2025
FREE Summerfest {Find Out More}
Where: Sippo Lake Park North, 5712 12th St. NW, Canton, OH, 44708
When: Saturday, July 19, 2025 [REGISTER]
FREE Gone Fishin’ at Summit Metroparks {Find Out More}
Where: Firestone Metro Park, Little Turtle Pond, 2400 Harrington Rd., Akron, OH 44319
When: Sunday, July 20, 2025
FREE Family Fishing Day {Find Out More}
Where: Austintown Park, Pogany Pavilion, 6000 Kirk Rd., Canfield, OH 44406
When: Sunday, July 20, 2025
FREE Fishing with Friends {Find Out More}
Route: Walker Road Park, 31621 Walker Rd., Avon Lake, OH 44012
When: Wednesday-Saturday through July 26, 2025
Adapted Fantastic Fishing {Find Out More}
Where: Lake Metroparks Farmpark, 8800 Euclid Chardon Rd., Kirtland, OH, 44094
When: Thursday, July 31, 2025 [REGISTER]
Youth Fishing Events in August
FREE Richard Fry Memorial Catfish Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Magnolia Flouring Mills Pond, 261 Main St., Magnolia, OH 44643
When: Saturday, August 1, 2026 [REGISTER]
Check back soon! Events will be updated for 2026 as information becomes available:
FREE Gone Fishin’ at Summit Metroparks {Find Out More}
Where: Liberty Park Metro Park, Tinkers Creek Area, 10303 Aurora-Hudson Rd., Streetsboro, OH 44241
When: Saturday, August 2, 2025
FREE Greater Alliance Carnation Festival: Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Kidwell Lake in Silver Park, 2930 S. Union Ave., Alliance, OH 44601
When: Sunday, August 4, 2025 [REGISTER]
– 2025 Carnation Festival Dates: July 31-August 1-10, 2025
Family Fishing {Find Out More}
Where: Hidden Lake – South, 7024 Kniffen Rd., Leroy, OH, 44077
When: Thursday, August 7, 2025 [REGISTER]
Sandy & Beaver Canal Days Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Magnolia Flouring Mills, 261 Main St., Magnolia, OH, 44643
When: August 8-9, 2025
FREE Gone Fishin’ at Summit Metroparks {Find Out More}
Where: Munroe Falls Metro Park, Shady Shelter, 521 S. River Rd., Munroe Falls, OH 44262
When: Saturday, August 23, 2025
FREE Gone Fishin’ at Summit Metroparks {Find Out More}
Where: Firestone Metro Park, Little Turtle Pond, 2400 Harrington Rd., Akron, OH 44319
When: Sunday, August 24, 2025
Adapted Fantastic Fishing {Find Out More}
Where: Lake Metroparks Farmpark, 8800 Euclid Chardon Rd., Kirtland, OH, 44094
When: Wednesday, August 27, 2025 [REGISTER]
Youth Fishing Events in September
Bob Meister Special Needs Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Sippo Lake Park, 5300 Tyner St. NW, Canton, OH 44708
When: Saturday, September 12, 2026 [REGISTER]
Youth Fishing Events in October
Check back often! Events will be updated for 2026 as information becomes available:
FREE Fishing Workshop {Find Out More}
Where: Rockefeller Lagoon, 7 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr., Cleveland, OH 44106
When: TBA for 2026 [REGISTER]
FREE Recreation Open House at Summit Metroparks {Find Out More}
Where: Munroe Falls Metro Park, Lake Area, 521 S. River Rd., Munroe Falls, OH 44262
When: TBA for 2026
More Fun to Come…
Check back often! Events will be updated as information becomes available:
