Youth Fishing Tournaments: Where to Take Your Kids Fishing in Northeast Ohio {2024}

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 out to one of these events. Note that many require pre-registration.

Ohio’s Free Fishing Days

Over Father’s Day weekend, in the State of Ohio, all residents 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 15-16, 2024

Youth Fishing Events in March

Leroy – Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Rocky River Reservation, South Mastick Picnic Area, Fairview Park, OH 44126
When: Saturday, March 30, 2024 [REGISTER]

Youth Fishing Events in April

Cleveland – FREE Fishing Workshop: Rainbow Trout {Find Out More}
Where: Rockefeller Pond, Cleveland, OH 44106
When: Saturday, April 6, 2024 [REGISTER]

Akron – 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, April 13, 2024

Akron – 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, April 16, 2024

Seville – FREE Family Fishing Derby & Earth Day Festival {Find Out More}
Where: Buffalo Creek Retreat, 8708 Hubbard Valley Rd., Seville, OH 44273
When: Saturday, April 20, 2024 [REGISTER on-site for derby]

Canal Fulton – 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 27, 2024 [REGISTER]

Youth Fishing Events in May

North Olmsted – Try-It Fly Fishing (Casting) {Find Out More}
NOTE: This program focuses on dry land casting. You will NOT cast in the water.
Where: Rocky River Reservation, Cottonwood Reserved Shelter, 24000 Valley Pkwy., North Olmsted, OH 44070
When: Thursday, May 2, 2024 [REGISTER]

North Ridgeville – Fishing Derby at South Central Park {Find Out More}
Where: South Central Park, 7565 Avon Belden Rd., North Ridgeville, OH 44039
When: Saturday, May 4, 2024 [REGISTER]

Jackson Township – FREE Kid’s Fishing Day {Find Out More}
Where: North Park, 7660 Fulton Rd. NW, Massillon, OH 44646
When: Saturday, May 4, 2024 [REGISTER]

Stow – FREE Stow Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Heritage Lake at Heritage Barn, 5238 Young Rd., Stow, OH 44224 (Young Rd. entrance to the park)
When: Saturday, May 4, 2024 [REGISTER]

Avon Lake – FREE Spring Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Route: Walker Road Park, 31621 Walker Rd., Avon Lake, OH 44012
When: Saturday, May 4, 2024 [REGISTER]

Cleveland – FREE Fishing Workshop: Bluegill & Catfish {Find Out More}
Where: Rockefeller Pond, Cleveland, OH 44106
When: Saturday, May 6, 2024 [REGISTER]

Canton – FREE Richard Fry Memorial Catfish Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Petros Lake Park, 3519 Perry Dr. SW, Canton, OH 44706 (south entrance)
When: Saturday, May 11, 2024 [REGISTER]

Green – FREE Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Boettler Park Pond, 5300 Massillon Rd., Green, OH 44720
When: Saturday, May 11, 2024

Richfield – FREE Gone Fishin’ at Summit Metroparks {Find Out More}
Where: Furnace Run Metro Park, Brushwood Area, 4955 Townsend Rd., Richfield, OH 44286
When: Saturday, May 11, 2024

Westlake – Westlake Recreation Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Westlake, OH 44145
When: Saturday, May 11, 2024

Macedonia – Family Fishing Day {Find Out More}
Where: Summit County – Longwood Lake, 1566 E. Aurora Rd., Macedonia, OH 44056
When: Saturday, May 18, 2024 [REGISTER]

Leroy – Arnie’s Anglers Kids Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Hidden Lake, North Entrance, 6850 Kniffen Rd., Leroy Twp., OH 44077
When: Saturday, May 18, 2024 [REGISTER]

Canton – 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 18, 2024 [REGISTER]

Cleveland – FREE Children’s Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: NEW LOCATION! Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation, 4524 E. 49th St., Cleveland, OH 44125
When: Sunday, May 19, 2024

Aurora – FREE Gone Fishin’ at Summit Metroparks {Find Out More}
Where: Liberty Park, Tinkers Creek, 1230 Old Mill Rd., Aurora, OH 44202
When: Saturday, May 25, 2024

Kirtland – Adapted Fantastic Fishing with Lake Metroparks {Find Out More}
Where: Lake Metroparks Farmpark, 8800 Euclid Chardon Rd., Kirtland, OH 44094
When: Thursday, May 30, 2024 [REGISTER]

Youth Fishing Events in June

Avon – FREE Avon Lions Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Northgate Park, 2155 Eaton Dr., Avon, OH 44011
When: Saturday, June 1, 2024 (No charge but canned food donations for the CRS food pantry are welcome.)

Canton – FREE Pep Tamargo Memorial Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Sippo Lake Park – East, 5300 Tyner St. NW, Canton, OH 44708
When: Saturday, June 1, 2024 [REGISTER]

Painesville – FREE Youth Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Painesville City Kiwanis Recreation Park, 301 Latimore St., Painesville, OH 44077
When: Saturday, June 1, 2024

Wellington – Black River Game Club Youth Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Findley State Park, 25381 State Route 58, Wellington, OH 44090 (Pavillion at Picnic Point)
When: Saturday, June 1, 2024

North Royalton – Modock Jr. Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: 14600 State Rd., North Royalton, OH 44133
When: Friday, June 7, 2024

Canton – FREE Cook’s Lagoon Children & Senior Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Cook’s Lagoon Park, 1819 Mahoning Rd. NE, Canton 44705
When: Saturday, June 8, 2024 [REGISTER]

North Olmsted – Try-It Fly Fishing (Casting) {Find Out More}
NOTE: This program focuses on dry land casting. You will NOT cast in the water.
Where: Sycamore Shelter at Rocky River Reservation, 24000 Valley Pkwy., North Olmsted, OH 44070
When: Saturday, June 8, 2024 [REGISTER]

Perrysville – FREE iHeart Radio Beach Festival + Kids Fishing {Find Out More}
Where: Pleasant Hill Lake Park, 3431 State Route 95, Perrysville, OH 44864
When: Saturday, June 8, 2024

Avon Lake – FREE Fishing with Friends {Find Out More}
Where: Walker Road Park, 31621 Walker Rd., Avon Lake 44012
When: Wednesday-Saturday, June 12-July 27, 2024

Cuyahoga – Youth 1-Day Fly Fishing Camp {Find Out More}
Where: Astorhurst Park at Bedford Reservation, 18753 Egbert Rd., Bedford, OH 44146
When: Thursday, June 13, 2024 [REGISTER]

Wellington – Young Anglers Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Findley State Park, 25381 State Route 58, Wellington, OH 44090 (Pavillion at Picnic Point)
When: Saturday, June 15, 2024

Wellington – Passport to Fishing {Find Out More}
Where: Findley State Park, 25381 State Route 58, Wellington, OH 44090 (Pavillion at Picnic Point)
When: Saturday, June 15, 2024

Streetsboro – Father’s Day Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Streetsboro/Cleveland SE KOA, 187 State Route 303, Streetsboro, OH 44241
When: Saturday, June 15, 2024

Alliance – Ranger Bass Tournament {Find Out More}
Where: Walborn Reservoir, 11324 Price St. NE, Alliance, OH 44601
When: Saturday, June 15, 2024 [REGISTER]

Moreland Heights – Community Kids Fishing Day {Find Out More}
Where: Potts Pier, 3800 Chagrin River Rd., Moreland Hills, OH 44022
When: Saturday, June 15, 2024 [REGISTER]

New Lexington – FREE Hooked on Fishing {Find Out More}
Where: Perry County Gun Club, 4999-4823 Town Hwy. 149, New Lexington, OH 43764
When: Saturday, June 15, 2024

Akron – FREE Father’s Day Fishing at Summit Metroparks {Find Out More}
Where: Firestone Metro Park, Little Turtle Pond, 2400 Harrington Rd., Akron, OH 44319
When: Sunday, June 16, 2024

Dover – FREE Family Fishing Day {Find Out More}
Where: NJC Preservation Pond at the Norma Johnson Center, 3976 OH-39 NW, Dover, OH 44622
When: Monday, June 17, 2024

Aurora – Youth Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Sunny Lake South, 885 E. Mennonite Rd., Aurora, OH 44202
When: Saturday, June 22, 2024 [REGISTER]

Kirtland – “Get Hooked on Fishing – Not on Drugs” Camp {Find Out More}
Where: Penitentiary Glen Reservation, 8668 Kirtland Chardon Rd., Kirtland, OH 44094
When: June 24-28, 2024 [REGISTER]

Akron – FREE Kid’s Fishing at Summit Metroparks {Find Out More}
Where: Silver Creek Metro Park, Boathouse Area, 5171 S. Medina Line Rd., Norton, OH 44203
When: Saturday, June 29, 2024

Akron – FREE Community Baby Shower & Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Silver Park, Main Pavilion, 2930 S. Union Ave. Alliance, OH 44601
When: Saturday, June 29, 2024

Youth Fishing Events in July

New Philadelphia – FREE First Town Days: Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Tuscora Park Lake, 161 Tuscora Ave. NW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663
When: Thursday, July 4, 2024

New Philadelphia – 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 6, 2024

Richfield – FREE Gone Fishin’ at Summit Metroparks {Find Out More}
Where: Furnace Run Metro Park, Brushwood Area, 4955 Townsend Rd., Richfield, OH 44286
When: Friday, July 12, 2024

Leroy Township – Adapted Fantastic Fishing with Lake Metroparks {Find Out More}
Where: Hidden Lake – Lake Metroparks, North Entrance, 7024 Kniffen Rd., Leroy Township, OH 2778
When: Thursday, July 18, 2024 [REGISTER]

Canton – Sippo Lake Night Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Sippo Lake Park-East, 5300 Tyner St., Canton, OH, 44708
When: Friday, July 19, 2024 [REGISTER]

Canton – FREE Summer Fest {Find Out More}
Where: Sippo Lake Park North, 5712 12th St. NW, Canton, OH, 44708
When: Saturday, July 20, 2024 [REGISTER]

Painesville – Fish All Day Camp {Find Out More}
Where: Jordan Creek Park, 7250 Alexander Rd., Painesville, OH 44077
When: July 22-26, 2024 [REGISTER]

Avon Lake – FREE Fishing with Friends {Find Out More}
Where: Walker Road Park, 31621 Walker Rd., Avon Lake 44012
When: Wednesday-Saturday, through July 27, 2024

Alliance – Catfish with Cops {Find Out More}
Where: Walborn Reservoir, 11324 Price St. NE, Alliance, OH 44601
When: Saturday, July 27, 2024 [REGISTER]

Kirtland – Fishing Expeditions Camp {Find Out More}
Where: Penitentiary Glen Reservation, 8668 Kirtland Chardon Rd., Kirtland, OH 44094
When: July 29-August 2, 2024 [REGISTER]

Youth Fishing Events in August

Cuyahoga – Youth 1-Day Fly Fishing Camp {Find Out More}
Where: Astorhurst Park at Bedford Reservation, 18753 Egbert Rd., Bedford, OH 44146
When: Thursday, August 1, 2024 [REGISTER]

Cleveland – FREE Fishing Workshop: Bluegill & Catfish {Find Out More}
Where: Rockefeller Pond, Cleveland, OH 44106
When: Saturday, August 3, 2024 [REGISTER]

Alliance – 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, 2024 [REGISTER]
– 2024 Carnation Festival Dates: August 1-11, 2024

Munroe Falls – FREE Gone Fishin’ at Summit Metroparks {Find Out More}
Where: Shady Beach Shelter, 521 S. River Rd., Munroe Falls, OH 44262 (Munroe Falls Metro Park)
When: Friday, August 9, 2024

Magnolia – Sandy & Beaver Canal Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Magnolia Flouring Mills, 261 Main St., Magnolia, OH, 44643
When: Saturday, August 10, 2024

Munroe Falls – FREE Gone Fishin’ at Summit Metroparks {Find Out More}
Where: Liberty Park, Tinkers Creek, 1230 Old Mill Rd., Aurora, OH 44202
When: Tuesday, August 13, 2024

Hiram – Cops & Kids Fishing Day {Find Out More}
Where: Camp Ashbury, 10776 Asbury Rd., Hiram, OH 44234
When: Saturday, August 17, 2024

Canton – Catfish with Cops {Find Out More • Facebook}
Where: Sippo Lake Park, 5300 Tyner St. NW, Canton, OH 44708
When: Saturday, August 24, 2024 [REGISTER]

Youth Fishing Events in September

Canton – Bob Meister Special Needs Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Sippo Lake Park, 5300 Tyner St. NW, Canton, OH 44708
When: Saturday, September 14, 2024 [REGISTER]

Monroe Falls – FREE Gone Fishin’ at Summit Metroparks {Find Out More}
Where: Munroe Falls Metro Park, 521 S. River Rd., Munroe Falls, OH 44262
When: Sunday, September 15, 2024

Youth Fishing Events in October

Cleveland – FREE Fall Family Fishing Fest {Find Out More}
Where: Along the Ohio and Erie Canal just down the hill from CanalWay Center
When: Saturday, October 12, 2024 [Registration will take place on the day of the event.]

Cleveland – FREE Fishing Workshop: Rainbow Trout {Find Out More}
Where: Rockefeller Pond, Cleveland, OH 44106
When: Saturday, October 16, 2024 [REGISTER]

Akron – FREE Gone Fishin’ at Summit Metroparks {Find Out More}
Where: Firestone Metro Park, Little Turtle Pond, 2400 Harrington Rd., Akron, OH 44319
When: Saturday, October 20, 2024