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 14-15, 2025 (Scroll down to page 3)
Youth Fishing Events in March
Check back often! Events will be updated as information becomes available:
Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Rocky River Reservation, South Mastick Picnic Area, Fairview Park, OH 44126
When: Saturday, March 29, 2025 [REGISTER]
Youth Fishing Events in April
FREE Fishing Workshop {Find Out More}
Where: Rockefeller Lagoon, 7 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr., Cleveland, OH 44106
When: Saturday, April 5, 2025 [REGISTER]
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 12, 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: Sunday, April 13, 2025
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 15, 2025
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 26, 2025 [REGISTER on-site for derby]
FREE Jack Cullen Memorial Trout Derby {Find Out More}
Where: St. Helena Heritage Park, Towpath Trail, 123 Tuscarawas St. NW, Canal Fulton, OH 44614
When: Saturday, April 26, 2025 [REGISTER]
Youth Fishing Events in May
Fishing Derby at South Central Park {Find Out More; Register}
Where: South Central Park, 7565 Avon Belden Rd., North Ridgeville, OH 44039
When: Saturday, May 3, 2025 [REGISTER]
FREE Kid’s Fishing Day {Find Out More • Register}
Where: North Park, 7660 Fulton Rd. NW, Massillon, OH 44646
When: Saturday, May 3, 2025 [REGISTER]
FREE Spring Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Route: Walker Road Park, 31621 Walker Rd., Avon Lake, OH 44012
When: Saturday, May 3, 2025 [REGISTER]
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 3, 2025 [REGISTER]
Arnie’s Anglers Kids Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Hidden Lake, North Entrance, 6850 Kniffen Rd., Leroy Twp., OH 44077
When: Saturday, May 10, 2025 [REGISTER]
FREE Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Boettler Park Pond, 5300 Massillon Rd., Green, OH 44720
When: Saturday, May 10, 2025
Westlake Recreation Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Recreation Center Pond, 28955 Hilliard Blvd., Westlake, OH 44145
When: Saturday, May 10, 2025 [REGISTER]
FREE Cops and Bobbers Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Petros Lake Park, 3519 Perry Dr. SW, Canton, OH, 44706
When: Monday, May 12, 2025 [REGISTER]
Family Fishing Day {Find Out More}
Where: Longwood Lake, 1566 E. Aurora Rd., Macedonia, OH 44056
When: Saturday, May 17, 2025 [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 17, 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, May 18, 2025
FREE Children’s Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation, 4524 E. 49th St., Cleveland, OH 44125
When: Sunday, May 18, 2025
Adapted Fantastic Fishing with Lake Metroparks {Find Out More}
Where: Lake Metroparks Farmpark, 8800 Euclid Chardon Rd., Kirtland, OH 44094
When: Thursday, May 22, 2025 [REGISTER]
FREE Cooks Lagoon Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Cook’s Lagoon, 1819 Mahoning Rd. NE, Canton, OH, 44705
When: Saturday, May 31, 2025 [REGISTER]
Youth Fishing Events in June
Modock Jr. Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: 14600 State Rd., North Royalton, OH 44133
When: Friday, June 6, 2025 [REGISTER ON-SITE]
FREE Youth Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Painesville City Kiwanis Recreation Park, 301 Latimore St., Painesville, OH 44077
When: Saturday, June 7, 20245
FREE Pep Tamargo Memorial Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Sippo Lake Park – East, 5300 Tyner St. NW, Canton, OH 44708
When: Saturday, June 7, 2025 [REGISTER]
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 Fishing with Friends {Find Out More}
Route: Walker Road Park, 31621 Walker Rd., Avon Lake, OH 44012
When: Wednesday-Saturday, June 11-June 26, 2025
FREE Fishing Fridays at Summit Metroparks {Find Out More}
Where: Summit Lake Nature Center, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, OH 44301
When: Friday, June 13, 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
FREE Family Fishing Day {Find Out More, then click on “2025 Summer Children Program List”}
Where: NJC Preservation Pond at the Norma Johnson Center, 3976 OH-39 NW, Dover, OH 44622
When: Saturday, June 14, 2025
Youth Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Sunny Lake South, 885 E. Mennonite Rd., Aurora, OH 44202
When: Saturday, June 14, 2025 [REGISTER]
FREE Gone Fishin’ at Summit Metroparks {Find Out More}
Where: Furnace Run Metro Park, Brushwood Area, 4955 Townsend Rd., Richfield, OH 44286
When: Sunday, June 15, 2025
FREE Catfish with Cops {Find Out More}
Where: Walborn Reservoir, 11324 Price St. NE, Alliance, OH 44601
When: Saturday, June 21, 2025 [REGISTER]
FREE Ranger Bass Tournament {Find Out More}
Where: Walborn Reservoir, 11324 Price St. NE, Alliance, OH 44601
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]
FREE Fishing Fridays at Summit Metroparks {Find Out More}
Where: Summit Lake Nature Center, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, OH 44301
When: Friday, June 27, 2025
Community Kids Fishing Day {Find Out More}
Where: Potts Pier, 3800 Chagrin River Rd., Moreland Hills, OH 44022
When: Saturday, June 28, 2025 [REGISTER]
Check back often! Events will be updated as information becomes available:
FREE Avon Lions Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Northgate Park, 2155 Eaton Dr., Avon, OH 44011
When: TBA for 2025 (No charge, but canned food donations for the CRS food pantry are welcome.)
FREE iHeart Radio Beach Festival + Kids Fishing {Find Out More}
Where: Pleasant Hill Lake Park, 3431 State Route 95, Perrysville, OH 44864
When: TBA for 2025
Ranger Bass Tournament {Find Out More}
Where: Walborn Reservoir, 11324 Price St. NE, Alliance, OH 44601
When: TBA for 2025 [REGISTER]
FREE Hooked on Fishing {Find Out More}
Where: Perry County Gun Club, 4999-4823 Town Hwy. 149, New Lexington, OH 43764
When: TBA for 2025
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: TBA for 2025
FREE Community Baby Shower & Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Silver Park, Main Pavilion, 2930 S. Union Ave. Alliance, OH 44601
When: TBA for 2025
