Youth Fishing Tournaments: Where to Take Your Kids Fishing in Northeast Ohio {2023}

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 17-18, 2023

Youth Fishing Events in Ashland County

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 10, 2023

Youth Fishing Events in Cuyahoga County

North Olmsted – FREE Try-It Fly Fishing (Casting) {Find Out More}
Where: Cottonwood Reserved Shelter at Rocky River Reservation, 24000 Valley Pkwy., North Olmsted, OH 44070
When: Sunday, May 4, 2023 [REGISTER]

Cleveland – FREE Family Fishing Workshop {Find Out More}
Where: Rockefeller Park Lagoon, Cleveland, OH 44106
When: Saturday, May 6, 2023 [REGISTER]

Independence – FREE Family Fishing {Find Out More}
Where: City of Independence Ohio Rec/Community Center, 6363 Selig Blvd., Independence, OH 44131
When: Saturday, May 13, 2023 [REGISTER]

Beria – FREE Children's Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Wallace Lake in Millstream Run Reservation, Berea, OH
When: Saturday, May 20, 2023

Cuyahoga Heights – FREE Children's Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation, 4524 E. 49th St., Cuyahoga Heights, OH 44125
When: Saturday, May 21, 2023

Bedford – FREE Youth Fly Fishing Day {Find Out More}
Where: Astorhurst Park at Bedford Reservation, 18753 Egbert Rd., Bedford, OH 44146
When: Thursday, June 8, 2023 [REGISTER]

North Royalton – Modock Jr. Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: 14600 State Rd., North Royalton, OH 44133
When: Friday, June 9, 2023

Youth Fishing Events in Geauga County

There are no events yet…keep checking back!

Youth Fishing Events in Lake County

Leroy – FREE Family Fishing {Find Out More}
Where: Hidden Lake, North Entrance, 6850 Kniffen Rd., Leroy Twp., OH 44077
When: Tuesday, April 11, 2023 [REGISTER]

Painesville – Go Fish! with Lake Metroparks {Find Out More}
Where: Blair Ridge Park, 5360 Blair Rd., Painesville, OH 44077
When: Wednesday, April 19, 2023 [REGISTER]

Leroy – FREE Family Fishing {Find Out More}
Where: Hidden Lake, North Entrance, 6850 Kniffen Rd., Leroy Twp., OH 44077
When: Monday, May 1, 2023 [REGISTER]

Leroy – Adapted Fantastic Fishing with Lake Metroparks {Find Out More}
Where: Hidden Lake, North Entrance, 6850 Kniffen Rd., Leroy Twp., OH 44077
When: Thursday, May 4, 2023 [REGISTER]

Painesville – Go Fish! with Lake Metroparks {Find Out More}
Where: Blair Ridge Park, 5360 Blair Rd., Painesville, OH 44077
When: Wednesday, May 10, 2023 [REGISTER]

Kirtland – Adapted Fantastic Fishing with Lake Metroparks {Find Out More}
Where: Lake Metroparks Farmpark, 8800 Euclid Chardon Rd., Kirtland, OH 44094
When: Wednesday, May 31, 2023 [REGISTER]

Painesville – FREE Youth Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Painesville City Kiwanis Recreation Park, 301 Latimore St., Painesville, OH 44077
When: Saturday, June 3, 2023

Youth Fishing Events in Lorain County

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 6, 2023 [REGISTER]

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 3, 2023

Avon – FREE Avon Lions Club Annual Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Northgate Park, 2155 Eaton Dr., Avon, OH 44011
When: Saturday, June 10, 2023

Avon Lake – FREE Fishing with Friends {Find Out More}
Where: Walker Road Park, 31621 Walker Rd., Avon Lake 44012
When: Wednesday-Saturday, June 14-July 29, 2023

Wellington – FREE 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 17, 2023

Youth Fishing Events in Mahoning County

There are no events yet…keep checking back!

Youth Fishing Events in Medina County

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 22, 2023 [REGISTER]

Youth Fishing Events in Portage County

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 15, 2023

Aurora – FREE Gone Fishin' at Summit Metroparks {Find Out More}
Where: Liberty Park, Tinkers Creek State Nature Preserve, 1230 Old Mill Rd., Aurora, OH 44202
When: Friday, April 21, 2023

Aurora – Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Sunny Lake South, 885 E. Mennonite Rd., Aurora, OH 44202
When: Saturday, June 17, 2023 [REGISTER]

Youth Fishing Events in Stark County

Alliance – FREE Greater Alliance Carnation Festival: Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Silver Park, 2930 S. Union Ave., Alliance, OH 44601
When: Sunday, August 6, 2023 [REGISTER]

Canal Fulton – FREE Jack Cullen Towpath Trail Trout Derby {Find Out More}
Where: St. Helena Heritage Park, 123 Tuscarawas St. NW, Canal Fulton, OH 44614
When: Saturday, April 29, 2023 [REGISTER]

Jackson Township – FREE Kid's Fishing Day {Find Out More}
Where: North Park, 7660 Fulton Rd. NW, Massillon, OH 44646
When: May 6, 2023 [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 13, 2023 [REGISTER ON-SITE]

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 20, 2023 [REGISTER]

Canton – FREE “Pep” Tamargo Memorial Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Sippo Lake Park-East, 5300 Tyner St. NW, Canton, OH 44708
When: Saturday, May 27, 2023 [REGISTER]

North Canton – FREE Mayor's Fishing Rodeo {Find Out More}
Where: Price Park, 1000 W. Maple St., North Canton, OH 44720
When: Saturday, June 3, 2023

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 10, 2023 [REGISTER ON-SITE]

Canton – FREE Summer Fest {Find Out More}
Where: Sippo Lake Park North, 5712 12th St. NW, Canton, OH, 44708
When: Saturday, July 8, 2023 [REGISTER]

Canton – Night Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Sippo Lake Park-East, 5300 Tyner St., Canton, OH, 44708
When: Friday, July 14, 2023

Alliance – Catfish with Cops {Find Out More}
Where: Walborn Reservoir, 11324 Price St. NE, Alliance, OH 44601
When: Saturday, July 29, 2023 [REGISTER ON-SITE]

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 6, 2023 [REGISTER]

Magnolia – Sandy & Beaver Canal Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Magnolia Flouring Mills, 261 Main St., Magnolia, OH, 44643
When: Saturday, August 12, 2023

Massillon – FREE Kids Fishing Day {Find Out More}
Where: Jackson North Park Pond, 7660 Fulton Dr. NW‎, Massillon, OH 44646
When: Saturday, May 6, 2023

Canton – Bob Meister Special Needs Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Sippo Lake Park-East, 5300 Tyner St., Canton, OH, 44708
When: Saturday, September 9, 2023 [REGISTER ON-SITE]

Youth Fishing Events in Summit County

Akron – FREE Trout Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Firestone Metro Park, Little Turtle Pond, 2400 Harrington Rd., Akron, OH 44319
When: Saturday, April 9, 2023

Richfield – FREE Gone Fishin' {Find Out More}
Where: Furnace Run Metro Park, Brushwood Area, 4955 Townsend Rd., Richfield, OH 44286
When: Saturday, May 6, 2023

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 6, 2023 [REGISTER]

Akron – FREE Kids Fishing {Find Out More}
Where: Summit Lake Nature Center, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, OH 44301
When: Wednesday, May 10, 2023

Akron – FREE Special Needs Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Firestone Metro Park, Little Turtle Pond, 2400 Harrington Rd., Akron, OH 44319
When: Saturday, May 13, 2023

Green – FREE Kid's Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Boettler Park, 5300 Massillon Rd., Green, OH 44720
When: Saturday, May 13, 2023

Macedonia – Family Fishing Day {Find Out More}
Where: Summit County – Longwood Lake, 1566 E. Aurora Rd., Macedonia, OH 44056
When: Saturday, May 20, 2023 [REGISTER]

Akron – FREE Gone Fishing {Find Out More}
Where: Munroe Falls Metro Park, Lake Area, 521 S. River Rd., Munroe Falls, OH 44262
When: Saturday, May 27, 2023

Akron – FREE Kids Fishing Open House {Find Out More}
Where: Summit Lake Nature Center, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, OH 44301
When: Sunday, May 28, 2023

Akron – FREE Juneteenth Celebration at Summit Metroparks {Find Out More}
Where: Summit Lake Nature Center, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, OH 44301
When: Monday, June 19, 2023

Akron – FREE Monroe Falls Fishing {Find Out More}
Where: Monroe Falls Metro Park, Lake Area, 521 S. River Rd., Munroe Falls, OH 44262
When: Wednesday, June 21, 2023

Akron – FREE Kids Fishing Open House {Find Out More}
Where: Goodyear Heights Metro Park, Pioneer Area, 550 Frazier Ave., Akron, OH 44305
When: Sunday, June 25, 2023

Streetsboro – FREE Gone Fishin' {Find Out More}
Where: Liberty Park, Tinkers Creek Area, 10303 Aurora-Hudson Rd., Streetsboro, OH 44241
When: Friday, June 30, 2023

Barberton – Fishing Derby @ Labor Day BBQ & Music Festival {Find Out More Here}
Where: Lake Anna Gazebo, 615 W. Park Ave., Barberton, OH 44203
When: September 1-3, 2023

Youth Fishing Events in Tuscarawas County

Mineral City – Wednesday Night Fun Fishing – Open Bass Fishing {Find Out More}
Where: Atwood Lake Park, 9500 Lakeview Rd., Mineral City, OH 44656
When: Wednesdays, May 3-September 13, 2023

Dover – FREE Family Fishing Day {Find Out More}
Where: Preservation Pond at the Norma Johnson Center, 3976 OH-39 NW, Dover, OH 44622
When: Saturday, June 17, 2023

New Philadelphia – FREE First Town Days: Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Tuscora Park Lake, 161 Tuscora Ave. NW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663
When: Tuesday, July 4, 2023

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 1, 2023

More Fun to Come…

Cleveland – FREE Kids Fish CLE {Find Out More}
Where: Voinovich Park, 800 E. 9th St. Pier, Cleveland, OH 44114
When: NOT HAPPENING IN 2023

Cuyahoga Heights – Fall Family Fishing Fest {Find Out More}
Where: Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation, 4524 E. 49th St., Cleveland, OH 44125
When: TBA for 2023

Middlefield – FREE Fish with MPD Cops {Find Out More}
Where: Bob Giardina Lake (Mineral Lake Park), 15881 Sperry Rd., Middlefield, OH
When: TBA for 2023

Canfield – FREE Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs {Find Out More}
Where: MetroParks Farm Trailhead, 7574 Columbiana-Canfield Rd., Canfield, OH 44406
When: TBA for 2023

Streetsboro – FREE School's Out: Gone Fishin' {Find Out More}
Where: Liberty Park, Tinkers Creek Area, 10303 Aurora-Hudson Rd., Streetsboro, OH 44241
When: TBA for 2023

Streetsboro – FREE Streetsboro Fishing Derby {Find Out More}
Where: Thomas Heritage Park, OH-303, Streetsboro, OH 44241
When: TBA for 2023 [REGISTER]

Hiram – Cops & Kids Fishing Day {Find Out More}
Where: 10776 Asbury Rd., Hiram, OH 44234
When: TBA for 2023

Louisville – FREE Fishing Fun at Constitution Park {Find Out More}
Where: Constitution Park (behind Dairy Queen), 1103 W. Main St., Louisville, OH 44641
When: TBA for 2023 [REGISTER]

Akron – FREE Fishing for Kids at Summit Metroparks {Find Out More}
Where: Gorge Metro Park, Main Entrance, 1160 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221
When: TBA for 2023

Akron – FREE Let's Fish Together at Summit Metroparks{Find Out More Here and Here}
Where: Summit Lake Nature Center, 411 Ira Ave., Akron, OH 44301
When: TBA for 2023