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Inside Our Walleye Tournament in NY: Rules, Weigh-In and What to Bring
Updated: Oct 21
Updated for the 2027 season. Tournament date: Saturday, May 15, 2027 (tournament weekend May 14–16).
Our walleye tournament in NY runs every May at Rivers Crossing Campground & Marina in Savannah, on the Clyde River. It's a one-day walleye fishing tournament in the Finger Lakes region: lines in at 7am, weigh-in by 12:30pm, and the rest of Saturday for the campground, with karaoke to close out the night. Registration is $20 per person, and there are two ways to win: the largest fish, and the most total weight of live fish.
If you're thinking about entering, here's how the weekend runs, what the rules are, and what to bring.
What Does the Tournament Weekend Look Like?
The tournament itself is Saturday morning, but it's part of a full weekend at the campground. Here's the 2027 schedule.
Day | Time | What's happening |
Friday, May 14 | 8:00 pm | Bingo |
Saturday, May 15 | Tournament check-in | |
Saturday | 7:00 am | Walleye tournament starts |
Saturday | 10:00 am | Bounce house |
Saturday | 11:00 am | Kids' craft |
Saturday | By 12:30 pm | Weigh-in |
Saturday | 2:00 pm | Dice roll game (starts and ends at the pavilion) |
Saturday | Winners announced | |
Saturday | 8:00 – 11:00 pm | Karaoke with DJ Jake |
Sunday, May 16 | Morning | Pack up and head home |
What time do I check in, and when does fishing end?
Fishing starts at 7am Saturday, and your fish must be weighed in by 12:30pm. Plan to have your boat in the water and your gear sorted before 7, so a Friday arrival makes the morning a lot easier.
When and where is the weigh-in?
Weigh in by 12:30pm Saturday. Bring your fish in alive, since the total-weight category counts live fish only, and leave yourself time to get back to the dock before the cutoff.
What Are the Tournament Rules?
Here's the short version. Full rules are handed out at check-in.
Is it individual or team, and how many people per boat?
Registration is $20 per person either way, so every angler in the boat registers.
What's the entry fee and payout?
The entry fee is $20 per person. Prizes go to the angler or team with the largest walleye and to the one with the most total weight of live fish.
Walleye only, or other species?
It's a walleye tournament, and both scoring categories are for walleye. If you hook a bass or a catfish along the way, it doesn't count toward your score, but you're welcome to keep fishing.
Size and number limits, and is it catch-and-release?
State law comes first. The Clyde River and Erie Canal up to Lock 26 have a special walleye rule: an 18-inch minimum length and a daily limit of 3 per angler, with the season opening May 1. Any walleye you bring to the scale has to be legal under that rule. DEC has proposed changes to some walleye regulations, so check the current rules before tournament day.
The total-weight category counts live fish only, so plan on a working livewell.
For the full list of species and limits on this stretch of water, see our guide to fishing the Clyde River.
What Do I Need to Bring?
A New York fishing license for every angler 16 and older (more below)
Your boat, fueled and ready the night before, with a working livewell
Your registration fee: $20 per person
Rods, tackle and bait or lures for walleye. Our camp store stocks bait and our exclusive Yaleye hand-crafted walleye lures.
A measuring board so you know a fish is legal (18 inches) before it goes in the livewell
Life jackets for everyone on board
Layers and rain gear. A 7am start in mid-May can be cold on the water.
Food and drinks for the day, since you're out from 7am until the 12:30pm weigh-in
Sunscreen and a hat, since May sun on the water adds up
Do I need a license?
Yes. Anyone 16 or older needs a New York State freshwater fishing license, and a tournament doesn't change that. If you're only fishing the tournament day, a 1-day license is $5 for New York residents and $10 for nonresidents. You can buy it online before you arrive.
Do I need to bring my own boat?
Plan on bringing your own boat. Launching is free for registered campers, and you can rent a slip for your stay so the boat is in the water and ready at 6am. See our boat launch and slips for details.
Where Would I Fish?
Anywhere within the tournament's in-bounds waters. The Clyde River and the Erie Canal are right off our marina. Walleye generally feed most actively in low light, so the first hours after the 7am start are worth making count. For species, seasons and where walleye hold, see our guide to fishing the Clyde River.
Can Friends and Family Come Along?
Yes. The Walleye Tournament is one of our themed weekends, so there's something going on for the people who aren't fishing too.
Can my non-fishing family come to the evening events?
Yes. Saturday night karaoke with DJ Jake, from 8 to 11pm, is open to all campground guests.
Is the weekend only for tournament entrants?
No. Tournament weekend is open to every camper, whether or not you fish. Friday bingo and Saturday's bounce house, kids' craft, dice roll game and karaoke night are all part of the weekend, and most weekend activities are included with your stay. The $20 tournament registration is the only extra fee. See the events calendar for the rest of the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Rivers Crossing walleye tournament?
It's held every May. In 2027, the tournament is Saturday, May 15, during our May 14–16 weekend. Check the events calendar for the current schedule.
How much does it cost to enter?
Registration is $20 per person.
How is the tournament scored?
There are two categories: the largest walleye, and the total weight of live fish. Fish must be weighed in by 12:30pm Saturday.
What are the walleye size limits?
On the Clyde River and the Erie Canal up to Lock 26, walleye must be at least 18 inches, with a daily limit of 3 per angler, under New York's special regulation for these waters.
Ready to Fish It?
Book your site for May 14–16, 2027, arrive Friday for bingo, and be ready to fish at 7am Saturday. Questions about the rules? Call us at 315-365-3000. We'd love to be your hosts.
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