DEC Bureau of Fisheries recently implemented a new Black Bass Fishing Tournament Permit that’s required if conducting a black bass (largemouth bass and smallmouth bass) fishing tournament with 10 or more participants. As of January 1st, 413 permits have been issued. Most of these (83%) are for tournaments open to motorized boats, with the remainder for kayak (11%) and multiple types of watercraft events (6%). The waterbodies with the most tournaments scheduled in 2025 include Onondaga Lake, Lake Champlain, and Cayuga Lake. The figure below represents the top 10 waterbodies with black bass tournaments currently permitted for 2025.

Apply for a Black Bass Fishing Tournament Permit
Upcoming Bass Fishing Tournaments