2026 NYS Winter Classic Tournament

[Finders Keepers]

~2026 NYS Winter Classic Tournament~

 

This year's event will once again feature the following prizes to go after:

Overall Grand Slam Champion Awards (Adult and Youth winners)

Top-3 Cash Awards (for all 7 main species divisions)

Top-3 Bass Cash Awards

Weekly Cash Awards (for the largest fish entered in all 7 main species divisions)

Mystery Size Awards (for all 7 main species divisions)

Youth Achievement Crystal Awards (top male and female anglers in all 7 main species categories)

Door Prizes, Giveaways, Raffles & Sponsored Goods (pre-tourney promos and at the awards ceremony)

 

Current Event Sponsors include:

Batavia Downs Casino, HT Ent., FishUSA, Addicted Fishing, Savage Gear, Reel Cool Lures, Koyote Ugly Spoons, Meegs Lures, Mad River Sports, Green Mt. Sporting Supplies, Kahtoola, Prime Time Custom Baits, Automatic Fisherman, Fish Donkey, Lake Ontario United

 

Early Bird registration for the 2026 NYS Winter Classic Tournament continues until Dec. 1st - get registered before Dec. 1st and get entered into the Early Bird Registration Drawings, the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Drawings, and the Kick-Off Door Prize Drawings! Winners will be drawn during the online LIVE shows hosted on the tourney Facebook page starting Dec. 1st:

https://www.facebook.com/NYSWinterClassic

 

Details for this year's event (prizes, sponsors, rules & regs, etc.) can be found online at the tourney website:

NYSwinterclassic.com

 

Register today at:

https://tourney.fishdonkey.com/#/tournament/17825/details

 

This year's awards ceremony will be held at the Batavia Downs Casino Resort on March 14th starting at 2pm. Attendance is optional for all anglers except the Grand Slam winners. If you have any questions about the event, drop me a PM here on LOU or text me at (585) 330-0494. 

Good luck to everyone this winter and FISH ON!!

 

Tim Thomas

NYS Classic Events

Director

 

Edited November 19, 2025 by Finders Keepers

[Finders Keepers]

If you missed the NYS Winter Classic LIVE Shows the last couple of weeks, here is a run-down of all the drawings and awards anglers will be going for in this year’s event:

 

2026 NYS Winter Classic Prizes & Awards:

Early Bird Drawings ($300+)

12 Days of Christmas Giveaway ($2500+)

Dec. 31^st Kick-Off Show & Drawings ($1000+)

Top-3 Northern Pike (cash awards + MVMM Membership)

Top-3 Walleye (cash awards + MVMM Membership)

Top-3 Trout (cash awards + MVMM Membership)

Top-3 Crappie (cash awards + MVMM Membership)

Top-3 Pickerel (cash awards + MVMM Membership)

Top-3 Yellow Perch (cash awards + MVMM Membership)

Top-3 Panfish (cash awards + MVMM Membership)

Top-3 Bass (cash awards + MVMM Membership)

Overall Biggest Musky (Trophy)

Overall Biggest Anything Else NOT Already in the Event (Trophy)

Top Youth Male & Female Northern Pike (Crystal Awards + Free MVMM Day Dig Pass)

Top Youth Male & Female Walleye (Crystal Awards + Free MVMM Day Dig Pass)

Top Youth Male & Female Trout (Crystal Awards + Free MVMM Day Dig Pass)

Top Youth Male & Female Pickerel (Crystal Awards + Free MVMM Day Dig Pass)

Top Youth Male & Female Crappie (Crystal Awards + Free MVMM Day Dig Pass)

Top Youth Male & Female Yellow Perch (Crystal Awards + Free MVMM Day Dig Pass)

Top Youth Male & Female Panfish (Crystal Awards + Free MVMM Day Dig Pass)

Overall Grand Slam Adult (Cash or Crystal Trophy)

Overall Grand Slam Youth (Cash or Crystal Trophy)

Beat the Director Top-10 Yellow Perch Stringer (Fishing Charter)

Largest Fish in Every Species Division Every Week (56 cash awards)

Awards Ceremony Drawings & Giveaways ($7600+)

 

All for a $30 entry – enter today to get in on NY’s largest winter fishing event and join in the fun and excitement this winter!!

https://tourney.fishdonkey.com/#/tournament/17825/details

NOTE: If registering a youth angler (16 or under at time of entry) make sure to include the word “YOUTH” in their profile name to be eligible for the youth awards.

 

If you have any questions about the event, please feel free to drop me a line or txt at (585) 330-0494.

 

Edited December 18, 2025 by Finders Keepers

[Finders Keepers]

**Tourney Update - January 4th**

 

The 2026 NYS Winter Classic Fishing Tournament is off to a great start with anglers hitting the ice, streams, rivers and open water all across the state! Take a look at some of the beautiful catches that have hit the boards so far! To see the current leaderboards, go to:

2026 NYS State Winter Classic Leader Boards

 

Week #1 runs through next Sat January 10th. Here are the current weekly leaders:

N. Pike: Ronald Parker - 41.75"

Walleye: Chad Pruner - 29.25"

Trout: Tim Hughes - 24.25"

Pickerel: Frederick Simmeth II - 25.50"

Crappie: Dan Hargrave - 15.25"

Perch: Frank Hornbeck - 13.75"

Panfish: Anthony Sergi - 10.00"

 

Plus additional prize category leaders:

Musky: Robert Brienzi - 33.50"

Bass: Ken Decker - 20.00"

Anything Else: Thomas Parris-Tireman - 31.50" Chinook Salmon

 

Beat the Director's Top-10 Perch Stringer Total: 137.25"

 

Mystery Sizes Caught ($25 FishUSA Gift Card):

Crappie: Frederick Simmeth III - 10.50"

(Still 6 more species to be caught/found!!)

 

*NEW PRIZE ANNOUNCEMENT*

Practice taking those trophy shots this month - starting in February, there will be a new Weekly Best Trophy Shot Prize Package given out each week for weeks #5-8 for the overall best angler/fish trophy shot! Prize packages will be a mix of goods from our sponsors (jigs, lures, decals, etc.).

 

There is still 2 full months of tourney action and tons of cash awards to go after (7 every week, plus overall placements, bass cash awards, Mystery Size Prizes, etc.) - join in the fun and register today at:

NYS Winter Classic Tourney Registration

 

[tmag]

some nice records on this tourney. 

[Finders Keepers]

Still two and a half weeks left to go in this year's event! Results so far for weeks #1-5 can be found at:

Week #1-5 Results

 

For the 2nd half of the event we are also awarding a prize package to the angler with the best trophy shot each week - so make sure to get/submit great pictures with your catch!!

 

The current Overall One More Cast Grand Slam Leader is:

Dan Hargrave - 161.75"

 

The current Overall Youth Grand Slam Leader is:

Stellan Axl Peter - 129.50"

 

Week #6 runs through Sat at midnight - here are the current Week 6 leaders:

Largest Pike: Dan Hargrave - 35.25"

Largest Walleye: Cullen Fennessy - 27.00"

Largest Trout: TBD

Largest Pickerel: Paul Flayter - 25.75"

Largest Crappie: TBD

Largest Perch: Kyle Ballard - 14.50"

Largest Panfish: Donald Roberts - 8.50"

 

Current Tourney Standings:

Overall Northern Pike:

1st: Dylan Lyon - 43.00"

2nd: Jason Randazzo - 42.50"

3rd: Ronald Parker - 41.75"

 

Overall Walleye:

1st: Richard Rupert - 30.25"

2nd: Michael Fennessy - 30.00"

3rd: Mikey Walsh - 30.00"

 

Overall Trout:

1st: Frederick Simmeth III - 32.50"

2nd: Andy Wengender - 32.50"

3rd: Josh Ladd - 32.00"

 

Overall Pickerel:

1st: Dan Hargrave - 26.75"

2nd: Lucas Palmer - 26.50"

3rd: John Bury - 26.25"

 

Overall Crappie:

1st: Dan Hargrave - 15.50"

2nd: Lucas Palmer - 15.25"

3rd: Quinn Hargrave - 15.00"

 

Overall Yellow Perch:

1st: Matthew Clark - 15.50"

2nd: Andy Wengender - 15.50"

3rd: Jeremiah Hughes - 15.00"

 

Overall Panfish:

1st: Andrew Ladd - 10.25"

2nd: Josh Ladd - 10.25"

3rd: Anthony Sergi - 10.00"

 

Overall Bass:

1st: Kevin Peter - 22.00"

2nd: Pat Conner - 21.00"

3rd: Daniel Storrier - 21.00"

 

Beat the Director's Top-10 Perch (currently 141.50"):

1st: Matthew Clark - 147.75"

2nd: Benjamin Hanggi - 143.00"

3rd: TBD

 

Overall Largest Musky:

1st: Robert Brienzi - 33.50"

 

Overall Largest Anything Else:

1st: Thomas Parris-Tireman - 31.50" Chinook Salmon

 

Youth Achievement Award Leaders:

Northern Pike: Shelby Hunt & Coltin Stammers

Walleye: TBD & Cullen Fennessy

Pickerel: Shelby Hunt & Stellan Axl Peter

Trout: Quinn Hargrave & Frederick Simmeth III

Crappie: Quinn Hargrave & Kolton Fuelleman

Perch: Shelby Hunt & Madden Lathers

Panfish: Shelby Hunt & Kolton Fuelleman

 

Registration for the Dinner Banquet at the awards is NOW OPEN. See the tourney website for registration details:

Awards Ceremony

Also a reminder that hotel rooms at the discounted price w/ additional FREE PLAY are going fast! If you need a room the night before or the night of the awards, use code: FISH26 when booking.

 

Best of luck and tight lines to all anglers during the second half of the NYS Winter Classic!!

[Finders Keepers]

**2026 NYS Winter Classic - FINAL Results**

All results are now FINAL for the 2026 NYS Winter Classic Tournament event! Congratulations to all of our amazing anglers who placed this year! The awards ceremony is scheduled for March 14th at the Batavia Downs Casino Resort, doors open at 2pm with the awards starting at approximately 3pm, and the dinner banquet to follow at 5:30pm. Those attending the dinner banquet must register by March 9th at Noon at:

http://www.nyswinterclassic.com/2026/AwardsCeremonyInfo.html

We will have over $7,500 in door prizes, raffles, giveaways, freebies, the Youth Prize Table, etc. plus the following vendor tables:

Mohawk Valley Mineral Mining

One More Cast

Reel Cool Lures

Let's Catch Fish Nation

 

We hope to see everyone there to celebrate an amazing ice season and congratulate all of the following winners in the event this year:

Overall One More Cast Grand Slam Champion:

Dan Hargrave - 161.75" ($1060 in total winnings)

 

Overall Youth Grand Champion:

Kolton Fuelleman - 148.50" ($420 in total winnings)

 

Youth Achievement Award Winners (Crystal Awards):

Northern Pike: Shelby Hunt - 35.25" & Kolton Fuelleman - 37.75"

Walleye: Quinn Hargrave - 15.75" & Cullen Fennessey - 30.50"

Pickerel: Shelby Hunt - 26.00" & Stellan Axl Peter - 24.50"

Trout: Quinn Hargrave - 30.75" & Frederick Simmeth III - 32.50"

Crappie: Quinn Hargrave - 15.00" & Stellan Axl Peter - 14.75"

Perch: Shelby Hunt - 12.25" & Colton Fisher - 14.75"

Panfish: Quinn Hargrave - 10.00" & Stellan Axl Peter - 9.75"

 

Overall Largest Winners:

(Cash & Prizes: 1st $250, 2nd $150, 3rd $115)

Northern Pike

1st: Jason Randazzo - 45.50"

2nd: Greg Pessolano - 44.50"

3rd: Dylan Lyon - 43.00"

Walleye

1st: Michael Fennessy - 30.75"

2nd: Cullen Fennessy - 30.50"

3rd: Richard Rupert - 30.25"

Trout

1st: Daniel Brand Jr. - 35.25"

2nd: Eric Hand - 34.75"

3rd: Tim Hughes - 34.50"

Pickerel

1st: Josh Ladd - 27.00"

2nd: Dan Hargrave - 26.75"

3rd: Lucas Palmer - 26.75"

Crappie

1st: Dan Hargrave - 15.50"

2nd: Lucas Palmer - 15.25"

3rd: Quinn Hargrave - 15.00"

Yellow Perch

1st: Matt Clark - 15.50"

2nd: Andy Wengender - 15.50"

3rd: Chris Fisher - 15.50"

Panfish

1st: Andrew Ladd - 10.50"

2nd: Josh Ladd - 10.25"

3rd: Anthony Sergi - 10.00"

Bass Cash Winners:

1st Place ($100): Kevin Peter - 22.00"

2nd Place ($50): Pat Conner - 21.00"

3rd Place ($25): Daniel Storrier - 21.00"

 

Beat the Director's Top-10 Perch Stringer (147.25"):

(1/2 Day Fishing Charter w/ Finders Keepers Sportfishing)

Matt Clark - 151.00"

 

Mystery Size Prize Winners:

($25 FishUSA Gift Card)

Northern Pike (20"-42"): Dan Hargrave - 23.75"

Trout (12"-38"): Kevin Peter - 25.75"

Walleye (12"-30"): 20.75" Not Caught

Pickerel (16"-26"): Shelby Hunt - 26.00"

Crappie (8"-15"): Frederick Simmeth III - 10.50"

Yellow Perch (8"-15"): Dan Hargrave - 8.25"

Panfish (6"-10"): Jeremiah Hughes - 7.75"

 

Overall Largest Musky:

(Trophy Award)

1st Place: Robert Brienzi - 33.50"

 

Overall Largest Anything Else Not in the Event:

(Trophy Award)

1st Place: Thomas Parris-Tireman - 31.50" Chinook Salmon

 

Best Trophy Shot Awards in Feb:

(Prize Package)

Week 1 - Jeremiah Hughes - Lake Trout

Week 2 - Cullen Fennessy - Walleye

Week 3 - Savannah Hornbeck - Crappie

Week 4 - Phillip Narroway - Lake Trout

 

Weekly Winners ($20 Cash Award):

Week #1

Largest Pike: Jason Randazzo - 42.50"

Largest Walleye: Cameron Hasner - 29.75"

Largest Trout: Dan Hargrave - 31.25"

Largest Pickerel: Lucas Palmer - 26.50"

Largest Crappie: Dan Hargrave - 15.50"

Largest Perch: Matthew Clark - 15.50"

Largest Panfish: Andrew Ladd - 10.25"

Week #2

Largest Pike: Lucas Palmer - 38.50"

Largest Walleye: Josh Ladd - 22.25"

Largest Trout: Frederick Simmeth III - 32.50"

Largest Pickerel: Dan Hargrave - 26.75"

Largest Crappie: Lucas Palmer - 14.75"

Largest Perch: Chad Pruner - 14.75"

Largest Panfish: Josh Ladd - 10.25"

Week #3

Largest Pike: Christopher Schaffer - 40.00"

Largest Walleye: Michael Fennessy - 30.00"

Largest Trout: Andy Wegender - 20.75"

Largest Pickerel: Kevin Peter - 24.75"

Largest Crappie: Shelby Hunt - 15.00"

Largest Perch: Dominic Sergi - 13.75"

Largest Panfish: Dominic Sergi - 10.00"

Week #4

Largest Pike: Greg Pessolano - 40.00"

Largest Walleye: Richard Rupert - 30.25""

Largest Trout: Josh Ladd - 26.50"

Largest Pickerel: Robert Brienzi - 23.25"

Largest Crappie: Brandon Payne - 11.50"

Largest Perch: Tom Miller Jr. - 14.25"

Largest Panfish: Pat Conner - 9.75"

Week #5

Largest Pike: Dylan Lyon - 43.00"

Largest Walleye: Dave Peryea - 30.00"

Largest Trout: Jeremiah Hughes - 31.75"

Largest Pickerel: John Bury - 26.25"

Largest Crappie: Pat Conner - 13.50"

Largest Perch: Jeremiah Hughes - 15.00"

Largest Panfish: Bill Roe - 9.25"

Week 6

Largest Pike: Frank Hornbeck - 39.50"

Largest Walleye: Logan Gagne - 28.00""

Largest Trout: Tim Hughes - 31.75"

Largest Pickerel: Paul Flayter - 25.75"

Largest Crappie: Stellan Axl Peter - 14.75"

Largest Perch: Chris Fisher - 15.00"

Largest Panfish: Frank Luta Jr. - 9.50"

Week 7

Largest Pike: Kolton Fuelleman - 37.75"

Largest Walleye: Cullen Fennessy - 30.50"

Largest Trout: Eric Hand - 34.75"

Largest Pickerel: Josh Ladd - 27.00"

Largest Crappie: Brett Holmes - 15.00"

Largest Perch: Josh Evingham - 15.50"

Largest Panfish: Quinn Hargrave - 10.00"

Week 8

Largest Pike: Ronald Parker - 43.00"

Largest Walleye: Eric Hand - 27.50"

Largest Trout: Daniel Brand Jr. - 35.25"

Largest Pickerel: J.R. Mooney - 23.25"

Largest Crappie: Kristofer Heller - 14.50"

Largest Perch: Peter Riesenberger - 15.25"

Largest Panfish: Kristofer Heller - 9.50"

 

Registration for the upcoming tournaments is now open in Fish Donkey:

USA Spring Yellow Perch Showdown (March 14-May 17)

NYS Spring Yellow Perch Showdown (March 14-May17)

NYS Summer Classic (June 1-Aug 31)

 

Registration for the 2027 NYS Winter Classic will open Sept. 1st.

Best of luck and tight lines to everyone in the open water season ahead!!