Lines in the Water: The Rotary Fishing Classic Returns to Lake Champlain for its 40th year
Photos courtesy LakeChamplain.com (ROOST).
For anglers across the Adirondacks and Lake Champlain region, early June signals the unofficial start of tournament season. This year, the 40th Annual Rotary International Fishing Classic returns to Lake Champlain from June 5–7, 2026, bringing one of the North Country's longest-running fishing competitions back to the waters bordering the Adirondacks.
Hosted by the Rotary Club of Plattsburgh, the three-day event spans multiple marinas on both the New York and Vermont shores of Lake Champlain and remains the lake's oldest fishing tournament. Part competition, part tradition, and part summer kickoff, the Classic continues to attract everyone from veteran charter captains to families hoping to land their first tournament fish.
For visitors exploring the Adirondack Coast communities of Plattsburgh, Port Henry, Essex, and Willsboro, the event offers a front-row seat to one of the region's most enduring outdoor traditions.
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Fishing on Lake Champlain.
A North Country tradition four decades in the making.
Forty years is no small milestone in the world of fishing tournaments.
Since its founding, the Rotary International Fishing Classic has celebrated the extraordinary fishery of Lake Champlain while raising support for Rotary initiatives and bringing visitors to local communities along the lake. Long before competitive bass tournaments dominated television and social media feeds, anglers were gathering along these waters in pursuit of salmon, trout, and walleye.
Today, the tournament remains one of the first major fishing events of the season in the North Country.
The timing couldn't be better. Early June often delivers excellent conditions for anglers targeting landlocked salmon, steelhead, brown trout, lake trout, and walleye, making the tournament a showcase for the remarkable diversity found in Lake Champlain.
What anglers can expect.
Participants may compete as individuals or teams, with cash prizes awarded in multiple categories.
Fishing begins across Lake Champlain's vast waters, from the broad northern basin near Plattsburgh to the scenic stretches bordering the Adirondack towns of Essex and Port Henry. Boats will spread out before dawn, rods rigged and electronics humming, as competitors search for the fish that could put them atop the leaderboard.
Weigh-in stations will be located at six marinas:
Lake Champlain marina.
New York weigh-in stations
Bridgeview Harbour Marina — Port Henry
Essex Marina — Essex
Indian Bay Marina — Willsboro Bay
Plattsburgh City Marina — Dock Street, Plattsburgh
Vermont weigh-in stations
Apple Island Marina — South Hero
Ferry Dock Marina (Gas Dock) — Burlington
Throughout the weekend, anglers will bring their catches to the scales while swapping stories about missed strikes, unexpected hotspots, and the fish that got away.
Why Lake Champlain remains a fishing destination.
Lake Champlain occupies a unique place in the Adirondack outdoor experience.
While many visitors associate the region with hiking trails and mountain summits, the lake supports one of the Northeast's premier freshwater fisheries. Its combination of cold-water and warm-water habitats creates opportunities to catch multiple species in a single outing.
The fishing classic showcases that diversity while introducing visitors to communities that often receive less attention than some of the Adirondacks' larger tourism destinations.
For travelers, it's also an excuse to explore waterfront towns, local restaurants, and marinas along the Adirondack Coast during one of the most pleasant times of year.
Point au Roche on Lake Champlain.
ADK Taste recommendation.
Even if you're not competing, consider spending part of Sunday afternoon at the Plattsburgh waterfront.
The awards ceremony begins at 3:30 pm at the Naked Turtle at the Plattsburgh Boat Basin. It's one of the best opportunities to see the tournament's biggest catches, hear anglers compare notes, and experience the community atmosphere that has helped keep this event thriving for four decades.
The weekend finale.
The tournament concludes Sunday afternoon with the awards ceremony recognizing top anglers and teams.
By then, countless fishing stories will have been created across Lake Champlain's waters. Some competitors will head home with prize money. Others will leave with little more than a few photographs and a memorable day on the lake.
In the Adirondacks, that's often reward enough.
For registration details, tournament rules, updates, and official merchandise, anglers should visit the event registration website or contact the Fishline at 888-829-7437.
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FAQ
When is the Rotary International Fishing Classic?
The event takes place June 5–7, 2026.
Where is the tournament held?
The tournament is held on Lake Champlain with weigh-in locations in New York and Vermont, including Port Henry, Essex, Willsboro Bay, and Plattsburgh.
What species can anglers target?
Participants may fish for salmon, steelhead, brown trout, lake trout, and walleye.
How do anglers register?
Registration is available online and through the Fishline at 888-829-7437. Registration closes at 6 pm on Thursday, June 4, 2026.
Where is the awards ceremony?
The awards ceremony begins at 3:30 pm on Sunday, June 7, at the Naked Turtle at the Plattsburgh Boat Basin.
Is the event suitable for beginners?
Yes. The tournament welcomes both experienced anglers and newcomers interested in participating in a Lake Champlain fishing competition.
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