NEWSLETTER
Annual spring event brings anglers, sponsors, and community together along Cattaraugus Creek
Arcade, NY – Carrying-on a popular and successful event, the Arcade Area Chamber of Commerce will once again be hosting the Annual Tri-County Trout Derby on April 18 and 19, 2026. The event, now in its 11th year, brings fishing enthusiasts from across New York State and Pennsylvania to try their luck at catching 400 tagged trout swimming the Cattaraugus Creek in the nine-mile area between the corner of Route 98 and East Arcade Road (Old Cattaraugus Road) in Arcade, and 200 yards south of the bridge on Savage Road in Chaffee.
Sponsored by Machias Outdoors, Maple Grove Enterprises and Pioneer Motorsport, along with other area businesses and organizations, each tagged fish caught will be worth an amount ranging from $25 to $1,000; up to $10,000 in prizes could be awarded. Each tagged fish must be caught and checked in alive to collect a prize. “We are incredibly grateful for the continued support from our sponsors and local partners,” Crissi Lukowski, AACC Executive Director said. “Their involvement allows us to offer substantial prizes while keeping the event fun and accessible for everyone involved.”
There will also be a raffle fish, or “community fish,” which will be worth an unknown amount as participants can add to the bounty. Other raffles will be held throughout the weekend. Trout Derby apparel and gear will be available during the event (pre-orders are encouraged).
Trout Derby Headquarters will once again be located at the Arcade VFW Pavilion, 550 W. Main Street, Arcade. East and West boundaries will be marked along the creek on Genesee and Savage roads. Multiple fishing access points are included in the nine miles of creek comprising the derby boundaries. Headquarters at the Arcade VFW is also serving as one of three official checkpoints – this one being sponsored by Machias Outdoors. Two other official checkpoints will be located at Arcade Center Farm, Route 98N, Arcade, sponsored by Maple Grove Enterprises, and at the Route 16 Bridge (off Hutchinson Road), which will be sponsored by Pioneer Motorsport. Creek walkers will be present throughout the event, checking tags and assisting participants.
All entrants must have a valid NYS fishing license to participate. On-line Registration is open and the Trout Derby’s Official Rules can be found on the Chamber website, www.arcadeareachamber.org.
Packet pick-up for those who have pre-registered will take place on the evening of Friday, April 17, at Pioneer Motorsport on Route 16/Olean Road in Chaffee, 2 – 7 p.m. For anyone not pre-registered, register at Machias Outdoors on Route 16/Olean Road in South Wales on Friday, April 17, 2 – 6 p.m. or at derby headquarters Saturday morning starting at 6 a.m.
Register online at www.arcadeareachamber.org or for more information, call the office at 585-492-2114.