Reeling It In: Ritchie Secures $100,000 For Local Fishing Tournaments

As anglers across Central and Northern New York prepare for the upcoming ice fishing season, State Senator Patty Ritchie is announcing she has secured $100,000 in special funding to help support local fishing tournaments and increase tourism throughout Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties. 

“No matter the season, the Central and Northern New York regions offer top-notch opportunities for anglers to reel in their next big catch,” said Senator Ritchie.

“Not only that, our region’s fishing industry also provides a big economic boost, attracting tourists to our area, helping to support small businesses and creating jobs. I am pleased to be able to provide this funding, which will help spread the word about our local tournaments and attract more anglers to our region.”

Funding secured by Senator Ritchie will benefit a number of tournaments throughout Central and Northern New York, including an upcoming NYS Junior Bass Masters tournament, which will be held in Ogdensburg and the Bassmasters Elite, which will return to Waddington in 2017.

Local leaders are praising Senator Ritchie’s continued efforts to promote the region’s fishing and tourism industries.

"Every year new visitors come to fish in our local tournaments, enjoying our premier Oswego County waterways and other recreational offerings in the region,” said David Turner, Director of Oswego County Community Development, Tourism and Planning. “The funding provided by Senator Ritchie will help us reach even more anglers and tourists, who will discover the fantastic fishing and recreational opportunities we have to offer, while supporting our local economy. We greatly appreciate her efforts in providing this funding that will be used to encourage even more people to visit Central New York.”

“The fishing industry and local tournaments provide a big boost to our bait and tackle store operators, restaurants marinas, hotels campgrounds and many other local businesses,” said David Storandt, Clayton Town Supervisor. “We want to thank Senator Ritchie for this funding that will allow us to encourage even more visitors and their families to take advantage of all we have to offer.”

“Senator Ritchie’s grant will help us continue to market the St. Lawrence River as one of the premier fishing destinations for large and small tournaments, including the Bassmasters Elite 2017, which we will host in July,” said Waddington Mayor Janet Otto Cassada.

Tournaments and municipalities receiving funding for fishing tournaments include the following:

Oswego County

Oswego County Department of Community Development, Tourism, & Planning

Town of Sandy Creek

Jefferson County

Town of Alexandria

Town of Clayton

Town of Lyme

Town of Cape Vincent

Town of Henderson

St. Lawrence County

Village of Waddington

City of Ogdensburg

An angler herself, Senator has been a strong supporter of New York State’s $1.8 billion fishing industry. In recent years, she has delivered $450,000 for fishing tournaments throughout Central and Northern New York.