St Lawrence International Junior Carp Tournament - About!

[Savayman]

In 2024 the Junior International Carp Tournament celebrates its 21^st year!

In 2023 over 80 Junior Anglers including 30 newcomers competed for Trophies, $10,000 in Cash Prizes and Awards over two days fishing for carp on the mighty St Lawrence River in upper state New York!

The 2024 Junior Tournament takes place July 18-20 based in Waddington, NY

There are two age groups:

Girls 11-14 & Boys 11-14

Girls 15-18 & Boys 15-18

This is an amazing opportunity for kids to fish as a individuals or as a team with support from families, friends and our peg marshals.

The Junior Tournament is hosted by the Carp Anglers Group and St Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce. It is supported by local companies, sponsors and generous donors. It is part of a series or tournaments supported by a Market New York grant from I LOVE NY/New York State Division of Tourism through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative.

Click Here to Email for More Details and Registration.

 

Connor Wright Overall Winner in 2023

 

 

[Savayman]

Here are some photos from the 2023 Junior Tournament!

[Savayman]

Here are the Results and Details of the 2023 Tournament.

This year the Junior Carp tournament, which started in 2003, celebrated its 20^th anniversary and featured over $10,000 in prizes and awards! It took place August 3-5 2023 along the banks of the St. Lawrence River County around Ogdensburg, Lisbon and Waddington, NY.

81 competitors, including 30 first time participants, aged 11-18 took part in the tournament which ran over two days. The young anglers caught and released a combined 118 carp, weighing a total of over 1,700 pounds. The participants included anglers from St. Lawrence County, as well as other parts of New York State together with anglers from Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.

In the end it was fifteen year-old and first-time participant Connor Wright, from Colton, who was crowned 'Grand Champion'. Connor weighed in a total of 71 lbs. for his heaviest four carp to edge out 2nd Place winner in his age division, Tanner Smith, by just one ounce. Connor's team, Chum Chasers 2, also took home the 3rd Place Team award, with a total weight of 114 lbs.

The biggest carp of the tournament was caught by Landon Wilcox of Potsdam weighing 28 lbs. 13 oz.

Over results:

Girls 11-14 -- 1st Place: Samantha Milburn, 36 lbs. 14 oz. (Madrid); 2nd Place: Briley Cota, 31 lbs. 10 oz. (Rensselaer Falls); 3rd Place: Taylor Bailey, 30 lbs. 11 oz. (Red Creek)

Boys 11-14 -- 1st Place: Ayden Shepard, 68 lbs. 8 oz. (Heuvelton); 2nd Place: Zachary Payne, 58 lbs. 5 oz. (Lisbon); 3rd Place: Ryan Bailey, 58 lbs. (Red Creek)

Girls 15-18 -- 1st Place: Ahna Martinez, 45 lbs. 6 oz. (Heuvelton); 2nd Place: Anisia Bogdan, 37 lbs. 11 oz. (Endicott); 3rd Place: MacKenzie Cota, 36 lbs. 10 oz. (Rensselaer Falls)

Boys 15-18 -- 1st Place: Connor Wright, 71 lbs. (Colton); 2nd Place: Tanner Smith, 70 lbs. 15 oz. (Waddington); 3rd Place: Devin Green, 64 lbs. 8 oz. (Potsdam)

Team Competition -- 1st Place: The Dream Team, 191 lbs. 15 oz.; 2nd Place: Chum Chasers, 131 lbs. 1 oz.; 3rd Place: Chum Chasers 2, 114 lbs.

Adult Division: -- 1st Place: Terry Debiew, 37 lbs. 13 oz.; 2nd Place: Brad Jerome, 34 lbs. 1 oz.; 3rd Place: Paul Gurrola, 18 lbs.

This year the Riley Basford Memorial Sportsmanship Award was presented to teammates, Devin Green and Lucas Cruikshank. They were recognized for sharing their passion for the sport with others, mentoring and teaching others on the riverbank, offering advice to help them be successful during the tournament.

The tournament, which began in 2003, is supported and organized by the Carp Anglers Group of North America. The Carp Anglers Group is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to catch and release carp fishing and introducing newcomers to the sport.  For this year's 20th tournament we were honored to welcome past Grand Marshals, Abby McNamara (Potsdam) and Austin Delosh (Clarksville), and to honor the present we were joined by Grand Marshals, Kaylee Green (Potsdam) and Jaron Belmore (Norwood).

“Of the 81 participants, we had 30 first time participants which is exciting and will keep this tournament going. We're also seeing the next generation of former families now eligible to participate. It's truly a multi-generational event and we're already looking forward to next year,” noted Jo Ann Roberts, tournament organizer.

“The camaraderie and friendships made on the riverbank is wonderful to see, and some of my best friends are those I, myself met at this event,” added Abby McNamara, also tournament organizer.

This year we were joined by Carp Anglers Group President Iain Sorrell. Along with fellow members Jerome Moisand, Phil Saunders and Rita Brown and fellow marshals they helped run the Carp School the day before the tournament. First time participants learned how to play and land big fish as well as taking care of them so they can be returned to the river to grow even bigger.

In addition to the Carp Anglers Group the tournament is supported by the  St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce. It is part of a series of tournaments supported by a Market New York grant from I LOVE NY/New York State’s Division of Tourism through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative.

Our special thanks go to Jo Ann Roberts Tournament Director, Abby McNamara Tournament Organizer, Bob Giodano, our Grand Marshals and Marshals, Radio Operators, Lindsey Baker Photographer, and many volunteers plus our sponsors who make hosting this great event possible!

Next years tournament will be held July 18 – 20^th 2024.