Fishing contests and tournaments are a big part of the angling culture in the United States, with events ranging from local community derbies to large, competitive tournaments with substantial prizes. Here are some of the most notable fishing contests held across the U.S.:

1. Bassmaster Classic – The most prestigious event in bass fishing, featuring top anglers from around the world competing for a large cash prize and the title of World Champion.
2. FLW Tour – Another major bass fishing tournament series that includes multiple events across the country, culminating in a championship with significant prize money.
3. Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament – Held in Morehead City, North Carolina, this is one of the largest and oldest blue marlin tournaments, drawing competitors from across the globe.
4. White Marlin Open – An annual saltwater fishing tournament held in Ocean City, Maryland, known as the “World’s Largest Billfish Tournament” with millions in prize money.
5. Walleye Madness – Tournaments held in various locations across the Midwest, particularly in states like Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ohio, where walleye is a popular target species.
6. Cabela’s National Walleye Tour – Offers high-level competition with some of the best walleye anglers in North America.
7. Texas Bass Classic – Features top professional bass anglers from around the world competing on Texas lakes.
8. Cheeca Lodge All-American Backcountry Tournament – Held in Islamorada, Florida, this tournament targets multiple inshore species and is known for its conservation efforts.
9. Golden Gate Salmon Derby – A popular event in California focused on ocean salmon fishing, supporting salmon restoration and management efforts.
10. The Silver King Tournament – Tarpon fishing tournaments held in Florida, where this iconic game fish is most plentiful.
11. Ice Fishing Derbies – Held in colder states like Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Alaska, these derbies take advantage of the frozen lakes to catch a variety of species through the ice.
12. Catfish tournaments – Numerous local and regional competitions are held across the southern and midwestern United States, focusing on different species of catfish.
13. Copper River Delta Shorebird Festival – This unique event in Cordova, Alaska, combines bird watching with a fishing contest, highlighting the rich biodiversity of the area.
14. Montauk Surf Fishing Classic – A celebrated surf fishing tournament in Montauk, New York, targeting striped bass from the shores.
15. King of the Beach – In Madeira Beach, Florida, this kingfish tournament attracts competitive anglers seeking the biggest king mackerel.

These events not only cater to competitive anglers but also often support conservation efforts and promote fishing as a family-friendly activity. They vary widely in scale, target species, and location, providing something for every type of fisherman.