Black Lake Tagged Pan Fish Marathon

Each spring, over a thousand fishermen from throughout the northeast converge on Black Lake and compete for over $60,000 in prizes by catching fish including crappie, blue gill, perch, sunfish, and rock bass.

To compete, fishermen purchase a $7 seven day or $15 seasonal badge that must be presented when turning in their tagged crappie. This badge allows the purchaser to fish for the eight weeks of the Marathon and to try to catch over 1,000 tagged fish that are eligible for cash and prizes. When turned in at a check in station, the tagged crappie must be alive and it must have been hooked and landed by the person with the badge.

Check in stations are spread throughout the community businesses and are marked by a Marathon Banner. Entrants are also automatically entered into special drawings for other prizes when they purchase a badge.

The proceeds from the Marathon are returned to the community and over the years have supported such projects as the "Heart to Heart" Christmas fund for the needy, a walleye restocking program, a Therapeutic Riding Center, community playground, and to provide scholarships for local students attending college.

St. Lawrence County Angler's Guide