Erie Welcomes Western PA Hardwater Tournament Series

The Erie Sports Commission is pleased to announce the inaugural Western PA Hardwater Tournament Series, presented by North Coast Bass Anglers, will stop in Erie on Saturday, March 5. The one-day tournament will conclude the three-event tournament series on Presque Isle Bay.

The tournament will begin on Misery Bay.

The first two tournaments of the series were held on Lake Arthur on January 30, and on Kahle Lake on February 20. Twenty-three teams participated in the Lake Arthur tournament, where the winning team saw an overall weight of 7.97 lbs.

North Coast Bass Anglers has hosted a series fishing tournaments in Erie previously, including the two-day King of Bass Tournament, which drew anglers from across the region in 2015.

Registration for the event begins at 5 a.m., with a pre-tournament rules meeting, and tournament following at 7 a.m. Teams will consist of one- or two-man teams. Weigh-ins are set to begin promptly at 3 p.m. at Field and Stream.

The tournament entry fee is $50, with an 80 percent cash payout to the winner. A portion of the entry fees from the series will benefit the Gold Ribbon Anglers, a nonprofit organization uniting anglers across the sport of fishing to promote awareness of childhood cancer.

“Regional anglers don’t fish only in the warm months, and we are thrilled to be able to host a tournament series that allows anglers to get out and ice fish competitively throughout the winter,” said Co-Tournament Director Billy Hines. “We’re really looking forward to the Erie tournament to cap off a great series.”

“North Coast Bass Anglers have proven to host great fishing tournaments over the past several years,” said Ron Sertz, Executive Director of the Erie Sports Commission. “I’m certain this ice fishing series will be no different, and will give many anglers the opportunity to embrace Erie in the winter months.

For more information, contact Tournament Director Billy Hines at (814) 566-0703.

The Erie Sports Commission is committed to promoting the Erie region as a prime destination for sports and recreation. The major goals of the ESC are to attract, create, support, and host sporting and recreational events that have a positive economic impact on the region, and assist in maximizing the potential of all regional sports facilities and venues. The ESC strives to enhance the image of Erie by showcasing the community, promote wellness through healthy lifestyles, and improve the quality of life for community members of all ages.