Every year the Black Lake Chamber of Commerce sponsors a tagged panfish marathon on Black Lake, with the support of our many tournament sponsors.  Three hundred panfish are tagged with unique numbers and placed at various locations around the lake. Each tag number corresponds to a sponsored prize. Prizes are awarded throughout the season.

Get Ready to Fish!

• You’ll need a New York State fishing license
  Available at: Log Cabins, Black Lake Marine, Chapman’s Sport Shop
• Buy a Panfish Marathon Badge
  Entry Fee:
  • 7 Day Badge – $15
  • 30 Day Badge – $25
  • Season Badge – $50

  Available at: Log Cabins, Black Lake Marine, Chapman’s Sport Shop, Fisherman’s Cove, Back Bay

• Review the Panfish Marathon Rules

Catch a Tagged Panfish!

Bring your tagged fish (alive) to a check-in location:

• Log Cabins
• Black Lake Marine’s Cottages
• Black Lake Fisherman’s Landing

Panfish Marathon Sponsors

Anyone can sponsor a fish! If you’re interested, you can download our sponsor agreement HERE.

2025 Sponsor List Coming Soon!

Previous Panfish Marathons

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BLACK LAKE TAGGED PANFISH MARATHON RULES

1. Contestants must have a current year Tagged Panfish Marathon Badge in his or her name prior to catching a tagged panfish. You must present your badge when checking in a tagged panfish.
2. Contestants must comply with all New York State fishing and boating regulations. NYS fishing licenses are the responsibility of the contestant.
3. Contestants checking in any tagged panfish must have personally hooked and landed the panfish without the assistance of any other person. Exceptions: children 5 and under or physically impaired individuals.
4. Tagged panfish must be alive with the tag in place when checked in. Dead or mutilated tagged panfish will not be eligible for a prize.
5. Contestants must check in the tagged panfish at one of the official Black Lake Tagged Panfish Marathon Check-in locations.
6. Tagged panfish must be checked in within the specified time frame of the Marathon. Any tagged panfish checked in after the deadline of 8:00PM, of current year, WILL NOT be eligible for a prize.
7. Any contestant qualifying for any prize may be asked to submit to a POLYGRAPH TEST. Any contestant qualifying for a prize of $1,000 OR MORE must submit to and pass a POLYGRAPH TEST. All polygraph tests will be scheduled at the expense of the Black Lake Tagged Panfish Marathon. The decision of the examiner as to the contestant’s compliance with tournament rules will be the final decision as to eligibility for any prize.