2026 ED FRENCH OPEN

The Ed French Open is  92 hours long and is a Big 6 format, with prizes awarded to the teams with the most combined weight of their 6 largest carp caught over 15 pounds.  Anglers will be fishing the Seneca River and Onondaga Lake.

SECTION A                                                           SECTION B

1st $6,500                                                            1st $8,000

2nd $3,000                                                          2nd $4,000

3rd $2,100                                                           3rd $3,400

SECTION A BIG FISH $500 Courtesy of Take a Kid Karpin'

SECTION B BIG FISH $500 Courtesy of One on Baits

As we get sponsorship, the prizes will increase.  If we add more pegs and they sell, the prizes will increase.

*this is based on 29 teams registering, if we do not reach 29, the cash payout will decrease

 $1500 per 2 - 3 person team

 Registration will be limited to at least 29 teams, unless new pegs are procured prior to the start of competition.  You can register by paying the full amount of $1500 or a deposit of $500

Early Registration*:  Early Registration for the Top 9 teams  (top 3 from each section) that placed in the 2025 Ed French Open will begin on Friday, July 17, 2026.  Your team will be emailed a special link for your online registration.

Open Registration: Open Registration begins on Saturday, August 1, 2026 using an online link that will be provided on this website at 9:00 AM EST and also on the Wild Carp Club Tournaments Facebook page.  

Any team that makes a deposit and does not pay their balance by September 26, 2026 will forfeit their deposit.  Any team that makes a deposit or pays in full but does not show up for the tournament will forfeit their money. 

All entries must be paid in full by Sept 26, 2026.  Email Ginny to get directions on how to pay your balance.

 * If taking advantage of early registration, teams are not allowed to change from your team you had at the 2025 Ed French Open qualifiers may still register if teammates are dropped but cannot form more than one team. 

Teams awarded prizes for highest combined weight of 6 largest carp over 15 pounds.  If you don't have 6 qualifying fish you can still win a big fish prize, if there is one. (common or mirror)
 

Teams of two or three permitted; six rods per team, one hook per rod

Must possess a NYS fishing license

Everyone must be a Wild Carp Club member, which is $20/calendar year

Proper carp care is required, including use of landing mats, catch and release angling, and use of holding sacks when awaiting marshals
 

Weigh marshal must weigh your catch, record your score and witness the release of each fish
 

Anglers must sign the weigh marshal score sheet for each recorded weight

Always maintain good sportsmanship while competing against fellow anglers
 

Teams must have landed 6 carp to qualify for prizes
 

All fish must be at least 15 lb, 0 oz or greater to qualify for the Big 6 total
 

Be prepared to have enough carp-friendly holding bags to accommodate at least 6 fish; limit of 3 fish per large holding bag

If pegged along Onondaga Lake (not including along the East Shore Trail in Onondaga Lake Park),

absolutely NO cutting or breaking of the vegetation. You can trample down the vegetation to get to

the water and to place your bivvy and rod pods.

If pegged along Onondaga Lake (not including along the East Shore Trail in Onondaga Lake Park),

NO staking into the ground. Please be prepared and bring weights to tie down your bivvies, etc.

 Tuesday, October 6

All Day, Peg Viewing

Peg Draw Order will be randomly done live online through a random name generator.

Wednesday, October 7

Until 11:00 AM, Peg Viewing

11:00 AM Registration, Raffles, Lunch

2:00 PM Peg Draw

Liverpool Elks Club

3730 Cold Springs Rd, Baldwinsville, NY 13027 

5:00 Fishing Starts (NO PRE-BAITING)

Thursday, October 8

Continuous Fishing

Friday, October 9

Continuous Fishing

Saturday, October 10

Continuous Fishing

Sunday, October  11

1:00 PM Fishing Concludes

3:00 PM Awards Presentation

Willow Bay Shelter - Onondaga Lake Park

43.1188052805177, -76.24338116931673