1. Failure to obey all rules will result in immediate disqualification
2. All state boating and fishing regulations are in effect
3. All fish become property of the Yough Walleye Association to be released unless otherwise stated
4. Teams weighing a dead fish will receive a 4oz. penalty for each dead fish
5. Any attempt to weigh a short fish will result in immediate disqualification
6. Minimum walleye length will be 15”, Sauger length will be announced morning of event based on location and state laws.
7. Prizes and awards are by total team weight
8. Life jackets must be worn while on plane
9. All fishing must be done from a propeller driven boat
10. Fishing only during tournament hours on tournament day.
11. Boat with one functional livewell (built in or cooler) with aeration system mandatory
12. Teams must arrive back to the dock by the end hour (3 or 4). Teams arriving one minute past the end time will be considered late and disqualified.
13. Ties broken by single heaviest fish (Everyone should have their heaviest ready to weigh)
14. No team/boat allowed on shore during tournament hours except in case of emergency
15. Teams may pull in to the nearest shoreline in the event of severe weather
16. Boat position will be determined by drawing numbers
17. Last boat number get the bull horn and calls numbers
18. The team calling boat number will have a five (5) count hesitation between numbers
19. Teams may request a re-weigh of their fish after their first locked weight, but must do so immediately. Once you put one fish back in your bag you are accepting your first weight. You will receive the heaviest weight.
20. River tournament junk-fish option pot will consist of catfish, drum, and carp species ONLY
21. Club tournament will have 100% payout
22. Big Fish of the Year entries from club tournaments only
23. Contestants will conduct themselves in a true sportsmanlike, courteous, safe and ethical manner at all times. Any unfavorable conduct, speech or action by a contestant could be grounds for disqualification from a tournament and/or permanent ban from the club. Every competitor is expected to participate in the marshaling of the field in order to maintain the highest integrity to the competition. Any incidents observed during tournament hours should be reported to tournament officials for further investigation.
24. In the event of equipment failure or emergency, there will be only two permitted methods of returning to the check-in: (1) by both partners remaining in their boat and being towed by water, or (2) one of the partners entering the boat of another tournament contestant with their catch. Under these two conditions the contestants’ catch may be counted without a penalty (except for late penalties, dead-fish penalties or other penalties pertaining to other tournament rules). Contestants who elect to return to the check-in by any other means than cited above will forfeit their day’s catch to that point in time of the tournament day.
25. Controversies will be discussed and appropriate action determined among the officers and their decision is final
26. The Yough Walleye Association Officers reserve the right to modify and/or change the rules and regulations if needed.