2023 Tournament
| Each team will consist of one of the following: (a) 1 adult (18 years or older) and 1 child (10 years or younger), (b) 1 adult (18 years or older) and 1 child (11 – 17 years old), or, (c) 1 adult (18 years or older) and 2 children (17 years old or younger). Age is determined as of June 11, 2022. One team per boat. NO SPECTATORS ARE ALLOWED IN THE BOATS. Fish may either be released after weigh-in or harvested. If you choose to weigh in fish prior to your final weigh in of the day, those fish MUST BE released after a tournament official has weighed and charted your catch. Fishing Rules and Regulations: The following fish species are allowed to be weighed in and included in the “total heaviest catch” rankings (walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass, crappie, bluegill and perch). NO other species are allowed to be weighed. It is the responsibility of the adult team member to ensure that all bag, possession and length limits are followed. Please refer to the 2022 Fishing Guide. All Nebraska state 2022 fishing regulations (bag, possession and length limits) will be followed with THESE EXCEPTIONS:
Park permits are required on all vehicles on Nebraska Game and Parks grounds, including Beeds Landing boat ramp area. Fishing licenses are required for all tournament entrants including youth entrant if 16 years or over or a nonresident under age 16 if not accompanied by someone who has a Nebraska fishing permit. If youth entrant is 15 years or younger and a Nebraska resident, they are not required to have a fishing license. It is highly recommended that you obtain any necessary fishing licenses and park permits prior to arriving at Merritt Reservoir. Fishing licenses and park permits can be obtained by visiting http://outdoornebraska.gov/fishingguidesandreports/ and click on Buy a Permit. No child under 13 is allowed aboard any vessel when not wearing a Coast Guard-approved life preserver. Vessel operators shall be held responsible. Total heaviest catch is determined per team. For example, a 2 child/1 adult team will weigh their entire catch together; maximum of 3 bag limits based on Nebraska state 2022 fishing regulations AND bag limit exceptions for this tournament as outlined above. All decisions by tournament officials will be final. Additional details regarding the day of the tournament will be provided several weeks prior to the tournament. Prizes and Awards: There are 3 Divisions for Top 3 total heaviest catch: (a) 1 adult and 1 child 10 years old and under, (b) 1 adult and 1 child 11 years old to 17 years old, and (c) 1 adult and 2 children 17 years old and younger. Ages are determined by child’s age as of June 11, 2022. Prizes will be awarded to the Top 3 total heaviest catch per division. Prizes will include: gift cards, cash and prizes from our prize table (fishing, camping and outdoors related prizes). Trophies will also be awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers of each division. Tie breaker for these divisions will be based on (1) heaviest fish caught then, if necessary, (2) total number of fish caught. Additionally, trophies will be awarded to the (1) overall heaviest fish and (2) heaviest fish by species for 3 different species: (a) walleye, (b) northern pike, and (c) largemouth bass. EACH CHILD will compete for these awards individually; NOT per team. There will be no heaviest fish awards for crappie, bluegill, and perch (these 3 species only count toward total heaviest catch). Tie breaker for these awards will be applied as follows (1) total heaviest catch then, if necessary, (2) total number of fish caught. EVERY youth participant will be recognized and receive a prize from the prize table and a fishing medal. Random Drawings: Random drawings will be held from all youth tournament entrants at the awards ceremony for the following donated drawings:
Tournament Organizers and Officials: Joni Claymon, Andrew's Mom, 970-445-8190 Brian Claymon, Andrew's brother, 970-401-5813 |