All guests are required to complete a liability waiver  and a rule agreement waiver upon arrival at the lake. The waiver should be signed digitally ahead of time to speed up the check-in process. This document details our regulations and explains that fines may be imposed for rule violations. In order to protect the natural resources and our guests, we patrol the property frequently and will not hesitate to fine those found not to be in compliance. Please respect our rules so that all visitors, as well as future generations, may enjoy this spectacular place.

 

FEBURARY 17th 2024

ICE FISHING TOURNAMENT RULES

1. THE COMMON-SENSE RULE:  Our goal as host is to work hard to ensure a fair and balanced playing field. Should any of the rules require altering to ensure the safety of all participants we reserve the right to modify them at any time, without formal notice. To stay up to date with rules, prizes and general information please reference www.castlemountainrec.com and our Facebook page.

2. WHO CAN ENTER: Anyone who wants to experience some awesome fishing, scenery, and camaraderie. If lake is Iced over, no boats will be on the lake.

3. REGISTRATION AND FEES: Anglers must register and pay the $65 Adult, or $35 Youth registration fee by 10am the day of the event. Price includes Day Use entry fee into the park. A Expeditated option will be available for full payment at the time of checkout. A $25 Early registration fee is available and will be applied toward your total entry fee. Early registration closes 24 hours prior to the day of the tournament. Guests of competitors may purchase Discounted Day Passes at the Office for $10. Reservations are encouraged for Guests/Day Users.

Payment can be made on www.castlemountainrec.com by credit card, or in person at our Office with credit card at any time prior to the 10:00 am cut-off time the day of the tournament. 

  • The tournament is limited to 150 Adult participants and 25 Youth.

  • Full payment, registration forms, signed waiver, signed rule agreement, and special icon must be completed to participate.

4. SCHEDULE: Please visit the tournament web page at www.castlemountainrec.com for full details.

  • 6:00-7:00am: EXPEDITED Check-ins ONLY-Please come to the front office to check in- NO EARLY Check-in’s or set up prior to 6am will be allowed. Please do not crowd the doorway. Check-in will be done by last name. Please find your last name and get in line for that section.

  • ALL Expedited Check-ins MUST sign the 2024 Liability Wavier and 2024 Ice Fishing Rule Agreement prior to 48 hours of tournament start time.

  • Expedited Check-ins that have NOT signed both the 2024 Liability Waiver and 2024 Ice Fishing Rule Agreement will be sent to the BACK of the line.

  • 7:00-7:30 am Non-Expedited Check ins will begin once all Expedited Anglers have been checked in.

  • 7:30 am: Tournament begins, photos cannot be timestamped prior to this time to be eligible.

  • 10:00 am: Registration Closes

  • 3:30 pm: Tournament closes, all photos must be timestamped by this time to be eligible for consideration.

  • Photos must be submitted by 5 pm February 17th, 2024, to be eligible for prizes.

  • All photos must contain your special icon on proper measuring device to be eligible for prizes.

  • Tournament results will be posted by 1pm February 18th, 2024.

5. ELIGIBLE WATERCRAFT: Any hand launched boat is allowed. No gas-powered motors will be permitted. Anglers can share a multi-person watercraft so long as all occupants are entered into the tournament.  If lake is Iced over, no boats will be on the lake.

6. SCORING: We are using the “Catch-Measure-Photo-Release” method.  Once you catch the fish, use a digital camera or smart phone to take a photo of the fish on an approved measuring device with special icon, then release the fish back to the water.

  • For approved measuring devices go to the “Photo Rules” located below.

  • If you email photos or submit via removable device, you must go through your pictures and ONLY submit your top fish for scoring.

  • The “special icon” for the tournament must be present in photo to qualify for scoring.

  • All trout caught MUST be quickly returned to the water ALIVE.

  • Anyone caught keeping trout will supper a $100 fine and automatic disqualification.

  • End time: Anglers must be off the water by 3:30 pm.

  • Steel weights are preferred over lead weights.

  • Coolers and tents will be inspected at any time by Lake Rangers to ensure cooperation with the tournament rules and regulations.

  • Anyone caught violating the tournament rules are subject to disqualification.

  • The tournament officials will review all photos to verify validity and length of fish for determining place winners and disqualified participants.

Standards of Measuring:

Never place the fish directly on the Ice.

  • There is a 10-inch minimum length for fish to be eligible.

  • The fish’s nose or lip must be touching the front of the measuring device, and this must be visible in the picture.

  • The tail can be “pinched” or “natural” and the mouth can be open or closed.

  • The fish must be facing to the left when measuring, belly toward the photographer. See Photo Rules section below for examples.

  • The fish must be on an “approved” measuring device with the front of the device, and the measuring scale beyond the tail, shown in the photo. Be sure the longest point of the tail is laying over a measuring scale mark, so it is visible in the picture. Approved measuring devices will be available for purchase or rent and at the Office.

  • Only Proper Bump Boards that will protect the fish from the Ice will be allowed in this tournament.

  • Length is rounded to the nearest quarter of an inch.

General Scoring Rules

You will have a photo submission deadline that must be adhered to. The deadline time means your photos are RECEIVED by the tournament officials by that time. Not the time your fish was caught, or your picture was sent. Do not wait till the last minute to submit and assume the officials have your photos. Please plan accordingly. Submissions received after the deadline will not be accepted.

  • Ties: Ties will be viewed by officials and if they can be broken by looking at how the fish were photographed, the officials will place the competitors accordingly. If there is still a tie, it will be broken by a coin flip, officiated by tournament officials.

  • Tournament officials have the right to make any calls necessary according to the pictures turned in and received.

  • Once winners are announced there will be no arguing winning positions.

7. ELIGIBLE FISH: Trout species only, Rainbow, Brown, Palomino, Tiger, Brook, and Cutbow. Eligible fish must be a minimum of 10 inches in length.

8. ELIGIBLE FISHING METHODS: All fish must be caught:

  • Only one rod per Angler can be in use at a time. Anyone caught using two rods will be disqualified.

  • Only one line per Angler is allowed in the water at any time.

  • No Jaw Jackers allowed.

  • Tip-ups ARE allowed.

  • Alive on a conventional rod and reel in a sporting manner.

  • Artificial lures, artificial bait, and live bait CAN be used during competition.

  • Any foul hooked fish may not be scored. A foul hooked fish is defined as a fish that does not have at least one hook in its mouth, and it must be released.

  • All fish must be caught during the hours of competition.

  • Trolling and fly fishing are permitted.

  • No cast nets allowed, but anglers may use a landing net.

  • Never place the fish directly on the Ice.

9. SAFETY: Ice Measurements will be taken at 5 different locations prior to the date of the tournament. Anglers are responsible for their own safety and should take their own measurements before venturing out into deep water that is covered in ice. It is recommended that Anglers use ice cleats to navigate the ice safely. Anglers must bring their own Ice Auger as they will not be available on site. There are no lifeguards on duty, and you enter the ice at your own risk. The tournament may be canceled due to unsafe weather or water conditions. The decision to cancel will be made by mid-day Saturday, the day before the tournament. All participants will be notified immediately via the tournament page, Facebook page and email.

10. SPORTSMANSHIP: This is all about having a good time on the water, so it is important that all anglers adhere to a high standard of sportsmanship that portrays our sport in a positive light.

  • The possession or use of drugs is prohibited. Any possession or use of drugs, participation in criminal activity, or other conduct reflecting unfavorably upon the tournament and its sponsors will be subject to disqualification.

  • All anglers will sign a statement of honor that they will abide by all the rules. If found guilty of intentional, predetermined cheating or in violation of the statement of honor, they are subject to disqualification.

  • Proper sporting etiquette should be adhered to while competing. Always be courteous of staff and other anglers at all times.

11. PHOTO/VIDEO RIGHTS: All photos, video, data, audio, and angler profile information shall be used by Wellington Lake indefinitely and may be used by any of its tournament partners in future projects, promotions, articles, or media releases. There will be no compensation for such use of these photos, video, voice, or data. Anglers will be allowed to keep their photos/videos and use how they please as well.

12. FINAL DECISIONS: Any decisions that need to be made in relation to the event will be done so by the tournament committee and their decisions are final.

13. RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE: All participants must sign a release of liability waiver to be on the property and before competing in any tournament. It is required that all participants take responsibility for themselves while participating in event activities. Link the waiver is at the top of this page.

14. HAVE FUN: Remember, winning is not something you can completely control, because there is no way to play defense in this sport. All you can control is your fishing and your attitude….so relax, have fun, and enjoy your time on the water! 

PHOTO RULES

The key to the correct measurement of a fish is as follows:

  • Get a system down, and practice if you can, to:

    • Control the fish from flopping around too much.

    • Find a way to place your measuring board in your boat to where the fish cannot flop out.

    • Develop a way to hold your camera to take pictures directly over the fish that include all the needed aspects and are IN FOCUS.

    • Be sure your picture is good before letting fish go in case you need to take multiple pictures in order to submit a good picture.

    • Ensure your special icon is visible and present in your picture.

  • Measure it consistently to the following rules:

    • Put the fish’s head facing to your left.

    • The fish’s mouth can be open or closed just as long as some part of the nose/lip is touching the end of the board, and it is visible in the photo.

    • The tail can lay natural OR it can be pinched. Get the most out of the fish!

    • Make sure the tail is laying over your measuring devices scale, so the size is easily determined.

    • Make sure the special photo icon is visible in each picture.

  • Approved measuring devices:

    • Any stiff commercially sold ruler-board with a right-angle end sticking up so the fish’s nose/lip can touch up against it. The measuring scale must be easily read in pictures. There will be measuring boards for sale the Wellington Lake Office prior to, and the day of, the tournament, but are limited.

    • Some examples are Hawg Trough, Frabill Bump Board, Northland Ruler Scale Board, Rapala Tournament Ruler, etc.