All guests are required to complete a liability waiver upon arrival at the lake. The waiver must be digitally signed 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 our commitment to preserving the natural beauty of our property and ensuring the safety and enjoyment of all our guests, we conduct regular patrols across the grounds. Please be advised that any violations of property rules will be subject to fines. We appreciate your cooperation in maintaining a respectful and harmonious environment.


Open water 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.

2. WHO CAN ENTER: Anyone with or without a hand launched boat and wants to experience some awesome fishing, scenery, and camaraderie. A limited number of kayaks are available for rent, early reservations of equipment rentals are encouraged. Trolling motors are allowed, no gas or diesel motors are permitted. Life jackets are always required on the water.

3. REGISTRATION AND FEES: Anglers must register and pay the $50/Adult, or $35/Youth for a registration fee by 10am the day of the event. The price includes Day Use entry fee into the park for each Angler registered. Guests of competitors may purchase Discounted Day Passes at the Office for $10. Reservations are encouraged for Guests/Day Users.

An Expeditated option will be available for full payment $50 per Adult Angler and $35 per youth Angler at the time of checkout and is non-refundable at the time of purchase. Expedited Anglers will be allowed to check-in earlier at 6am-7am (no early check-ins). Expedited Check-ins that have not signed both the 2025 Liability Waiver and 2025 Open Water Fishing Rule Agreement will be sent to the back of the line without mercy.

A non-expedited pre-registration option is available for a $15 fee per Adult Angler and $15 fee/ Youth Angler. Non-expedited registration fees will be applied toward your total entry fee on the day of the tournament. Non-expedited Anglers can check-in starting at 7am (no early check-ins). Non-Expedited Check-ins that have not signed both the 2025 Liability Waiver and 2025 Open Water Fishing Rule Agreement will be sent to the back of the line without mercy.

Pre-registration closes 48 hours prior to the day of the tournament on May 1st, 2025, at 8am. Guests of competitors may purchase Discounted Day Passes at the Office for $10. Reservations are encouraged for Guests/Day Users. IF the event changes due to conditions outside of our ability to control the Pre-registration fee is non-refundable. 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 on the day of the tournament. 

  • We offer both single and tandem kayaks for rent, providing a fun and adventurous way to explore the water.

  • We have a limited number of Angler Boards and Paddleboards available for rent. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy a unique experience on the water!

  • Please note that our equipment is available in limited quantities and will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. To ensure availability, we strongly recommend pre-booking your rental in advance.

  • The tournament is limited to 150 Adult participants and 50 Youth.

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

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

  • Expedited Check-Ins: 6:00–7:00 AM

    • Check-ins during this time are expedited only and will take place at the front office.

    • No early check-ins or day-use setups are permitted before 6:00 AM.

    • Any angler found in violation of this policy will incur a 3-inch penalty on any fish submitted.

    • Please avoid crowding the doorway.

    • Check-in will be organized by the last name of the Registered Guest. Please locate your section and line up accordingly.

  • ALL Expedited Check-ins MUST sign BOTH the 2025 Liability Wavier and 2025 Open Water Fishing Rule Agreement prior to 48 hours of tournament start time on May 1st, 2025 at 8 am.

  • Expedited Check-ins that have NOT signed BOTH the 2025 Liability Waiver and 2025 Open Water Fishing Rule Agreement will be sent to the BACK of the line.

  • NON-Expedited Check-Ins: 7:00–7:30 AM

    • NON-Expedited Check-In’s will start at 7 am and will take place at the front office.

    • No early check-ins or day-use setups are permitted before 7:00 AM.

    • Any angler found in violation of this policy will incur a 3-inch penalty on any fish submitted.

    • Please avoid crowding the doorway.

    • Check-in will be organized by the last name of the Registered Guest. Please locate your section and line up accordingly.

  • The tournament officially begins at 7:30 AM. Photos of submissions with timestamps prior to this time will not be eligible for consideration.

  • 10:00 am: Registration Closes.

  • Tournament End: 3:30 PM

    • The tournament officially concludes at 3:30 PM.

    • All fishing lines must be out of the water by this time.

    • Photos of submissions must be timestamped by 3:30 PM to qualify for consideration.

  • Photos must be submitted by 5 pm on May 3rd, 2025, to be eligible for prizes.

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

  • Tournament results will be posted by 1pm May 4th, 2025.

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. 

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 the 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 fish must be released back into the lake.

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

Standards of Measuring:

  • 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 the 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. A list of approved measuring devices can be found on the web page and measuring devices will be available for purchase at the Office.

  • 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 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.

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 are allowed.

  • NO Tip-ups are allowed.

  • Alive on a fly rod and reel or conventional rod and reel with a fly rig, in a sporting manner. An angler may use only the following tackle: a maximum of 3 flies at any given time, each with a barbless single-point hook.

  • Flies ONLY may be used during competition; no bait or other lures of any kind will be permitted.

  • No scented flies.

  • For the Purpose of this tournament, we will define flies as follows based off the regulations for Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for fishing Events: “Flies A lure on which natural or synthetic fly tying materials are attached to a hook or a tube, typically with thread and/or glue. Natural fly tying materials include, but are not limited to fiber and feather such as hair, fur, dubbing, feathers, hackle and marabou, while synthetic materials include but are not limited to foam, rubber, tinsel, flash, mylar, yarns, and dubbing. Thin metal wires may be used. In addition, glass, plastic and metal beads, as well as dumbbell or bead chain eyes, may be used as part of the design. Manufactured billed plug bodies may not be used as part of the lure, nor is a manufactured metal spoon a fly”

  • “ARTIFICIAL FLIES AND LURES means devices made entirely of, or a combination of, natural or synthetic nonedible, nonscented materials (regardless if the scent is added in the manufacturing process or applied afterward), or materials such as wood, plastic, silicone, rubber, epoxy, glass, hair, metal, feathers or fiber, designed to attract fish. This does not include anything defined as bait below” (https://cpw.widen.net/s/jh2qfkp7np/colorado-fishing-brochure pp 5).

  • “BAIT means any hand-moldable material designed to attract fish by the sense of taste or smell; those devices to which scents or smell attractants have been added or externally applied (regardless if the scent is added in the manufacturing process or applied afterward) and scented manufactured fish eggs and traditional organic baits, including but not limited to worms, grubs, crickets, leeches, dough baits or stink baits, insects, crayfish, human food, fish, fish parts or fish eggs” (https://cpw.widen.net/s/jh2qfkp7np/colorado-fishing-brochure pp 5).

  • 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 is permitted.

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

  • Only one line per angler can be in use at a time.

9. SAFETY: Safe boating will be always observed. All participants utilizing watercraft must wear a life jacket. There are no lifeguards on duty and all boating is 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 Friday, the day before the tournament. All participants will be notified immediately via the tournament page and Facebook page. 

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 illegal drugs is prohibited. Any possession or use of illegal 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 is expected throughout the competition.

  • All participants are expected to show respect and courtesy to staff members and fellow anglers throughout the event.

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.

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 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 to submit a good picture.

  • Measure it consistently with the following rules:

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

    • The fish’s mouth can be open or closed if some part of the nose/lip is touches 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 at the Wellington Lake Office prior to, and the day of the tournament.

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