All guests are required to complete a liability 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. To protect the natural resources and our guests, we patrol the property frequently and will not hesitate to fine guests who are not in compliance with regulations. Please respect our rules so that all visitors, as well as future generations, may enjoy this spectacular place.
Ugly Sucker Contest 2024 Rules
Sucker Contest 2024 Rules
Sucker FISHING TOURNAMENT RULES
1. THE COMMON-SENSE RULE: Our goal as a 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 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 are highly encouraged to preregister online to ensure they will have a spot in the tournament on the day of the event. Pre-registration is $20/Angler.
Please make sure all paperwork is signed before your arrival to ensure the check-in process goes without delay’s.
Note: All pre-registration fees are non-refundable.
Registration is available online up to 24hrs prior to the day of the tournament. When registering a team, you will be required to pay two pre-registration fees, as teams are a minimum of two anglers. All Anglers must be fully registered for the tournament by 10am on November 23rd, 2024. Registration fees include Day Use entry fee into Castle Mountain Recreation Area. Guests may join to spectate Anglers but must pay Day Use fees. Any guest not registered in the tournament may NOT fish the date of the tournament. Reservations are encouraged for all Guests/Day Users.
We have single, tandem, and angler paddle boards kayaks available for rent.
(Availability of equipment is limited and will be reserved first come first serve.)
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 100 participants.
Full payment, registration forms, and a signed waiver must be completed to participate.
4. SCHEDULE: Please visit the tournament web page at www.castlemountainrec.com for full details.
6:30 am: Check-in
7:30 am: Tournament Begins
10:00 am: Registration Closes
3:30 pm: Contest closes, all Anglers must be off the lake and check into the Judge’s Station by 4:30pm.
2:30 pm: Judging station opens.
4:30 pm: Judging station is closed.
Contest results will be posted by 6 PM November 23rd, 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.
6. SCORING:
Sucker Fish must be kept on a stringer or in a basket-style live well in the water.
No coolers or ice chests will be permitted to keep fish. Coolers will be inspected to ensure cooperation with rules and regulations.
· Any trout caught must IMMEDIATELY be returned to the water ALIVE.
· Anyone caught keeping trout will suffer a $100 fine and automatic disqualification.
· End time: Anglers must be off the water by 3:30pm and checked into the judges’ station for official counting by 4:30pm.
· Live Bait will be allowed with use of natural worms and eggs only (to prevent artificial bait from contaminating the lake).
· No Artificial Bait. No Scented Bait.
· Steel weights only, no lead weights.
· Bait is subject to inspection by Rangers. Any Anglers not using the appropriate bait will be issued a warning and any suckers caught will be confiscated. If an Angler is caught a second time not using correct bait, they will be automatically disqualified.
General Scoring Rules
Rangers will measure Sucker fish with an approved bump-board.
Length may be rounded to the nearest quarter of an inch.
· Judges station will open at 2:30 pm.
· End time: Anglers must be off the water by 3:30pm and checked into the judges’ station for official counting by 4:30pm.
· Judges will count fish until everyone has been counted.
· Ties: If there is a tie, it will be broken by a coin flip, officiated by tournament officials.
7. ELIGIBLE FISH: Sucker fish only are eligible to be counted at the Judge’s Station. It is against tournament rules to keep or kill any trout.
8. ELIGIBLE FISHING METHODS: All fish must be caught:
Alive on a conventional rod and reel in a sporting manner.
· Live Bait will be allowed with use of natural worms and eggs only (to prevent artificial bait from contaminating the lake).
“Live Bait” means any organic material that is or was once living, including but not limited to: worms, grubs, crickets, leeches, insects, crayfish, corn, human food, fish, fish parts, or fish eggs.
No Artificial Bait. No Scented Bait.
No Treble Hooks.
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.
Each Angler can have only one line in the water at one time.
9. SAFETY: Safe boating will always be 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 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. Please be courteous of staff and other anglers.
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.
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!