Catch and Release Tourneys

[CatDaddy]

I looked into setting up a league and was informed that there are no live release tourneys in ND - I don't know if I believe it but am not a tourney fisherman or follower. Are there tourneys or leagues that reduce fish to livewell, bring back to weigh in, then release? I got my info directly from fisheries department at Game and Fish in Bismarck.

 

[GSM]

Yes there are catch and release tourneys in ND

 

[CatDaddy]

I was sure there were - she told me that you could get a permit from them but that she was not aware of any being given in recent history....You're talking reputable tourneys that practice legally, correct? I'm sure you are.....seemed like an odd answer from her.

 

[Allen]

The NDGF seems to be leary of having another DL event on their hands. Several years ago there was a C&R tourney on DL. After the tourney there were lots of reports of floaters, I think it was in Creel. Lot of fish didn't make it even though they swam away from the basket.

That being said, I think if you planned on having one early in the season while the water is cool, you may still be able to get a C&R tourney permit. It is, after all, against ND law to release a fish once it has been placed into the livewell. So it's not something they take lightly.

 

[CatDaddy]

looking for an informal league (cumulative) for friends.....want to stay within the law. looks like we'll have to do no (or less than 5 dollars per angler) entry fee and go for pride....catfish on the Red. We'll go with the honor system of weigh and photo, then immediately release. Pride over $$$$ as the reward. I wanted to know (and was sure already) if we could have a weigh-in at the landing. I was sure the answer was "no" unless permit acquired, but wanted to hear it from G&F. got a weird answer in return.

Can anyone name a few C&R tournies, any species?

 

[Ristorapper]

Aim Fishing does have a live catch, photo, release tourney circuit in the upper midwest. more info here:

http://aimfishing.com/division/north-dakota

http://aimfishing.com/

 

[dean nelson]

Devils advocate here and with the whole wasted meat thing to the side wouldn't one fish living be better then all fish dieing? Hell have a couple kids in a little boat rounding up the floaters if need be. Pretty sure the one time I was at the governors cup back in 98 they were sending the fish down a tube and back into the lake.

 

[Ristorapper]

" Pretty sure the one time I was at the governors cup back in 98 they were sending the fish down a tube and back into the lake."

I recall that in the late 1990's and early 2000's at the govs cup before they had us traveling into town to weigh them. That is when I quit fishing that tourney. Sitting in line for the weigh-in in town is like standing in line at the post office!!

 

[Pinecone]

This probably don't help cause it's S.D. But the angustora "Iron Man tourney" is a catch and release with a weigh boat floating in the lake. Catch your two overs and run like hell to weigh. The high plains anglers do a catch and release at Orman damn. There you bring your overs and unders in, weigh them, then release from shore.

 

[Fly Carpin]

Doesn't the Cats Incredible tourney in GF turn 'em loose?

 

[AaronJ]

The Casino in Devils Lake is a C&R format. Released down a tube during weigh-in. It is usually the 2nd weekend of June. The Chamber tourney is always 2 weeks later and is a catch and kill format. If you dont keep your own you can donate the fish to be served at the community-wide fish fry in Devils lake later in the summer.

If I recall correctly July 1-August 31 all tourneys are mandated catch and kill due to warm water release mortality concerns. I could be off a bit on the dates.

 

[Petras]

The Van Hook Classic is a C&R tourney. They have a bunch of boats located on various islands to do measurement, recording and releasing of fish. no more than 3 fish in the boat at a time. http://www.vanhookclassic.com/#!rules

 

[Enslow]

The fish once that water gets warmer and get stuck in the livewell dont survive very well. I saw a bunch of pigs floating at the casino by DL back when they did release tourneys. They wouldnt allow us to clean them either. I had a slip there and my neighbor boat had a jet ski and would run around the bay and net the floaters. He got his ass chewed when they saw him doing that.

 

[zoops]

Doesn't the Cats Incredible tourney in GF turn 'em loose?

They definitely used to. Haven't been to a weigh in for probably >10 years though, may have changed. Can't imagine the survival rate was great in late July/August.

 

[Plain Skeeter]

It is illegal to place a fish in a livewell and then release it. The AIM tournaments can involve $ because the fish never hits the livewell. You net it, hold it for the picture, measure it and then it goes back.

 

[Casey D]

The only time you cant have a catch and release tourney in ND is July 1- Aug 31. Then its catch and kill.

 

[LiebelsGuide]

The AIM format is the best for C&R, best for the fish, best for the fisherman, and completely legal within all G&F Rules.

 

[CatDaddy]

Thanks for all the input guys. I think we'll likely go with AIM to start the league with and go from there....

 

[Captainbrad]

check this out. www.rrvcatfish.com