1000 Islands Gananoque Big Bass Challenge - St Lawrence

Registrations will be accepted beginning January 7^th, 2012. 

For tickets please mail completed entry form with cheque or money order

($35.00 + $4.55 HST) to:

Big Bass Challenge

C/O Garry Fisher

465 Garden Street

Gananoque, Ontario

K7G 1J6

1000 Islands Big Bass Challenge Official Rules 2012

1. Official competition hours are from 6:00am am to 3:00pm, July 7^th & 8^th 2012. Scales will open at 8:00am sharp and remain open until 3:00pm to anglers on a first come first serve basis. Eligible competition waters will be limited to the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario.

2. All fish must be legally hooked on legal tackle. Any evidence of net, gaff or snag marks will immediately disqualify that fish from competition.

3. Participation in the 1000 Islands Big Bass Challenge event is open to all ages.

Kids under the age of 16 are free to enter the competition with a participating adult.  Kids must present the adult ticket at the time of weigh in.

(Participants under the age of 16 who wish to purchase a ticket must provide written parental/guardian consent at the time of registration and must fish with an angler over the age of 21.

4. All Participants must comply with Ontario fishing regulations *

5. Every person in your boat must have a 1000 Islands Big Bass Challenge ticket on them at all times (except kids with participating adults) otherwise all persons in the boat will be disqualified from the competition.

6. All fish entered, must have been hooked and played to landing by the angler entering such fish. Any attempt, in any manner, to falsify entries, will result in disqualification and prizes forfeited.

7. Each contestant will be required to sign an affidavit attesting to the validity of any prize winning entry. The entry ticket must be presented at the time of weigh in.

8. Each participating boat must have some sort of live well system to insure that fish are presented alive at the time of weigh in. Fish will be inspected and verified to be alive before being taken to the scales.

9. All prize winning fish must be confirmed as a "live released" by officials at the official release check point

10. All decisions by the Judges will be final.

11. One Big Fish prize will be awarded each hour starting at 8:00am until 3:00pm on July 7^th and 8^th, 2012.

12. In the event of a tie weight, the first fish weighed during the respected hourly period will take the priority position. Each fish may win only one hourly prize.

13. Prize winners are responsible for taxes, titles and license fees where applicable.

14. 1000 Islands Big Bass Challenge organizers and/or its sponsors will not be liable for injury to any person, contestant or spectator and will not be responsible for any loss or damage to property. Contestants compete in this event at their own risk.

According to www.famillyfishingweekend.com

**Fish license-free! Take a friend fishing!

Ontario Family Fishing (OFFW) events make it easy to try fishing in Ontario waters for the first time (or the first time in a long time). Twice a year, the government of Ontario designates several days during which Canadian residents can fish license-free in any water body where fishing is allowed.

Upcoming OFFW Dates:

February 18-20, 2012 (12:01 a.m. Saturday to 11:59 p.m. Monday) and July 7-15, 2012(12:01 a.m. Friday to 11:59 p.m. Sunday) are designated as OFFW license-free fishing days. During all other periods, most Canadian residents between the ages of 18 and 64 years must purchase an OUTDOORS card and a fishing license to legally fish in Ontario.

OFFW participants fish under the Conservation fishing license limits which are set out in the current Ontario Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary. With the exception of the licensing requirement, Ontario fishing regulations, fees and limits continue to apply during OFFW days. Copies of the regulations are posted on the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources website, and are available in print at Service Ontario centers and other fishing license issuers, and a variety of other outlets.

OFFW events such as festivals, clinics, derbies and workshops are hosted across the province. To find an event happening near you, visit the OFFW events page, call the OFFW organizer at 705-748-6324or contact your local tourism information centre.

Anglers, you can help shape the future of fishing in Ontario! Please tell your non-angling friends and family about OFFW opportunities, invite someone new to go fishing with you, and consider hosting an OFFW event in your community.

Always fish with care and concern for our precious natural resources.