Wisconsin State Ice Fishing Tournament
Wisconsin Ducks Unlimited 2025
1st Annual Ice Fishing Tournament
OFFICIAL RULES
1. The Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, February 8th, 2025 from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Lake Petenwell at the Lure Bar & Grill in Nekoosa. If weather or unsafe ice conditions force the event to be cancelled, all entries will be entered into random drawing for all prizes listed.
2. Paid contestants must pick up and visibly wear/display a Wisconsin Ducks Unlimited contestant tournament badge while fishing during the tournament.
3. Anglers must pick up a tournament badge at the Lure Bar & Grill on either Friday (February 7th, 2025) from 5-7 p.m. or starting at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday (February 8th, 2025) and must be displayed visibly on outer jacket or hat.
4. There will be a total of 40 prizes given out. The 40 largest fish by weight will be eligible to win a prize. In the event of a tie, the first fish registered takes priority. The following species are eligible for this tournament: Northern Pike, Walleye, Sauger, Perch, Crappie, Bluegill, Bullhead, Catfish, Large/Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, and White-bass. NO MUSKIES ALLOWED! There is no separate category for species caught during the tournament.
5. Each person will be allowed to fish a maximum of three lines at any one time. You may register 3 fish per person for the tournament. Tournament anglers are eligible for more than one prize. There is no minimum age requirement on tournament participation.
6. Contestants must drill their own holes starting no earlier than 7:00 a.m. the day of the tournament.
7. Judges shall have the right to verify that fish were legally caught. All fish must be weighed alive (no frozen fish will be allowed to be weighed). The decision of the head judge is final. Contestants are responsible for verification of weight of fish at time of weigh in. When the head judge deems the leader board correct, there will be an inspection period for all contestants to view the board and put forth any comments. After that time, the board will be “official” and no changes will be made.
8. All fish must be caught and the contestants in route to the judge’s stand by 1:30 p.m. You MUST BE IN LINE at the weigh-in by 2:00 p.m. – NO EXCEPTIONS. If you arrive at the weigh-in after 2:00 p.m. you will not be allowed to weigh your fish. Judge’s rule will be final.
9. Contestants must fish only on Lake Petenwell. No other body of water is legal to fish for this tournament. All of Lake Petenwell is open to fishing for this tournament, but anglers must register fish at the Lure Bar & Grill. Tournament badge checks as well as container inspections will be required when accessing the lake for the tournament.
10. Contestants will be allowed to move and drill new holes. You are allowed to bring as many poles as desired, but you can only fish three at a time.
11. The tournament badge is not an automatic entry into any other drawings held the day of the tournament.
12. Entry fee for the tournament is $40.00 per person until February 7th at 7:00 p.m. Entry fee will be $50 on the day of the event.
15. Contestants are responsible for their own safety, actions and property at all times. Ducks Unlimited is not liable for any injuries, accidents, or property loss.
16. Contestants are allowed to use ice shelters; fish houses and wind breaks during the tournament.
17. All laws of the State of Wisconsin will be abided by. No fish may be registered unless Wisconsin law allows it to be kept by state anglers.
18. Prizes are the responsibility of the winners. Prizes must be claimed before the contestant leaves the check-out area, or no later than 4:00 pm on contest day, or they become the property of Wisconsin Ducks Unlimited and will be used for future fundraising. Licensing, registration, transportation, taxes, and all incidental or consequential expenses incurred are the responsibility of the winners.
19. Coolers and large containers are discouraged. No spears allowed. Heaters, chairs, bait pails, depth finders and underwater cameras are allowed. Weighted lines without hooks or bait can be used to check depth prior to 8:00 a.m. No lines are allowed in the water until the start of the contest at 8:00 a.m.
20. Failure to comply with any contest rules subjects contestants to disqualification, as determined by contest officials. Right to refuse to sell and/or revoke a tournament badge to anyone is hereby reserved.
21. The Leader Board will be located near the weigh-in. All efforts will be made to keep the board up to date and accurate. Tournament results remain unofficial until verified by the head judge. After head judge deems leader board accurate contestants will have time to verify the results after which the results will become official and uncontestable. Under no circumstances will the leaderboard become official and uncontestable before 3:00 pm on contest day.
22. All contestants and others hereby consent to the use of any names, photographs or likenesses of themselves to be used in the promotion of our contest, including but not limited to print, radio, television or any other media.
23. After fish are weighed in and registered, they can be released onsite through a hole that will be drilled in the ice or if contestants wish to keep their fish, they will be marked by tournament officials and remain the property of the contestant.
24. Wisconsin Ducks Unlimited would like to thank you for supporting our efforts to protect and enhance the environment and request that you remove refuse, including cigarette butts, from the ice when you leave.
25. Tournament fish include: Northern Pike, Walleye, Sauger, Perch, Crappie, Bluegill, Bullhead, Catfish, Large/Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, and Whitebass. NO MUSKIES ALLOWED!
CHECK BACK IN TO FOR FULL PRIZE LIST IN DECEMBER 10th!!!