Rules & scoring

Showing Summer 2026 details · use the season toggle above

Site rules

Valid fishing license and a registered website account are required to enter the tournament.
Rod and reel only. No nets, traps, snagging, bowfishing or hands.
Catch and release. Fish caught with bait that is consumed (or fish kept/eaten) don't count.
Freshwater only.
Every fish needs a photo showing scale, weight and the angler. One photo per fish; the same photo can never be used twice.
Public waters only. No private ponds or stocked fee-fishing pits.
State regulations apply (seasons, size and creel limits, closed waters).
Stamp species need proof. Trout, for example, require the trout stamp/permit in your License Vault.
Out-of-state fishing requires that state's license for the dates fished, uploaded to your vault.
The date/time of a catch is set by the server when you submit; photo EXIF data is checked and suspicious photos are flagged for admin review.

1 point per whole pound, capped per fish by category: Catfish 10 points; Bass, Panfish, Toothy and Other 5 points. A fish must weigh at least 1 lb to score.
Only verified tournament catches score.
Category winner = most points in that category. Ties: biggest fish in that category, then most fish in it, then total points.
Champion = wins 3 of the 5 categories. If nobody is champion, the highest total points wins.
Diversity bonus: +1 point for every category in which you have at least one scoring fish.
Ribbons are awarded when the season closes: Winner, Runner-up, Biggest Fish, Most Species and Category Champion.

Dates: Mar 1, 2026 – Oct 31, 2026
Registration opens: Feb 1, 2026 (about 1 month before)

Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, Striped Bass, Hybrid Striped Bass

Blue Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Channel Catfish, Bullhead

Crappie, Yellow Perch, Sunfish

Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Chain Pickerel, Northern Snakehead, Alligator Gar

Trout, Carp Any other freshwater species you type in.

Crappie only counts under Panfish, even if typed under "Other".

Rod & Reel combo, Trophy and $150 Cabelas gift card!

The vault calculates expiry from your purchase date. You may always enter an explicit date.

PA: PA license year runs Dec 1 through Dec 31 of the following year.
NY: NY licenses are valid for 365 days from purchase.
OH: OH license year runs Mar 1 through the last day of February.
All other states: Default: expires Dec 31 of the issue year (enter an explicit date if your state differs).