I. Participants and Eligibility

A.  Each contestant must complete, sign and submit an official entry form along with the $100 entry fee deposit to Minnesota Teen Challenge.  Upon acceptance, applicants will be entered into the field.  Those who enter after the field is full will be placed on an alternate list.  Confirmations will be mailed or emailed. 

B.  Contestants may pay with a credit card, check or money order.

C.  Sponsorship funds raised to support Teen Challenge (and to be eligible for the special prizes) must be submitted by May, 31, 2010 – minimum per team is $500; there is no maximum, but for each $500, teams will be entered for special prizes.

D.  Contestants must possess Minnesota valid fishing licenses, if necessary.

E.  Any contestant who is not in good physical or mental condition and cannot freely move about the boat without assistance must have a partner who can handle those necessary tasks. 

F.  This is a two-person per boat fishing tournament.  If both contestants are under age 16, a non-fishing guardian or parent must be present.  There is no age limit. 

G.  Each team will represent their church.  One member of each team must be from the church.  All postings on the web, in news releases and from stage will indicate the church each team represents.

II. Scoring

A. The winner’s weight of each division will determine the prize payout for that division.

B. Contestants may fish for the species in one division or compete in as many divisions as they desire.

C. Each team may weigh a maximum of three panfish (bluegill, sunfish, crappie or perch in any combination) in the panfish division.  They may weigh three walleyes in the walleye division.  They may weigh one largemouth or smallmouth bass in the bass division.  They may weigh only one northern pike in that division.

D. Weigh-in headquarters will be at Ernie’s on Gull Lake.

E. In the case of a first-place tie, the tie-breaker will be the earliest fish registered.  Scales open at 10 a.m.  Other ties will be settled by a coin toss.

F. Contestants will place their fish in the appropriate weigh-in basket when directed by tournament officials. 

III. Tournament Format

A. Tournament boundaries are all of the Gull Lake Chain of lakes.

B. Launching will be at any ramp.

C. Contestants may be on the water and at their fishing destinations, but may not begin fishing until 7 a.m. 

D. All boats must return to the designated weigh station and check in with the timekeeper no later than 4 p.m.  The official time will be shown on GPS units.  If boats are in line at the timekeeper’s boat by 4 p.m., they will be considered in on time.  Late boats have until 4:05 p.m. to make it to the timekeeper’s boat, but will sacrifice 50 percent of their weight for each division.

E. Artificial lures and live bait are allowed.

F. Each competitor must observe safe boat conduct, no-wake zones, local navigation rules and demonstrate courtesy at all times.  Contestants must also act in a sportsmanlike manner at all times.

G. Tournament officials reserve the right to disallow the use of any boat they deem unsafe or unsuitable for use in this tournament. 

H. The tournament director will interpret rules according to the spirit and intent of the rule and his decision in all matters is final.

I. All prizes and trophies will be awarded from the weigh-in stage immediately upon completion of the tournament.  Winning contestants must be present to collect their prizes or they will be forfeited.