Wausau Area Muskies Inc. Chapter 62 – Wausau, Wisconsin

2020 Central WI Open Musky Tournament

Catch and Release Tournament Rules & Regulations Tournament Date: June 6, 2020

Fishing Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

1. This is a one day tournament open to men, women, and youth. All participants must sign a Release of Liability. Youth participants under the age of (18) must have their Release of Liability signed by a parent/legal guardian. This waiver must be received by June 4th. No Exceptions.

2. Registration and Entry: The entry fee is $100 per boat. If mailed, registration along with payment must be postmarked no later than May 29nd, 2020. Entry payment via PayPal will be accepted until June 4th, 2020. Entry fees are refundable prior to May 29nd. After May 29nd, entry fees will not be refunded—No Exceptions. There will be no at the door entry this year!

3. Voluntary Big Fish Pool: $10 per angler for big musky, $5 per angler for big pike. Winner take all in each respective category. In the event of a tie, the winning fish texted in first to the Registrar will win the pool. (See item #16). Big Fish entry fees will be collected in advance along with your entry fees, due to the lack of an in person registration meeting this year. The Big Fish Pools are 100% payout. In the event that no fish are registered in a given category, the pool will be filled by random draw of participants from that category.

4. All muskies 30” and longer are eligible for entry. Each entry must be accompanied by a digital photograph on a legible bump board. Photograph must contain a discernible picture of the fish AND a tournament director distributed token which will be given to each participant prior to the tournament (see item #7). Pike are to be measured in a similar fashion for the voluntary big pike pool. The minimum for big pike pool entry is 28.” * Note – bump boards are required for measurement. Bump boards are to be made available for inspection upon the request of the Tournament Committee.

5. Tournament waters consist of the following lake groups: Lake Wausau and Rib River Mosinee Flowage: South of Rothschild Domtar Dam to Mosinee Hydro Dam Lake DuBay: South of Mosinee Hydro Dam to the DuBay Dam Stevens Point Flowage: DuBay Dam south to Hwy 66/Clark Street Bridge

6. Participants must select and rank all four (4) choices of lake groups at the time of their entry, in order to of their preference. No more than 19 boats will be permitted on each lake group (13 boats for Mosinee Flowage). Due to social distancing guidelines in effect as of the writing of these rules, we request you submit your preferred boat landing. If similar federal or state distancing guidelines are in place at the time of the tournament, we will cap each landing at two boats or have scheduled launching prior to tournament hours (for example: 5:30 am, 5:40 am, 5:50 am to stagger 3 boats, etc.). Awarding of lake groups, and boat launch preference if necessary, will be dictated by date and time of entry – No Exceptions.

7. Pre-Tournament Meeting. At least one participant from each boat must be present—No Exceptions. Friday, June 5th, 2020 at 7 pm via the Zoom app. You will receive the invite via text or email from the tournament director the day prior to the meeting. Tournament tokens

will be distributed via email and printed from home. Boat numbers and lake groups will be assigned, boat numbers will also be sent via email and printed from home.

8. Allowable fishing methods include casting, jigging, or trolling with artificial lures. Only one line per angler is allowed. No live bait is allowed.

9. All USCG and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources boating and fishing regulations are to be followed. Tournament participants are required to wear a PFD while operating their large outboards while motoring. All contestants age 14 and under MUST wear a PFD at all times when on the water by state law. In addition, tournament participants are to follow the federal, state, and local social distancing guidelines in place at the time of the tournament. Please see the attached social distancing guidelines in effect at the time of this writing. We will go over current guidelines at the rules meeting. Failure to follow prescribed laws and regulations which result in citation on tournament day will disqualify the angler in question.

10. Fish must be hooked and played by one person. Assistance to land (net) a musky is permitted, however please follow the social distancing guidelines in place at the time of the tournament!

11. All tournament legal 30” or longer muskies must be released immediately after measurement and photographs. Measurement of the length must be performed and at least one (1) photograph must be on a bump board along with the tournament token. Please use due diligence in minimizing the handling stress on these magnificent fish! A fish that dies must be taken into possession by the angler. That angler must desist from fishing immediately. A dead fish cannot be registered in a catch and release tournament!

12. Tournament standings will be determined by total length of legal fish caught. The boat that catches the highest total (in inches) of fish will be declared the winner. For example, if boat #1 enters two muskies 34” and 39.25” their total is 73.25 inches

13. Muskies 30” or longer must be registered immediately after release by texting the Tournament Registrar at (715) 498-2016. Provide your name, your boat #, and the length of the fish to the nearest quarter inch (downward) along with a bumpboard photograph. Last text registration will be accepted at 4:15 p.m. to the Tournament Registrar– NO Exceptions. There will be no paper official registration forms this year as there is no in person awards meeting. The awards meeting will be held at 5:00 p.m. via the Zoom app. Also, we will be drawing for door prizes at this virtual meeting. All participants are guaranteed a prize!

14. If your boat is assigned a PIT reader, we encourage the participants to scan ANY musky caught for a PIT tag—regardless of fish length. The recorded information is to be turned over at the time of the catch registration. This information is valuable to the DNR and we would appreciate your cooperation in obtaining it, provided it does not put the fish at unnecessary risk.

15. Prizes include a cash payout for the first 3 places. Payout will be based on 60% of the entry fees and distributed by a 45:30:25 ratio (i.e. 50 boats=$5,000 total entries, $3,000 total payout, 1st place $1,350, 2nd place $900, 3rd place $750). In the event that less than 3 boats catch eligible muskies, any remaining payouts will be filled through a random drawing of the remaining boats. Winners will receive their earnings by check through the mail.

16. In the event a boat’s position is challenged by another contestant, a written protest must be provided to the Tournament Committee.

17. The Tournament Committee is the final judge of all tournament rules. No Exceptions. 18. If there is any questions concerning the 2020 Central WI Open Musky Tournament, please

call: Tyler Kennedy, President, WAMI (715) 498-2016

2020 Central WI Open Musky Tournament

Lake Groups Selection List The tournament includes three (4) different lake groups in the Wausau area. These lake groups include:

Lake Wausau and Rib River Mosinee Flowage: Below Rothschild Domtar Dam to

Mosinee Hydro Dam Lake DuBay: South of Mosinee Hydro dam including entire

body of Lake DuBay Stevens Point Flowage: DuBay Dam south to Clark Street

Bridge When you register for the tournament (see entry form), you will be asked to select/rank the three (4) lake groups in order of preference. No more than nineteen (19) tournament boats will be awarded to each lake group (13 for Mosinee). Awarding of lake groups will be done on a “first come-first served” basis in order of entries received on a website. A document will be posted and updated periodically on the website to show lake groups awarded by entry. In addition, please state your preferred boat launch location. Due to social distancing guidelines, we will be limiting the amount of boats at a given landing, and if necessary, use staggered launch times to ensure that participants do not congregate at the landing. This requirement will be waived if the appropriate guidelines in place at the time of the tournament permit. There will be no “tournament take-off” as different lake groups exist. Fishing hours will be from 6 AM to 4 PM and the honor system will be used for start and end times. Please show good sportsmanship and adhere to start and end times. Official tournament time synchronization will take place at the pre-tournament meeting (mandatory attendance) on Friday evening, June 5th, at 7 PM via the Zoom app. Please be polite and follow social distancing guidelines at the boat launch. Thank you for fishing the 2020 Central Wisconsin Open Musky Tournament. We greatly appreciate your participation and understanding in the changes we have made to operate this tournament safely and in accordance to governmental guidelines! Have Fun and Good Luck!!!

Entry Form for 2020 Central WI Open Musky Tournament June 6th, 2020 Participant 1 Name ___________________________________________ *Membership: ___ WAMI ___Wausau Musky League ___WILMA Participant 2 Name ___________________________________________ *Membership: ___ WAMI ___Wausau Musky League ___WILMA Phone Number ______________________________________ Rank order of Lakes (1-4; 1 is your first preference) ____ Lake Wausau and Rib River Preferred Landing:_____________________________ ____ Mosinee Flowage: South of Rothschild Domtar dam to Mosinee Hydro dam Preferred Landing:_____________________________ ____ Lake DuBay: South of Mosinee Hydro dam and all of Lake DuBay Preferred Landing:_____________________________ ____Stevens Point Flowage: South of DuBay Dam to Clark Street Bridge Preferred Landing:______________________________ *For our tracking purposes only. Boat Numbers/Lakes will be assigned by date of receipt of entry form(s). Boat landings will be assigned by date of receipt of entry. If federal and state guidelines are loosened by the date of the tournament, these restrictions will be waived. Please remember to attach payment for all entries ($100/boat) Please make checks payable to Wausau Area Muskies Inc. Please remember to attach liability form(s).

Payment via PayPal is accepted; please send payment f/f to tylerckennedy1982@yahoo.com and include musky tournament in description. Please send paperwork promptly to the email address listed above! Any questions or to check on the status of your entry, please call or text (715)498-2016. Mail entry form: Tyler Kennedy, President Wausau Area Muskies Inc 741 Bliss Ave Stevens Point, WI 54481

RELEASE OF LIABILITY – READ BEFORE SIGNING

Participant’s Name & Address:

(Please Print) IN CONSIDERATION of being permitted to participate among and on boats under the auspices of Muskies, Inc. International and Wausau Area Muskies, Inc., I acknowledge, appreciate, and agree that: 1.

“I am aware of the inherent risk associated with fishing and boating, including but not limited to the risks of collisions with other boats and stationary objects in and around the lake, including rocks, reefs or piers, or other vehicles and trailers at landing areas. I am familiar with other risks up to and including death by drowning associated with rough water, changing weather patterns, heavy winds, and lightning storms. I expressly assume all risks associated with this tournament and I hereby release Muskies, Inc. International and the Wausau Area Chapter of Muskies, Inc., the host, sponsors, and event officials from all claims of negligence resulting from injury and/or property damages incurred in connection with the tournament.”

2.

I knowingly and freely assume all such risks, both known and unknown, even if arising from the negligence of those persons released from liability below, and assume full responsibility for my participation; and

3.

I will comply with all rules and regulations. If I have any question or observe any unusual or unnecessary hazard during my participation, I will immediately bring such to the attention of the nearest official; and

4.

I, for myself and on behalf of my heirs, assigns, personal representatives, and next of kin, hereby release, indemnify, and hold harmless the Muskies, Inc. International and Wausau Area Muskies, Inc., the owners and lessors of premises used to conduct the event, their officers, officials, (“Releasees”), with respect to any and all injury, disability, death, or loss or damage to person or property, whether caused by the negligence of the Releasees or otherwise, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

I have read this release of liability and assumption of risk agreement, fully understand its terms, understand that I have given up substantial rights by signing it, and sign it freely and voluntarily without any inducement.

X

Date Signed:

Participant’s Signature

FOR PARTICIPANTS OF MINORITY AGE (Under Age 18 at Time of Registration)

This is to certify that I, as parent/guardian of this participant, do consent and agree to his/her indemnification, release and hold harmless as provided above of all Releasees, and I, for myself and behalf of my heirs, assigns, and next of kin, hereby release, indemnify, and hold harmless the Releasees from any and all claims incident to my child’s involvement in these programs even if arising out of the negligence of the Releasees, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

X

Date Signed:

Parent/Guardian’s Signature

RELEASE OF LIABILITY – READ BEFORE SIGNING

Participant’s Name & Address:

(Please Print) IN CONSIDERATION of being permitted to participate among and on boats under the auspices of Muskies, Inc. International and Wausau Area Muskies, Inc., I acknowledge, appreciate, and agree that: 1.

“I am aware of the inherent risk associated with fishing and boating, including but not limited to the risks of collisions with other boats and stationary objects in and around the lake, including rocks, reefs or piers, or other vehicles and trailers at landing areas. I am familiar with other risks up to and including death by drowning associated with rough water, changing weather patterns, heavy winds, and lightning storms. I expressly assume all risks associated with this tournament and I hereby release Muskies, Inc. International and the Wausau Area Chapter of Muskies, Inc., the host, sponsors, and event officials from all claims of negligence resulting from injury and/or property damages incurred in connection with the tournament.”

2.

I knowingly and freely assume all such risks, both known and unknown, even if arising from the negligence of those persons released from liability below, and assume full responsibility for my participation; and

3.

I will comply with all rules and regulations. If I have any question or observe any unusual or unnecessary hazard during my participation, I will immediately bring such to the attention of the nearest official; and

4.

I, for myself and on behalf of my heirs, assigns, personal representatives, and next of kin, hereby release, indemnify, and hold harmless the Muskies, Inc. International and Wausau Area Muskies, Inc., the owners and lessors of premises used to conduct the event, their officers, officials, (“Releasees”), with respect to any and all injury, disability, death, or loss or damage to person or property, whether caused by the negligence of the Releasees or otherwise, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

I have read this release of liability and assumption of risk agreement, fully understand its terms, understand that I have given up substantial rights by signing it, and sign it freely and voluntarily without any inducement.

X

Date Signed:

Participant’s Signature

FOR PARTICIPANTS OF MINORITY AGE (Under Age 18 at Time of Registration)

This is to certify that I, as parent/guardian of this participant, do consent and agree to his/her indemnification, release and hold harmless as provided above of all Releasees, and I, for myself and behalf of my heirs, assigns, and next of kin, hereby release, indemnify, and hold harmless the Releasees from any and all claims incident to my child’s involvement in these programs even if arising out of the negligence of the Releasees, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

X

Date Signed:

Parent/Guardian’s Signature

April 21st, 2020 Subject: Tournament Permit Notification Dear Tournament Organizer: Thank you for your interest in Wisconsin’s recreational fishery. The purpose of this letter is to provide additional information regarding your approved tournament permit in response to Gov. Evers’ Safer at Home Emergency Order #28 issued on April 16 (hereafter, “Safer at Home Order”) and Wis. Stat. § 29.403(2). Please note that the issuance of a tournament permit from the Department of Natural Resources does not supersede or exempt your event or its participants from the Safer at Home Order and any other local, state, or federal Executive or Emergency Orders pertaining to COVID-19. Tournament organizers should check with local municipalities for updates on public property closures that might affect their events. While the Safer at Home Order recognizes outdoor activity as an essential activity, all fishing activities are required to comply with the Order. To help slow the spread of COVID-19, the Safer at Home Order prohibits public gatherings and requires social distancing – the practice of always staying 6 feet away from others outside of household members. As a tournament organizer, you are responsible for complying with all applicable COVID-19 orders, including the Safer at Home Order. The Safer at Home Order will be in effect until May 26, 2020, or until further order by the Governor. To ensure safety of the participants, their families, and their communities, the following conditions apply to all tournaments occurring while the Safer at Home Order is in effect:

1. All organizers and participants must maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet at all times, including when in boats, unless the individuals reside in the same living unit or household

2. No in-person gatherings for registration; registration should be done by phone or online 3. Tournament formats must be modified to prevent public gatherings. Tournament organizers must use staggered

start and end times and formats must include catch-photo-release, electronic weigh ins or staggered weigh ins. 4. All social components that involve in-person gatherings must be cancelled

The Department will consider any requests to reschedule fishing tournaments on a first come-first serve basis. Please contact Joe Bevington, Statewide Tournament Coordinator, with any questions or if you will be cancelling or rescheduling your event: Joe Bevington Bureau of Fisheries Management (608) 264-9257 Joseph.Bevington@Wisconsin.gov As this is a rapidly evolving situation, please check back regularly for updates or follow @WIDNR on Facebook, @wi_dnr on Instagram, or @WDNR on Twitter. Thank you for your patience and doing your part to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Sincerely,

Keith Warnke Division Administrator, Fish, Wildlife and Parks

Tony Evers, Governor Preston D. Cole, Secretary

Telephone 608-266-2621 Toll Free 1-888-936-7463

TTY Access via relay - 711

State of Wisconsin DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES 101 S. Webster Street Box 7921

Madison WI 53707-7921

dnr.wi.gov wisconsin.gov

Keep Social Distancing at the Boat Launch, give others space to load and unload their boat.