Rules & FAQ

Phase 1:
Registration begins on January 1, 2024, for returning intact teams from 2023 (same two people as last year). Intact 2023 teams receive priority to enter the 2024 Leech Lake Walleye Tournament on a first come first served basis. To receive priority for participation in this year’s tournament, your completed Tournament Entry along with the Entry Fee of $450.00 per team must be received on the tournament website by January 15, 2024.

Phase 2:
Open for a returning 2023 registered angler with a new partner. Registration for Phase 2 will open Jan 16, 2024, and must be completed by January 31. These openings will be filled on a first come, first served basis.

Phase 3:
Any team openings remaining on or after February 1, 2024, will be opened to the public on a first-come-first-served basis. During Phase 3, a waiting list will be established for any teams over 155.

All photos must be taken through the FishDonkey app and measurements must be on a “Judge” measuring board.

“Judge” measuring boards will be inspected on both mornings prior to tournament launch. Measuring board length markings must be clearly legible. No alterations or enhanced lines will be allowed.

• Fish should be recorded immediately, and measurements noted by length.
• All submissions must include ONLY two photographs and 1 video: 1) Measurement Shot – pic of fish on measuring board 2) Hero Shot – A pic of you holding the fish. 3) A release video of the fish going back into the water.

1st photo Measurement Shot

• Place the fish on the “Judge” measuring board with the left side up, the belly of the fish down (facing the team member) when measuring the fish
• You may not insert anything inside the gill plate of the fish while measuring.
• Tail must be pinched, the tail centrally located on the “Judge” measuring board.
• Absolutely NO hands, fingers, or props are allowed under the fish to alter fish length.
• The team agrees on the length of the fish to ¼ inch accuracy.
• If the tail fin touches or crosses a graduation line on the ruler the official length of the fish for scoring purposes will be lengthened to the next one quarter of an inch line of the “Judge” measuring board.
• Example: 19 ¾” Fish will count as a 20” Legal “under” fish.
• Example: 20” fish will count as a 20 ¼” Legal “over” fish. It will be considered one of your “overs”
• Minimum size for walleyes is 14 inches.
• Legal fish must be at least 14”.
• Example: A 13 ¾” is not a legal fish – will not be rounded up.
• While the fish is being held on the “Judge” measuring board – take the scoring photo which clearly shows the overall length of the fish.
• The head and tail of the fish must be included and show clearly.
• The photograph must be taken of the left side of the fish only.
• A photo that does not clearly show the overall length of the fish including head and tail and the left side of the fish on the “Judge” measuring board will not be scored.
• Be sure you have a clear photo including all requirements, failure to submit a scoring shot will result in that fish being denied.

2nd Photo – Hero Shot

• Photo must be taken of the fish being held up by one team member.
• These photos will be used for technical evaluation and may be used on stage during the awards ceremony or posted to media outlets.
• Failure to submit a hero shot will result in the fish denied.

3rd Release Video

• A video must show the live release of the fish back into the water.
• Failure to submit a release video or a careless release will result in the fish being denied.
• Reference the videos on the LLWT website on correct pictures and videos.
• Failure to submit 2 photos and 1 video will result in fish denial.

The interpretation and enforcement of the rules is at the sole discretion of the directors.

The tournament directors may change rules or impose sanctions as they deem appropriate, including but not limited to disqualifications, forfeiture of prizes, and prohibition from competing in future tournaments. All decisions made by the tournament directors are final.

All participants must be off the water by 3 P.M. the day before the tournament. Fishing is allowed only during tournament hours thereafter. From 3:00 P.M. the day before the tournament through the events conclusion, direct travel to and from boat docks and or docking facility is the ONLY lake travel allowed.

Boat positioning will be determined by witnessed random draw.

Attendance is mandatory by at least one team member at the Rules and Procedure Meeting on Thursday May 30, 2024 at 6:00 pm at the Northern Lights Casino & Hotel. Failure to register and check-in BEFORE the start of the rules meeting results in disqualification for the tournament.

1. Teams must check in each morning prior to the tournament starting. Check in may begin at 5:30 am.
2. Teams must remain within tournament boundaries during the tournament hours.
3. All team members must remain in their boats each day during tournament hours.
4. In the case of an emergency, teams may leave their boat to enter another team’s boat or rescue craft. In such a situation, partners must remain within sight of each other until they reach tournament headquarters.
5. Teams must abide by all local navigation laws and AVOID RESTRICTED AREAS AT ALL TIMES.

Tournament dates are Friday & Saturday, May 31st  & June 1st, 2024

Tournament waters include all navigable waters of Leech Lake east to Highway 8 and west excluding Benedict Lake.

Fishing in Kabekona Lake and Steamboat Lake is prohibited.

Fishing hours begin at 7:00 A.M. with the boats departing in numerical order.

Boats will not be required to return to the docks at the end of fishing. The app will turn off at 3:00pm each day to end fish entry.

The order of field is reversed on the morning of Day 2.

• Artificial and live bait are allowed.
• Only one line per competitor is allowed.
• Any cellular phone and radio communications (broadcasting and/or monitoring) during tournament hours, other than contact with tournament director, submitting Fish documentation, or in the case of emergency or for safety reasons is prohibited.
• Any magnified viewing device used to observe competitors is not allowed.
• Competing Press members must obtain permit to carry professional camera equipment.
• The Leech Lake Walleye Tournament is a catch/photo/release tournament.
• Each contestant should do all they can to ensure the wellbeing of their catch.
• Only Walleyes will be weighed.
• The tournament will include 3 fish under 20 inches and 2 fish over 20 inches.

• Each participant must always observe safe boat conduct.
• Each participant is required to wear Coast Guard Approved chest-type life preserver, which is fully secured whenever the main combustion engine is running above idling speed.
• Instant engine stop switches must be operating and used properly when contestants are using the main engine above trolling speeds.
• Main combustion engine horsepower may not exceed the Coast Guard B.I.A. or N.M.M.A. horsepower rating plate on the boat.
• Boat registration numbers on all boats must be clear and identifiable.
• All boats must carry a minimum of $100,000 liability insurance.
• Use of alcohol or drugs (other than those prescribed by a licensed physician; or purchased over the counter), during the tournament is prohibited. Violation of this rule may result in disqualification from present and future events.
• Tournament officials reserve the right to delay, cancel or restrict tournaments waters in case of severe weather.
• During the tournament, official weather announcements will be made through the app in which the tournament is happening.
• In the event of a thunderstorm, lighting and/or severe weather, contestants may pull into the nearest shoreline until it is safe to continue fishing.
• Contestants may not leave their boats during tournament hours unless severe weather forces them ashore.
• Tournament officials reserve the right to disallow the use of any boat and/or motor they deem to be unsafe, inappropriate, or unsuitable for use.
• The Tournament Director’s decision in this matter is final and may be made at any time.

• All contestants will be expected to always act in a sportsmanlike manner towards non-competitors and competitors alike. This shall include the areas of safety, conservation, and courtesy. Violators of this rule will be subject to disqualification.
• Any unfavorable conduct or action by a competitor which could negatively reflect on the Leech Lake Walleye Tournament will be grounds for disqualification and/or future rejection of entry application.
• During tournament’s fishing hours, contestants will not discuss techniques, tactics, or fishing spots with any other contestant; nor will they be allowed to receive fishing information from non-competitors.
• Non-competitors are not allowed to anchor or hold spots for contestants.

• Contestants are responsible for knowing tournament rules as well as state and local rules and regulations, which pertain to the tournament waters.
• Any team violating state or local rules may be disqualified at the discretion of the Tournament Director.
• All protests must be lodged with the Tournament Director in writing ½ hour of completion of daily weigh- in. (3:30 pm)
• Following interviews with concerned parties, a ruling will be made.
• The Tournament Director will interpret rules accordingly to the spirit and intent of the rule and his decision in all disputes is final.
• A $100.00 fee must accompany protest. Tournament officials reserve the right to polygraph any contestant. Failure to return the assigned boat number card may result in disqualification from the Leech Lake Walleye Tournament.
• If rules infractions are brought to the Tournament Director’s attention at any time, and investigation proves a violation occurred, a penalty of daily and/or tournament weight may be made. Also, cash prizes and awards must be returned if requested.