St. Lawrence International Junior Carp Tournament

Hosted by the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce

August 14-16, 2008
Hosted by the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce

Rules:

1. Only paid registrants will be allowed to fish in the contest. Contestants must wear ID at all times. Authorized ID will be supplied by the St. Lawrence International Junior Carp Tournament (SLIJCT). Registrants must be from ages 11 through 18 on the days of the tournament. For the adult division, a parents/guardians/adult relative or adult assigned as a mentor to a child of an eligible paid youth may register for the division. A signed release is required from a parent or guardian with the entry free. One parent or guardian/adult must be present with the youth contestant while fishing.
2. Parents and youth should be aware they are also signing notification that if a youth accepts prize money above and beyond their cost to enter and travel to the tournament, it could affect their eligibility status in Division I and II NCAA sports, regardless of the type of sport. Eligibility status is determined at the time of the youths entrant into sports and is handled on a case by case basis by the NCAA.
3. Registrants will fish in pre-designed areas only. Fishing from private property is prohibited. Contest areas will be chosen by random lottery.
4. All eligible fish will be of the carp species (Cyprinus carpio) which includes genetic variants such as mirror or leather carp.
5. All eligible fish must be taken from the marshaled and assigned contest areas of the St. Lawrence River in U.S. waters from bank side only during the contest hours of 7 a.m. to Noon and 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, 7 a.m. to Noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
6. All fish must be presented LIVE to the official weigh master in your designed area for weight determination. Fish will be handled with the best of care, treated with respect and returned to their habitat in the best condition after weighing. Dead fish are not eligible. Winners are determined by the total weight of the heaviest 4 fish per participant caught during the hours of the tournament. Keep sacks will be allowed, stringers are prohibited.
7. If any catch is determined to meet or match any New York or Unites States fishing records for this species, the SLIJCT will provide the needed certification to an on-premises representative of CAG (Carp Angler's Group) for its entry into published record book in exchange for credit and mention of the circumstances and place of the catch. Such entry, however, shall be the responsibility of the fisher.
8. Loading of any catch with rocks, lead shot, marbles, or any other devises or objects to increase the weight is strictly prohibited. The SLIJCT reserves the right to inspect any fish if tampering is suspected. If tampering is verified, the registrant will be disqualified without any refund of entry fees. All decisions of the marshal and committee are final.
9. Each entrant is allowed ONE rod. Fishers cannot use trot line or treble hooks. Fish can be taken only on hook and line and cannot be caught with any other means. Bow fishing, firearm shooting, spearing, wading, boating or other methods will disqualify the entrant.
10. The youth with the heaviest total weight of up to 4 fish will be declared the first place winner in each respective divisions. The divisions include: Boys aged 11-14, Boys aged 15-18, Girls age 11-14, Girls age 15-18. There is also an adult division with no separation between gender. All fish caught will be recorded by the marshals.
11. The four heaviest fish of each youth will be considered for the bonus prize of $10,000. Weight of the 4 heaviest fish must be 100 lbs or more. If more than one youth reaches the mark, the youth with the greatest weight of 4 fish over the 100 lbs will the bonus prize.
12. Team Prize: A prize will be awarded to those designating themselves as a team. A team will consist of no more than 4 youth. The 4 heaviest fish of each youth will be used in calculating the teams score.
13. No one but the contestant will be allowed at the bank side for fishing. Marshals will keep onlookers, including family of the fisher, behind designated markers and rope. Each entrant will fish ONLY at their lottery chosen designated peg. Family and onlookers can bring comfortable seating to watch the event from the gallery areas.
14. Only the registrant can fish - no substituting or handling of fish, by an onlooker or family member will be allowed. Marshals and weigh masters will assist the fishers. Anyone fighting a fish at the 7 p.m. close of the day will be allowed to play the hooked fish. Adults fishing with youth, may not assist the youth. Only marshals can assist fishers. No swapping of poles or positions in allowed. If the youth’s line is in the water, they must be at the pole attending to it. They may be seated at the peg location.
15. By virtue of entry and registration, each participant agrees that his/her photography and name may be used without compensation or fees; said photo and name may be used by the SLIJCT to publicize the tournament and future events
16. All fishing activities will be in full compliance with local, state and federal laws and licensing. This event will be monitored by officials representing law enforcement.
17. Each participant 16 years and older is required to hold a valid fishing license for this event. Each participant agrees to abide by and be personally responsible to and for any violations. In the case of a minor participant, parent or guardians will assume responsibility. Environmental laws include litter, so please leave your area as pristine as you found it.
18. Dress appropriately for weather conditions. First aid and emergency needs should be reported immediately to the marshal for your area.
19. The tournament will accommodate any entrant with physical limitations or disability. Please notify the host prior to the event so arrangements can be made.
20. In the event of dangerous weather or any other occurence that tournament officials determine could put any participant, marshal, volunteer, sponsor, or spectator in harm's way, the tournament officials reserve the right to cancel or suspend the tournament. Should a cancellation or suspension happen, marshals will be notified by the command center. The cancellation or suspension action will include the entire course and not solely the area where the real, acticipated, or perceived danger occurs. These decision are inposed to assure the safety of everyone involved and done so to be equally fair to everyone competing - despite location disparity. The decision is final and indisputable.