Answers to questions about fishing contests
If you're planning a fishing contest, you will need to do several things.
Fishing contests in Utah are governed by rule R657-58: Fishing Contests and Clinics.
Before holding your contest, you may need to apply for a Certificate of Registration (COR) — depending on your contest’s size, targeted species, location and prizes.
To learn about all of the requirements for holding a fishing contest in Utah, you should read the fishing contest rule.
For a summary of when you would need a COR, you can refer to the answers to the common questions below.
Answers to fishing contest Certificate of Registration (COR) questions
Answer: According to the DWR administrative rule, a COR is required for fishing contests that involve any of the following:
- 50 or more participants
- 25 or more boats
- Awards of $2,000 or more in cash, prizes or a combination of the two
- A live weigh-in
- Utilization of tagged fish
You must also ensure that all contest participants decontaminate their boats according to the directions on the Invasive Aquatic Species self-certification form, and display their completed form in the windshield of their boat for the duration of the fishing contest. (If you are running the fishing contest, it is your responsibility as the contest sponsor to make sure every boat has completed the self-certification form.)
Contests that involve more than 200 participants, $2,000 in prizes, or utilize live weigh-ins are not allowed for coldwater species. There is no limit in the number of participants or total prizes for coldwater species at Flaming Gorge and Echo Reservoirs. For details and the definition of warmwater and coldwater species, please read the rule, R657-58, or download the Type I fishing contest guidelines.
Answer: To apply for a COR, download and complete the application form and submit it—at least 45 days before the proposed contest date—to the Salt Lake City DWR office.
In addition to the application, you’ll also need to submit a $10 nonrefundable handling fee and the proposed contest rules. The proposed contest rules must include a complete schedule of entry fees, cash awards and prize values, and the written protocol for disinfecting boats and preventing the spread of aquatic nuisance species that will be provided to participants.
If your Type I contest is approved, you will also be required to pay a fee based on the number of participants.
Answer: The application for a COR for a tagged fish contest is the same as the application for a Type I contest, however, the requirements are different.
Among other differences, only one tagged fish contest can be held on a waterbody that is approved for that type of contest. Also, the application must be submitted between December 1 and 31 in the year prior to when you would like to hold your contest. (For example, to hold a tagged fish contest in 2011, you would have to submit your contest between December 1–31, 2009.)
Answer: Except for legal holidays and Free Fishing Day, you can hold a contest any day of the year.
Search Wildlife
