2022 Iowa Walleye Challenge 

May 1 - June 30 2022

1. Getting Started

1. The Iowa Walleye Challenge is an online tournament run through Angler’s Atlas website and their mobile app MyCatch.

2. Anyone can participate in the Iowa Walleye Challenge and it is for all ages. Registration is currently only able to support individual registration. For those participants sharing a mobile device, participants must login to their own account to submit their catches.

3. There is a $25.00 registration fee to enter the tournament. 

4. Catches must be submitted through the MyCatch app for approval.

5. In order for catches to be sent properly, you must use the same login email and password for both the Angler’s Atlas website and the MyCatch app.

6. All contestants must register for the tournament via this URL: https://www.anglersatlas.com/tournament/553/2022-iowa-walleye-challenge

7. You will receive an automatic email confirming that you have entered the tournament and that your payment has gone through.

8. Once accepted into the tournament, download the free MyCatch mobile app which is available for both iOS (Apple App Store) and Android (Google Play Store) and login to activate the tournament on the app using the same login email and password that you used to register in the tournament. A great resource is the MyCatch video that shows how to register for a tournament and can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o3PzcIoGo4&t=8s

9. By participating in this event your name may be publicly visible.
   

10. Protecting anglers’ privacy is a priority, and any location data collected during the tournament will not be released to the public. Our promise to anglers is “Secret Fishing Spots Stay Secret”. See below for further details.
    

2. Catch Reporting Rules

1. This event is a virtual Catch-Photo-Release (CPR) event. Eligible species include only Walleye and Sauger. 

2. In order for each catch to qualify, a photograph of the fish on a measuring device must be taken using the MyCatch app (ie. photos cannot be uploaded from a photo gallery or other source). 

3. All contestants must have GPS/location services enabled on your cell phone for their catches to qualify. Your location data will be protected. For more information, see details below.

4. This is a total length measurement tournament. NOT fork length. See pic for reference. The total length of a fish is measured from the tip of the nose or jaw to the tip of the tail with the tail pinched.

   

5. The nose of the fish must be at the start or zero mark on all measuring devices and the total length is taken where the longest length of the tail crosses the measurements on the measuring device. 

6. The photo must be taken from a birds-eye view looking down on the fish. All fish must be measured with the right side down (the right side of the fish must be facing down or touching the board) and the left side of the fish facing upwards.

7. If you measure your fish entry on a commercially produced bumpboard, the measurement rules are as follows. The nose of the fish must be visibly touching the bump end of the board, the fish must be placed on top of the board and the entire fish showing the head and tail and past the tail must be visible in the measurement photo.

8. If you measure your fish using a tape measure, the measurement rules are as follows. The fish nose and the start of the tape must be aligned by placing both against a solid edge. The fish's nose must be aligned with the zero mark on the tape, the fish cannot be on top of the tape measure or cover it in any way, and the entire fish showing the head and tail and past the tail must be visible in the measurement photo. Do not use fabric or flexible measuring tapes.

9. Tournament organizers reserve the right to adjust entries.

10. Where a fish is not aligned with the zero mark, a length penalty of at least 1 inch will be applied.

11. A photo that does not clearly show the overall length of the fish, including head and tail, on the ruler WILL NOT BE SCORED FOR LENGTH. More than one attempt to get a valid scoring photo is allowed. The app will prompt you to either accept the photo or retake a photo.

12. The mouth is allowed to be open, closed, or anywhere in between, so long as the fish meets the other above requirements

13. There are to be no fingers placed in the gills or mouth of the fish. Any fingers in the gills or mouth of the fish will disqualify that fish. This rule applies to the Measurement photo only (not the hero or release video)

14. A second photo, often called the Hero Shot, is to be used as a hero shot and is optional for this event. 

15. A third option is a live video release of the fish and is optional for this event as well. 

16. The app works out of cell range, and catches will synchronize with the server once the user opens the app when back in cell range, or via a wifi signal. Photos are date, time, and location stamped to the moment that they are taken. If the catches are not synced by the prizing deadline, they will not qualify for prizes.

17. Catches that are submitted will be reviewed for approval at least once per day during the week. Our Catch Approval Team made up of trained biology students will be reviewing and approving all fish. Once the submissions are reviewed and approved, they appear immediately on the appropriate leaderboard(s). DO NOT EXPECT to see entries show up immediately after you log them.

18. A great resource is the MyCatch video that shows how to complete an entry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqwbAFFQE-w

3. Tournament Location and Times

1. Tournament boundaries are water bodies within the State of Iowa. Rivers that border neighboring states can be fished up to the neighboring states border, however anglers must posess a valid licence when fishing these boundary waters.

2. The tournament runs from:

Sunday, May 1 2022 starting at 6 am through to

Thursday, June 30 2022 at from 6 pm

3. All catches made within the start and end times must be synchronized with the Angler’s Atlas server within the event times to qualify.

4. At the discretion of the tournament director, tournament days may be shortened, postponed or canceled due to unsafe weather or water conditions.

4. Awards &  Prizes

1. Proceeds from the tournament will be distributed as prizes in accordance with the prizing categories below. Prize payouts will be adjusted if the event does not fill to the expected number of participants - see 4B

1st Place Longest Walleye = $800
2nd Place Longest Walleye = $300
3rd Place Longest Walleye = $150
1st Place Most Walleye = $300
2nd Place Most Walleye = $200
3rd Place Most Walleye = $100
Longest Walleye/Sauger Entered - Week 1 = $150
Longest Walleye/Sauger Entered - Week 2 = $150
Longest Walleye/Sauger Entered - Week 3 = $150
Longest Walleye/Sauger Entered - Week 4 = $150
Longest Walleye/Sauger Entered - Week 5 = $150
Longest Walleye/Sauger Entered - Week 6 = $150
Longest Walleye/Sauger Entered - Week 7 = $150
Longest Walleye/Sauger Entered - Week 8 = $150
Longest Walleye/Sauger Entered - Week 9 = $150
Most Walleye/Sauger Entered - Week 1 = $125
Most Walleye/Sauger Entered - Week 2 = $125
Most Walleye/Sauger Entered - Week 3 = $125
Most Walleye/Sauger Entered - Week 4 = $125
Most Walleye/Sauger Entered - Week 5 = $125
Most Walleye/Sauger Entered - Week 6 = $125
Most Walleye/Sauger Entered - Week 7 = $125
Most Walleye/Sauger Entered - Week 8 = $125
Most Walleye/Sauger Entered - Week 9 = $125
Tough Luck Draw  - Week 1 = $75
Tough Luck Draw  - Week 2 = $75
Tough Luck Draw  - Week 3 = $75
Tough Luck Draw  - Week 4 = $75
Tough Luck Draw  - Week 5 = $75
Tough Luck Draw  - Week 6 = $75
Tough Luck Draw  - Week 7 = $75
Tough Luck Draw  - Week 8 = $75
Tough Luck Draw  - Week 9 = $75
Additional prizes may be added upon availability.

2. Prize amounts are based on a full field of 250 anglers. If the tournament doesn’t fill, the payout percentages for each paid position will remain the same and will be adjusted accordingly. Cash prizes may be awarded through either E-transfer, cheque or entry fee refund. 

3. A participant can only win one prize placing per species, and one prize in the weekly categories.

4. Awards will be announced on or by July 5th 2022 and anglers will be contacted directly using the contact information provided in the tournament registration process.

5. In the case of a tie, the tie break will go to the person with the highest number of fish reported. If a tie still exists, the tie break will be the time of the first fish recorded.

6. For this Divisional Tournament, anglers can fish anywhere they want and the area's Divisional Sponsor will get credit for all fish caught in their choice of waterbody. An award will be presented to the Leading Divisional Sponsor as a means of recognizing their participation and sponsorship. (Sean will clarify Divisional Sponsor & award)

7. Anglers have up to 60 days to claim their prize. Anglers that do not claim their prize within this period forfeit their prize

8. Best Release Video Prizes (Details to be provided at a later date)

• Tournament anglers take a video of the fish release using the "Add a Release Video" feature on the app when reporting your catch.

• Our Catch Team will review all videos submitted and those that pass our internal review for good fish handling will be posted to our Facebook page.

• Once on our Facebook page, anyone can review the videos and like their favorite video.

• At the end of each week (ie. the following Monday), the video with the most ORGANIC likes (ie. the likes you receive without the use of paid promotions) will win a prize, as listed in the tournament prize section.

• Only one conservation prize can be won per participant.

5. Other Rules

1. By registering and participating in the tournament, all participants agree to abide by the rules and regulations they have received as set out in the Iowa Walleye Challenge Tournament event rules

2. This tournament is a virtual Catch-Photo-Release event. 

3. Anglers can only submit catches that they have caught themselves. This is an individual tournament, so you cannot enter as a partnership or team, and under no circumstances can you share fish with any other angler. Anglers are free to fish alone or with other tournament or non-tournament anglers, but each registered angler may only enter their own fish on their own app.

4. All fish entered for this event must be caught via angling i.e. using hook, line, rod and reel. At no time will fish caught by non angling (i.e. use of traps, trap nets or cages) be allowed to be entered. Usage of a landing net to land a hooked fish is allowed.

5. Each contestant must have in their possession a valid fishing license for their respective jurisdiction or be exempt under regulations of their jurisdiction.

6. Each contestant must conform to the fishing rules and regulations that are in place for the jurisdiction in which they are fishing.

7. Promoters and organizers assisting in the tournament operation are not responsible for death, injury, damage, liability, theft, fire or any loss to any contestants.

8. Any angler found to be cheating will be disqualified from the tournament. Angler’s Atlas also reserves the right to ban anglers from competing in future events.

9. In the event of disqualification, any paid entry fees will be forfeited and not refunded.

10. All rules have loopholes. It is our intention to provide an honest sportsmanlike tournament. In the interest of good sportsmanship, contestants are reminded the spirit of the rule will prevail in all judgments.

11. All questions or concerns relating to the rules of this tournament are to be referred to the MyCatch Approval Team. Their decision will be final in all cases. No other person can be considered a spokesman for the rules during the tournament. The contact email for this event is [email protected] (please include the name of the event in your email).

12. Any contestant has the right to make a protest against another contestant by contacting an Organizer through email and must be completed and presented within 1 hour of the close of the tournament. Their decision will be final in all cases. A $50.00 dollar protest fee may need to accompany the protest. The fee will be returned if the protest is found to be valid.

13. To ensure the best chances of survival for the fish, all participants are to handle fish safely. Blatant abuse to fish or the resource is reason for disqualification

14. All participants must follow boating safety regulations in your jurisdiction.

15. All photo and video submissions may be used by MyCatch by Angler's Atlas for future use.
    P. Employees of the Iowa DNR Fisheries Bureau may participate in this event, but will not be eligible to win prizes.
    

6. Data Privacy and Fisheries Research

“Secret Fishing Spots Stay Secret” — This is our primary commitment to anglers who report their catches through MyCatch. So what does this mean in practice?

1. Angler’s Atlas does not release MyCatch GPS data to the public. It is treated as confidential and is provided to fisheries researchers under strict conditions.

2. Every research team we work with must sign a data sharing agreement that sets the terms of use for the data.

3. Data is anonymized before it is provided to the researcher.

4. Researchers agree not to share the data with anyone else.

5. Researchers cannot use the data for any purpose other than the research specified in the agreement. 

6. Exact location data cannot be published as part of the scientific research. Instead, it has to be generalized to a larger region so the location cannot be reverse engineered. 

7. Angler’s Atlas may release data to a law enforcement agency if compelled to do so under court order.
   

These data privacy rules are designed to protect our angler’s private data, to conserve the fisheries, and to make sure we maintain a trusting relationship with our anglers into the future. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to reach out to Angler’s Atlas President directly by email ([email protected]).

7. Competitive Fishing Event Conditions from DNR
    A. The Special Events application for the Virtual Fishing Tourney-Distributed - Iowa Walleye Challenge at Statewide Virtual Walleye Tournament on 05/01/2022 - 06/30/2022 has been approved.
    B. The authorization letter must be in possession of the sponsor or their representative and be available at the contest site for Department representative(s) during contest hours.  For virtual tournaments, each participant in the tournament must also have a copy of the tournament authorization letter (either paper or electronic) to identify themselves as a tournament participant.  It is the responsibility of the tournament organizer to distribute this information to the participants.
    C. Keeping fish healthy and released alive is the responsibility of the tournament angler. To improve chances for live release, at a minimum anglers should exercise the following precautions. Fish should be landed quickly.  Hooks should be carefully removed with as little tissue damage as possible.  During handling, care should be taken to avoid damage to the slime coating. 
    D. Do your part to prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species in Iowa. Iowa's 2013 Aquatic Invasive Species Law requires that all water must be drained from water-related equipment when leaving a water access. Drain plugs, bailers and valves must remain removed or open during transport - so drain water from your boat, motor, livewell and bilge before leaving a water access. All livewells must be drained of water when leaving a water access in Iowa. If you wish to transport fish to an off-site weigh-in in Iowa, you must bring fresh water with you to transport the fish in when leaving the water access.
    E. Tournament participants need to be particularly diligent because they are avid anglers that may trailer boats to more than one waterbody during a week. Inspect your boat, trailer, and equipment and remove any visible plants, animals, or mud before leaving a waterbody. Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash. Never release fish, animals or plants into a waterbody unless they came from that waterbody. Before transporting your boat to another waterbody either wash it with high pressure and/or hot water or dry it for 5 days.
    F. The event is open to the public.
    G. The event is scheduled for the State of Iowa.
    H. Please contact the Iowa DNR local representative with any questions at: Administrator, Jeff Kopaska ([email protected])