Looking To Host A Fishing Tournament?
The DNR regulates fishing tournaments or organized competitive fishing events where money or prizes are awarded. Larger tournaments and some specialized tournaments are monitored and regulated through a paid permit system, but smaller tournaments (those less than 20 boats or 100 participants) need to be registered each calendar year.
The process is free of charge and helps the DNR manage regulations and fish populations and to avoid crowding or conflicts among waterbody users.
Tournament organizers can submit their registrations using simple online or paper forms that ask for organizer contact information and event information, including waterbodies to be fished, dates, target species and expected number of boats or participants.
Registrations are required by law to be submitted no later than 72 hours before the start of a tournament.
Anyone interested in hosting a fishing tournament in Wisconsin can visit the DNR's Fishing Tournaments webpage for information about tournament requirements, registration deadlines and permit and registration forms.