Download Rules and Form as a PDF

2008 WALLEYE ANGLER'S TRAIL RULES
Participants and Eligibility

1. Each person must be a valid member to participate in any of the W.A.T. Tournaments. Membership is $20.00 per person per year.
2. Contestants must enter as two-person teams. Any person 17 years of age or younger must be teamed with a parent or guardian.
3. All fishing will cease at 4:00 p.m. the Saturday prior to the tournament. Mandatory rules meeting will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday at the tournament Hqs. ramp.  One team member must attend.
4. Entrants will conduct themselves in a true sportsmanlike courteous, safe and ethical manner when fishing. Remember, each team represents the W.A.T. and your actions represent all contestants.
5. No alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs may be possessed or consumed by the contestants during tournament hours.
6. THE ORDER OF TAKE-OFF WILL BE DETERMINED BY DATE OF PAID ENTRY!
7. Photo Release-We agree that any photographs or other promotional material taken during a W.A.T. event is the property of the W.A.T. and maybe used by the W.A.T., its sponsors, or the media without royalties or prior consent.

Fish and Fishing

8. Tournament boats shall fish in "open to public" waters only.
9. All state rules regarding fishing will be observed unless the tournament director specifies more stringent regulations. Only those fish caught on hook and line in a normal and usual manner will be accepted.  No more than 2 poles/lines per contestant.  Live bait and artificial lures are permissible. Entrants must possess applicable state fishing licenses.
10. Walleye, sauger and/or saugeye are eligible. The minimum length (if applicable) of eligible fish will be set by the sanctioned tournaments.
11. All fish weighed must be kept and carried in aerated live wells to keep fish alive and as fresh as possible for release. Any fish mauled, mashed, frozen, stringered, injected with water or other fluids, containing foreign matter to add weight or showing white gills, soft flesh, eyes, may result in disqualification at the discretion of the tournament director.
12. Each contestant must wear a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device at take-off.
13. All boats will be inspected at launch time. All contestants must start from and return to their launch sites. Teams not checking in after a day's fishing may be disqualified for that day.
14. Once the tournament has begun, all contestants are prohibited from fishing or further practice except during designated fishing hours. All fishing must be done from a tournament inspected boat.
15. Contestants who leave earlier than their assigned flight time may be disqualified for that day. Contestants who return later than their assigned flight time will be disqualified for that day.
16. All teams are subject to inspection during the tournament; patrol boats may come alongside and conduct inspections at any time. No other boats may come in contact with contestants boats. NO fishing information may be given to contestants during tournament hours by tournament or non-tournament anglers.
17. CB, marine radios or cell phones are allowed for lockage and emergency use ONLY. Any transmission of information via any communicative device concerning any aspect of fishing, is prohibited during the tournament.
18. In the event of a thunderstorm, lightning and 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 except if nature calls or at the official weigh-in station.

19. The minimum and maximum length will be set by the tournament director in accordance with applicable state laws.  In any event, NO FISH UNDER 15” MAY BE BROUGHT TO THE SCALES!  If a “short” fish is presented for weigh-in, the biggest eligible fish weighed that day will be disqualified.  If a state or local law is violated by bringing a “short” or “long” fish to the scale, the team will be disqualified from the tournament.  
20. Teams will be allowed to weigh a maximum of 5 fish - walleyes, saugers, saugeyes - per boat (team) per day at each tournament unless contrary to respective state limitations. No dead fish may be released. A deduction of .20 will be taken for each non-releasable fish weighed.
Prizes and Entry

21. All prizes will be awarded by total team weight, with the exception of the heaviest fish prize, which will be awarded at the conclusion of the tournament. At least one team member must accompany the catch to the scale. Each team will receive a copy of their scale ticket when the team weighs in. The scale ticket is to be initialed by one of the team members.

22. In case of a tie, positions shall be determined by the weight of the teams Big Fish.  Only walleye, sauger and saugeye will be weighed. Minimum sizes and limits will be announced at each event. The longest straight line of measure will be used to determine length. The official ruler will be the "Judge". If any contestant brings one more than the specified tournament daily limit to the scale, the entire catch will be disqualified for the day.
23. Entry fee refunds will be made only if proper notification is made to the tournament director two weeks preceding the tournament. In all cases, a $50 assessment will be made for cancellations. All checks will be made payable to both partners.
24. Six days prior to the tournament a $50 late entry fee will be due.
25. The team of the year and runner-up team will receive a Free Cabela's Certificate to the National Team Walleye Championship.
Early Bird Sign-Up/BONUS
26.  Early bird entries will be accepted from January 1, 2008 thru January 31, 2008.  Early Bird entries must sign up and submit payment for all 4 tournaments to include the membership fees for both partners. A drawing will be held on February 1, 2008 from all Early Bird entries to determine the boat numbers that will be assigned for the entire 2008 tournament season. 
Protest and Waiver
27. A partner change constitutes a new team. However, if both original partners drop out prior to the tournament, their team will be replaced with an alternate team.
28. Any team has a right to protest another team. The protest must be filed in writing with the tournament director no later than one-half hour (30 minutes) after the close of the day's tournament fishing hours. A three (3) man protest committee shall be appointed by the Tournament Director prior to the tournament and will convene to hear both side of any protest. A polygraph may be utilized if so decided by the protest committee. The decision of the protest committee shall be final in all cases. A $150 protest fee must accompany each written protest. The fee will be returned if the protest is found valid. If the protest is valid, the disqualified party must pay all investigative costs, including the polygraph. If the protest is invalid the fee will not be returned and the protesting team must pay all investigative costs including the polygraph.
29. The W.A.T., its officers and employees, promoters, tournament directors, sponsors and organizations assisting in the tournament operation, their agencies, etc. are not responsible for deaths, injuries, damage, liability, theft, fire or any loss of any kind to entrants. Each entrant, upon signing an entry form, will be signing a waiver form.
30. Disqualification from the tournament for any reason will result in forfeiture of entry fee.
31. The W.A.T. Executive Director's ruling will be the final decision in any rules interpretation. All rules have "loopholes". In the interest of good sportsmanship, contestants are reminded that the "spirit of the rule" will prevail in all judgment cases.
Invasive Species
32.  Invasive Species Aquatic invasive species can crowd out native plants and animals and threaten the quality of boating and fishing in the waters we love. Boaters and anglers can help prevent the spread of these aquatic hitchhikers: Inspect and remove aquatic plants, animals, and mud from your boat, trailer, and equipment before leaving the water access. Drain water from your boat and equipment (including live wells and bait containers) before leaving the water access. Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash. Spray/rinse your boat and equipment with hot and/or high pressure water, especially if moored for more than a day, or Dry your boat and equipment for at least 5 days. Wisconsin Statutes prohibit launching a boat, boat trailer, or boating equipment if there are any aquatic plants or zebra mussels attached.

Please use the link below to print the offical form with entry information.

Download Rules and Form as a PDF

Send for an official entry form:
Walleye Angler's Trail
P.O. Box 744
Dubuque, Iowa 52004-0744
Phone: (563) 543-2863