Enter your best catch today and win a huge prize package!

Here’s your chance to test your angling skills, enjoy friendly competition with fellow members and win huge prizes, all while helping conserve big fish--the 2008 NAFC Catch & Release Contest!

The annual event, now in its twelfth year, also lets you participate in more ways than simply entering fish. That’s because, just as in 2007, members—not a random drawing--will choose the contest’s winners.

After the entry deadline, Jan. 31, 2008, the NAFC staff will nominate 25 finalists over a range of species and geographic locations, based on the quality of the catches. These entry photos and information about each catch will then be posted on the NAFC website, FishingClub.com, where members will be able to vote for their favorites. The 10 entries that receive the most votes will earn each angler the prize package seen here, which is valued at over $1,000!

In addition, the contest will feature the longstanding Angler of the Year competition. The angler who racks up the most total points will claim the title, a free Life Membership and a commemorative plaque.

Plus, we’re also offering a special youth division, the winners of which will be decided by a random drawing. Look for full details in the March issue of North American Fisherman.

All other contest rules will remain the same.

ENTRY FORM (PDF)     || ENTER ONLINE 

VOTE for 2007 Catch & Release Contest Winners

FISHING RULES:
All fish must be caught on hook and line and in accordance with state or provincial laws.

Fish must be released within 2 hours of being caught.

Fish must meet minimum length requirements listed below: (No minimum length requirements for youth 15 & under; only catches that meet or exceed the minimum length will be counted toward Angler of the Year points or any other category.)

Species - Min. Length
Arctic Char 30"
Arctic Grayling 18"
Bass, Largemouth 22"
Bass, Peacock 24”
Bass, Smallmouth 20"
Bass, Spotted 19”
Bass, Striped Hybrid 24"
Bass, Striped 36"
Bass, White 17"
Bluefish 30”
Bluegill 11"
Bonefish none
Carp 25”
Catfish, Blue 34"
Catfish, Channel 28"
Catfish, Flathead 35"
Crappie, (Black or White) 14"
Dolly Varden 20"
Dorado 40”
King Mackerel 45”
Kokanee 18”
Marlin, all varieties t none
Muskie 42"
Muskie, Hybrid 37”
Perch, Yellow 15"
Permit 25"
Pickerel, Chain 24"
Pike, Northern 38"
Redfish t 30"
Sailfish none
Salmon, Atlantic 34"
Salmon, Chinook a 36"
Salmon, Coho 31"
Sauger 21"
Seatrout 26"
Shark, all varieties t none
Snook 35"
Splake 27"
Steelhead 27"
Sturgeon t none
Sunfish, Redear 12”
Swordfish t none
Tarpon t none
Trout, Brook 18"
Trout, Brown 20"
Trout, Cutthroat 18"
Trout, Lake 32"
Trout, Rainbow 20"
Tuna, all varieties t none
Wahoo t none
Walleye 27"
Whitefish 20”
t Indicates species for which touching the leader is considered a landed fish. Although a minimum length is not required, entrants must provide an estimated length.

A chinook salmon caught in Alaska must be photographed in the water.

ENTRIES:
Limit of 1 entry per fish (and a limit of one fish per entry form). Multiple entries per person (multiple fish) are allowed and encouraged with a maximum of 25 entries per species.

Fish must be caught and released between 1/1/08 and 12/31/08.

All 2008 entries must be received at the NAFC by 1/31/09.

Entry information must be clearly printed on an official entry form. Form must be signed by angler and witness. (Form photocopies are allowed).

Photographs are optional (strongly encouraged) for program entry but must be included to qualify for the “Angler of the Year” award. Quality photographs will be selected for publication in the North American Fisherman magazine and on www.fishingclub.com.

Photographs:
1. Must be on or near the water.
2. Fish must be held in a manner that doesn’t harm the fish.
3. Must show the angler.
4. Print name, address, phone # and NAFC member # (if applicable) on the back of each photograph.
5. Do not staple or tape the photograph to the entry.
6. Polaroid and home-printed digital images are strongly discouraged.
7. Send each entry to:

NAFC 2008 Catch & Release
PO Box 3429
Minnetonka, MN 55343

CATEGORIES

MEMBERS’ CHOICE – TOP TEN CATCHES
After the Jan. 31, 2009 entry submission deadline, the NAFC staff will nominate 25 finalists over a range of species and geographic locations, based on the overall quality of the catches. The photos and information about each catch will then be posted on the NAFC and Catch & Release Contest websites, where members can vote for their favorites. The 10 entries that receive the most votes will earn each angler a prize package worth over $1,000. (See the Feb. 2007 issue of North American Fisherman, or visit the NAFC website for prize details.)

YOUTH
This category is for youths who are 15 years or under on the date of the catch. There are no minimum length requirements for the Youth category. (Only catches that meet or exceed the minimum length will be counted toward Angler of the Year points or any other category.)

ANGLER OF THE YEAR:
A free NAFC Life Membership and wall plaque will be awarded to the angler who accumulates the most points based on the following point allocation system:
1 point will be awarded for each qualified entry (must include a photograph).
10 bonus points will be awarded for each different qualified species entered (no points for the first species).

ADDITIONAL AWARDS:
All NAFC members submitting qualifying entries that meet the minimum length requirements for the species will receive a Catch & Release decal and one certificate of recognition for the largest fish in each of the species that they submit. Certificates and decals will be mailed in March of 2008.

NAFC members who catch and release a state and/or world record fish, and submit supporting documentation, will receive a special NAFC recognition plaque.

GENERAL RULES:
No purchase necessary to enter or win. Void where prohibited by law. No responsibility is assumed for late, lost, damaged, postage due, or misdirected entries. NAFC decisions concerning all matters related to this contest are final. Winners will be notified by mail and prizes will be delivered by June 1, 2009. All taxes are the sole responsibility of the winner. All photos become property of the NAFC and will not be returned. Entrant grants the NAFC the right to publish his/her name, photograph, likeness, and biographical information in advertising and promotion without compensation or permission. Entrant releases the NAFC from any liability arising out of participation in this contest or the acceptance, use, or misuse of a prize. No cash substitutions, transfers, or assignments of prizes allowed, except by the NAFC who reserves the right to substitute prizes of equal or greater value. The NAFC reserves the right to disqualify any entry.

Reminder: Entry information must be clearly printed on an official entry form (form photocopies are allowed).

PRIZES	Click on photos to enlarge.
Berkley Line And Softbait A collection Berkley’s most innovative lines and lures, including FireLine Crystal, new 100% Trilene Fluorocarbon, Trilene Sensation, Trilene Maxx, Trilene XT Tough Red, Gulp! Alive! Minnows, Gulp! Gobies, Gulp! Leeches, Chigger Craws and Wacky Crawlers.
Optimum Baits  This prize package features four top baits from Optimum’s proven line, the Crashing Thunder, Furbit, Original Swimbait and AC Minnow, plus, the deps Basirisky.
3M Scientific Anglers Combo This 3M Scientific Anglers Ready-To-Fish bass fly fishing outfit features a four-piece, 8-weight fly rod and a Concept disc-drag reel pre-spooled with weight-forward line and an attached leader. It also includes three flies and an instructional fly fishing DVD.
Plano 3758 Guide Series Gear Bag This soft-side bag can be carried like a satchel and includes a 3750 ProLatch StowAway utility box in an exterior hard-molded holder, a 3543 Waterproof Spinnerbait utility box, and one 2-3500 ProLatch StowAway box within the EVA molded base. The interior provides deep storage and comes with a Velcro divider that creates up to four compartments.
Northland Slurpies This collection includes 16 packs of Northland’s Slurpies SowSauce-scented softbaits, two Slurpies lure kits, a DVD and a ruler sticker.
Salmo Hardbaits These 12 premium hand-tuned hardbaits from Salmo Performance Fishing Lures are ideal for bass, walleyes, pike, muskies and more. The prize pack also includes a Salmo cap.
Ardent C400 This 100 percent made-in-America baitcaster features a one-piece aluminum alloy frame, four stainless steel bearings, a 6.3:1 helical gear ratio, Ardent’s Comfort Grip frame design, Strike Saver drag and six pin centrifugal brake. Winners will also receive Ardent’s Reel Kleen cleaning kit.