Fishing Tournaments
Even ol’ Isaac Walton was a bit competitive when he was catching fish.
Nebraska hosts a number of fishing tournaments for a variety of species of fish every year. Following is information on the tournaments that have been registered this year.
High School Fishing Tournaments
Youth fishing tournaments are conducted in cooperation with state and national fishing organizations. These tournaments offer youth the opportunity to learn and demonstrate their fishing ability while competing under the guidance and support of avid-angler’s organizations. In some instances, these tournaments lead to regional and national tournament participation. You can visit the following websites to learn more about the TBF Student Angler Federation High School Tournament and the BASS High School Team Tournament.
General Fishing Tournaments
There are many fishing tournaments scheduled to take place across Nebraska this year. Download the latest listing of events below.
Tournament information
All fishing tournaments, derbies or contests that require an entry fee, on publicly owned, controlled or managed waters, must be registered with Game and Parks’ Fisheries Division at least 45 days before the event. In addition, it is strongly suggested that all fishing tournaments, including those that do not charge an entry fee, register in order to avoid user conflicts.
An event may be denied if the date and location conflict with a previously approved event. Denial also may be based on safety concerns due to low water or anticipated heavy use that could result in boat ramp congestion or if tournament organization does not follow all tournament registration and invasive species rules.
Game and Parks may impose special conditions for a fishing tournament, derby or contest if deemed necessary to protect the resource or to assure public safety. Special conditions may include aerated livewells, release of live fish, designated release areas, on-the-water measurements, and immediate release of fish with no onshore weigh-in ceremony. Tournament directors will be provided instructions on how to operate their tournament to reduce mortality in no harvest/weigh-in tournaments. All watercraft are required to adhere to the Clean, Drain and Dry
protocol before launching to ensure that no aquatic invasive species are being transported from another body of water.
A Fishing Tournament Approval Certificate must be present at the tournament site.
The use of tagged or otherwise marked fish is prohibited in any fishing tournament, derby or contest held on waters owned or controlled and stocked by Game and Parks during the preceding 24 months, excluding private lakes not owned by the state or other governmental entity.
Tournament registration
Register to hold a fishing tournament, derby or contest that require an entry fee to participate on publicly owned, controlled or manage waters. An event may be denied if the date and location conflict with a previously approved event.
Special Occasion Permit
Those who wish to hold a fishing tournament or special event on waters located within a Nebraska state park or recreation area must also apply for a special occasion permit.
Results
Complete this form to report on tournament release and harvest information. It must be completed and returned to the Fisheries Division within 30 days after the completion of the fishing tournament. Failure to return the completed form or provide the requested information will result in denial of future fishing tournament requests for at least one year.
Please fill out the form below after your fishing tournament. If you experience technical difficulties with this form, please email [email protected] for assistance.
Fishing Permits
Purchase stamps, resident and non-resident fishing permits here.
Park Pricing
A park entry permit is required to visit state parks and may be purchased at the park, statewide Game and Parks offices and permit vendors, or in advance of your arrival online. View those fees, as well as attraction and amenity pricing.