2024 Youth Catch-and-Release Contest

Anyone under the age of 18 with a family member in TLA is eligible to enter the annual catch and release fishing contest—just catch, measure, photograph, and release a fish from Turtle Lake between opening weekend and Labor Day (May 11th through September 2nd). 

Participants can enter fish in four categories this year: 

1. Bass (smallmouth and largemouth)

2. Walleye and northern pike

3. Sunfish and crappie 

4. Species challenge (new this year!) 

The species challenge involves submitting as many different species of fishes as you can. As long as you caught it out of Turtle Lake legally with a hook and line, it counts. The youth with the most different species submitted at the end of the catch and release contest will be the winner.

Youth are encouraged to enter fish in multiple categories and multiple fish in a single category. All entrants will receive great fishing-related goodies, and the winner in each category will get a Catch and Release Champion prize. Prizes will be mailed to the champions after Labor Day. 

Please be sure to include Turtle Lake in the background of the picture, minimize the time the fish is out of the water, and release the fish by gently placing it in the water and holding it upright until it swims away. Please don’t lay the fish on the ground, put the fish on a stringer, or unnecessarily stress the fish before you release it. You want those fish to swim off healthy so you can keep catching them as they grow bigger each year!

To enter, submit your online entry form with the following: 

1. Your name and age 

2. The name of your relative who is a member of TLA 

3. The date of the catch/release 

4. The length of your fish 

5. Most importantly, your photo with the fish.

Have fun, and good luck fishing!