1. Entry Fee is $200 per boat, non-refundable.  The tournament awards cash prizes for the first five teams.  The cash prizes are the following: First place - $1000, second place - $800, third place - $600, fourth place - $400, and fifth place - $200. 

2. This tournament will be held rain or shine, however, in the event of inclement weather/wind that would endanger the safety of the competitors, the tournament officials have the right to decide to cancel the event.  In the case of a cancellation, the captains will be notified in three ways: marine radio channel 69, an email, and a text.  In this case, the awards ceremony would continue as scheduled and cash prizes will be awarded by a blind draw. 

3. Date of Tournament - September 9, 2023.  Starting Time: 7:00 AM - No fishing before 7 a.m.  Boats are permitted to be out on the lake looking for fish before that time, but no lines in the water until starting time of 7:00 AM.

4. This is a Lake Erie yellow perch tournament.  All fish being weighed in must be Lake Erie yellow perch and caught on the day of the perch tournament.

5. All fish must be caught west of the Vermilion River in American waters.  

6. Each team will consist of up to, but not to exceed, four fishermen per boat.

7. All fishermen are required to have a valid Ohio fishing license and must abide by all Ohio Department Of Natural Resources and Watercraft rules.

8. Weigh-ins are between 2:00 and 2:30 by a tournament official at the Lake Fish Company, Inc., 1014 West Water Street Sandusky. Fish must arrive at the Lake Fish Company on time or a 1 pound/minute deduction penalty will be enforced until 2:45 PM.  No fish will be accepted and/or weighed after the 2:45 deadline. No exceptions!  

9. Only your team's best forty (40) perch will be accepted at the official weigh-in. A one pound deduction penalty will be enforced for every fish over forty that is included in your weigh-in bucket. All fish will be counted at the door by a tournament official. The remaining fish caught can be taken to the cleaning house but must be separate from your boats forty biggest perch for weigh-in.

10. Participants MUST be wearing their wristbands from the tournament packet before qualifying your fish for the weigh-ins.  Any participant not following this rule will immediately be disqualified.

11. Each team is responsible for their own bait, lures, and fishing gear.

12. The largest perch (in length) will be awarded $100. The measurement of the fish will be certified by a tournament official.  The length at weigh-in is the official length.  When deciding the winner, the tournament official's decision is final.  In the event of a tie, the prize money will be split.

13. Each top forty (40) perch submitted for weigh–ins will be kept by the tournament for the following year’s perch tournament cookout and awards ceremony. In addition to your tournament catch, we will accept any perch you wish to donate to next year’s party.

14. Anyone attending the cookout and awards ceremony MUST be wearing wristbands. These will be in the tournament packet.  All members of your team and any guests MUST be wearing a wristband before entering the party tent area.  Additional wristbands will be on sale at the party.  Anyone not following this rule will immediately be asked to leave. The cookout and awards will be held at the Sandusky American Legion, 3615 Hayes Ave., Sandusky, OH 44870, starting at approximately 4:00 pm.  Please note, there will be no "to-go" orders.

15. This tournament is a charity event as well as a way of honoring Chuck Teagarden, a man we all respected. As of today, we have awarded $42,000 in scholarships to area students. 

 

All rules will be on a gentlemen’s agreement basis.

Let’s all have fun and support our community!

​​

Download the Teagarden Classic Rules