The Maryland Fishing Challenge runs annually from 12:01am the day after Labor Day until 12:00am (midnight) Labor Day of the current year. Anyone who catches a fish matching the minimum size requirements and checks it in at a local Award Center will be eligible to enter into the challenge. You will receive more information via letter when you recieve your Maryland Fishing Challenge Award certificate in the mail.

1. Anyone is eligible except a professional guide, a charter boat captain or a crewman of a for-hire boat or anyone who offers his fish for sale. No registration fee is required.
2. All fish registered must be caught on rod and reel. No other person may touch the rod or line until the leader is within grasp or the end of the leader has reached the rod tip.
3. Fish that have been snagged, shot, gaffed, speared, scaled, or mutilated are not eligible.
4. The catch must be lawful. Anglers should be aware of the rules pertaining to fishing and eligible sizes of fish at all time.
5. The Maryland Fishing Challenge reserves the right to refuse any application that is not complete.
6. The decision of the Maryland Fishing Challenge will be final.
7. Special awards can be awarded upon approval of the tournament director in the case of unusual catches or extenuating circumstances.

*Exceptions will be made for the establishment of a new state record, in which case the fish must be weighed.

Where to Fish

• Freshwater Division: All freshwater ponds, lakes, impoundments and non-tidal waters.
• Chesapeake Bay Division: The entire Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay and its’ tidal tributaries, including the tidal Potomac River and it's Maryland tributaries.
• Atlantic Coast Division: Atlantic Ocean, Ocean City Inlet, Chincoteague Bay, Sinepuxent Bay, Isle of Wight Bay, and Assawoman Bay (and their tributaries) bounded to the north by the Maryland-Delaware Line and to the south by the Maryland-Virginia Line and Federal waters off the coast of Maryland provided the trip embarked from Maryland.

Entering Your Catch

1. Fish must be registered at an official Fishing Challenge Recognition Award Center.
2. All entries with the exception of sharks and billfish must now be measured. All measurements should be in total length (tip of the nose to the tip of the longest extended portion of the tail of the fish). Exceptions will be made for the establishment of a new state record, in which case the fish must be weighed.
3. All marlin, sharks and red drum must be released alive with a photograph and the signature of the captain of the vessel accompanying the entry in order to be eligible for the tournament.

Diamond Jim Rules and Cash Payouts

Complete rules and exact payouts will be posted as they are finialized.

Diamond Jim Eligibility

The Maryland Fishing Challenge Featuring Diamond Jim is a recreational tournament. Anglers fishing commercially are ineligible. Additionally, DNR employees and their immediate family members are not eligible to win.

The Diamond Jim Payout

If you catch and keep any of these specially-tagged fish during the months of June, July, August, and up to midnight on Labor Day, you will qualify to win.

In any case, the tag must remain implanted in the fish for inspection by a contest official for a claim to cash to be valid.

Entering Your Diamond Jim-Tagged Catch

If you catch a tagged fish, record the time, location (GPS coordinates are best), and tag number. A Diamond Jim tag will have MD 2011 Diamond Jim Fishing Challenge printed on it along with the number to call to report your catch. The tag must remain attached to the fish to remain eligible until a DNR representative has been able to examine the fish. If the tag is removed prior to being checked, the catch will be disqualified.

Winners will be required to complete a winner's affidavit. Additionally, Maryland Fishing Challenge officials may conduct an investigation including, but not limited to, requiring the winner and a witness to complete a polygraph examination before the prize is awarded.

By participating in the Maryland Fishing Challenge, anglers must know and agree that they could be mentioned by name in the media and that photographs of them may be distributed to the press and posted online.

Winners are individually responsible for paying any and all taxes on any prize(s) won.

Potential winners must provide contact information (and those of your parent or guardian, if you are under 18 years of age) and your fishing license (if applicable) at the time of the inspection.

Questions regarding the Maryland Fishing Challenge Featuring Diamond Jim should be directed to Martin Gary: mlgary@dnr.state.md.us

Awards

1. Awards will be mailed to an angler whose catch equals or exceeds the minimum sizes listed on the eligible species list.
2. Because of the change in billfishing and shark fishing ethics over the past several years, the Maryland Fishing Challenge will no longer award awards for marlin, sharks, swordfish, or sailfish which are killed and returned to port. The only exception to this rule will be in the event a new state record is established, in which case the fish must be weighed. Anglers and captains should be aware of the current record sizes of marlin and sharks. Due to the implementation of this rule, all marlin and sharks caught and released will receive awards, however no division winner will be awarded. In addition, due to restrictions on the harvest of red drum along the Atlantic coast, only catch & release awards are available for this species.
3. My 1st Fish recognizes an angler of any age that catches a fish, in fresh or tidal waters of the State of Maryland, for the first time in their life. Any species, regardless of length is eligible. A special certificate will be awarded to each individual in this category. All catches that do not comply with regulations are ineligible. Contact Keith Lockwood for additional information.
4. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Catch and Release Program rewards fishermen who release their catch alive. An angler who meets or exceeds the minimum size stated in the Size Requirements on the Maryland Fishing Challenge website, will receive a Fishing Challenge Award. A Photo must be submitted with the application.

1. Fish must be caught in Maryland waters by rod and reel and released alive and in good shape.
2. Only one award per day per species per season.
3. Fish must be measured from tip of jaw to tip of tail to determine if eligible.  An entry form must be filled out and mailed or go to a Fishing Challenge Recognition Award Center near you, don't forget to send in with an accompanying photograph.

My First Fish Program

My 1st Fish recognizes a new angler's achievement of catching their first fish. A certificate with the angler's name, date, species caught, length, and fishing buddy or Captain will be awarded to commemorate the event. If a digital photograph is taken and included with the entry, it will be placed on the certificate. To receive a My 1st Fish certificate, go to an official Maryland Fishing Challenge Recognition Award Center.

Guidelines

• Any fish is eligible that is caught in Maryland waters.
• All fish that do not comply with Maryland law or regulations must be immediately returned to the water.
• Any angler is eligible regardless of age.
• Photographs included with entry must be in digital format.