Official Rules

Overview of the Fishing Challenge:

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is proud to bring you the 2009 Maryland Fishing Challenge – Featuring Diamond Jim. This fishing tournament educates the public, recognizes anglers, promotes recreational fishing opportunities, and showcases Maryland as a great sport fishing destination.

This year, the challenge will be held from January 1 through Labor Day, September 7, 2009. Over 60 species of fish are eligible, from the mountain streams in the west, the Chesapeake Bay and the waters of Maryland’s Atlantic Coast and coastal bays. So if you fish in Maryland during the challenge, YOU could be a winner! See a complete list of species.

There are two ways to enter the Maryland Fishing Challenge: participating in the Maryland Sport Fishing Tournament and the Search for Diamond Jim.

The Maryland Sport Fishing Tournament: If your fish is certified as a citation fish*, you are automatically entered into the 2009 Maryland Fishing Challenge.

The Search for Diamond Jim: From May 30 through Labor Day; see “The search for Diamond Jim rules below for more details.

All anglers who catch a certified citation fish or specially tagged fish will be eligible to attend a special ceremony where they are eligible to win up to $7,500 of prizes from Bills Outdoor Center. You must be present at the special ceremony or send an approved Proxy who can stand in for only eligible angler.

For more details visit the website at: www.dnr.maryland.gov/fishingchallenge/.

Fishing Challenge Eligibility Requirements:

1. No registration fee is required. No minimum age. Any recreational angler is eligible except DNR employees and their immediate family (spouse, child, sibling, parent, grandparent or grandchild) and anyone who offers his fish for sale are not eligible to enter the Fishing Challenge.
2. All anglers participating in the challenge must posses a valid Maryland fishing license, unless the following applies: the fish is caught from a licensed charter boat, or a private recreational vessel with a license sticker that covers all passengers on the boat; the angler is under the age of 16, the angler is fishing in designated “License Free Fishing Area,” or the fish is caught during one of Maryland’s “Free Fishing Days”; or is caught in the waters of Maryland’s Atlantic Coast and Coastal Bays.
3. Resident and Non-Resident anglers must comply with Maryland fishing regulations.
4. Anglers with multiple citation fish caught will be entered into the 2009 Maryland Fishing Challenge one time.

The Maryland Sport Fishing Tournament Rules:

1. 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.
2. Fish that have been snagged, shot, gaffed, speared, scaled or mutilated are not eligible.
3. The catch must be lawful. Anglers should be aware of the rules pertaining to fishing and eligible sizes of fish at all time.
4. The Maryland Sport Fishing Tournament reserves the right to refuse any application that is not complete.
5. The decision of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources will be final.
6. Special citations will be awarded upon approval of the tournament director in the case of unusual catches or extenuating circumstances.
7. If receiving a citation January through September 7, 2009, you will automatically be eligible to participate in the Fishing Challenge awards event.
8. All fish must be caught on rod and reel in a manner prescribed by the International Game Fish Association.
9. Any tagged fish caught on hook and line outside Maryland waters is not eligible for the fish challenge or any prizes associated with the challenge.
10. The 2009 Maryland Fishing Challenge reserves the right to refuse any entry, if a tagged fish is caught illegally, the tag was removed before the fish was inspected (applies to Diamond Jim striped bass only) or the angler was not properly licensed. The decision by Maryland DNR will be final.

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.
• 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.

How to Enter Your Fish and What Happens:

1. Fish must be registered at an official citation center and the registration form must be legible and completely filled out to be eligible for a citation. The form produces one copy; citation centers forward one to DNR no later than 14 days from the date of the catch and the other is kept by the angler. Keep your copy and if you have not heard from DNR by Sept. 8, contact George Herlth at 410-260-8282.
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 and sharks must be released alive with a photograph and the signature of the captain of the vessel accompanying the citation form in order to be eligible for the tournament.
4. Citations will be mailed to an angler whose catch equals or exceeds the minimum sizes listed on the eligible species list.
5. Because of the change in billfishing and shark fishing ethics over the past several years, the Maryland Sport Fishing Tournament will no longer award citations 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 citations and patches, however no division winner will be awarded.
6. If you are under 18 years of age, a parent or guardian must accompany you to the final event.

The Search for Diamond Jim Rules:

During the 2009 Fishing Challenge, a total of 150 striped bass will be tagged with chartreuse tags and released into Maryland waters of the Chesapeake Bay during the contest time frame of June 1, 2009 through midnight, September 1, 2009. Each month 50 will be released with only one being Diamond Jim. The following month, if Diamond Jim has not been caught, all 50 become imposters and the next group of 50 are released with only one being Diamond Jim. The final month there will be 149 imposters, if no Diamond Jim has been previously caught, and only one Diamond Jim.

There is no limit to the number of tagged fish you can catch.

During the months of June, July and August of the Challenge, if you catch a rockfish tagged with the special Diamond Jim chartreuse tag, you could instantly win up to $25,000. During these three months of the tournament, fifty (50) striped bass with a chartreuse tag will be released - one each month will be worth a minimum of $10,000 if caught in the month released or possibly up to $25,000 if the prior months’ “Diamond Jim” was not caught.

• JUNE: On or about June 1, 50 fish will be released. One will be the “Diamond Jim” worth $10,000 if caught between June 1, 2009 through midnight June 30, 2009. The remaining 49 striped bass are imposters, worth $500 if caught between June 1, 2009 and September 1, 2009. If the June “Diamond Jim” striped bass is not caught before midnight June 30, 2009, he reverts to an imposter fish, worth $500 and the July “Diamond Jim” will be worth $20,000.
• JULY: On or about July 1, another 50 striped bass are released into Maryland’s portion of Chesapeake Bay. Again, one of the 50 is “Diamond Jim”, eligible if caught between July 1, 2009 and midnight July 31, 2009, and the remaining fish (now totaling 99) are imposters. If the June “Diamond Jim” is caught, the July Diamond Jim is worth $10,000 in cash.
• AUGUST: On or about August 1, another 50 striped bass are tagged and released into Maryland’s portion of Chesapeake Bay. Again, only one of the 50 striped bass is “Diamond Jim”, eligible between August 1, 2009 and midnight, September 7, 200, and the remaining striped bass (now totaling 149) are imposters, worth $500 gift certificates for merchandise from Boater’s World. If the July “Diamond Jim” striped bass is caught in the specified time frame, the August “Diamond Jim” is worth $10,000. If the June “Diamond Jim “ striped bass is caught in the specified time frame and the July “Diamond Jim” is not caught in the specified time frame, the August “Diamond Jim” is worth $20,000. If neither the June or July “Diamond Jim” striped bass are caught in the specified time frame, the final “Diamond Jim” is worth $25,000.

Entering Your Catch:

A chartreuse tag will be placed on a select number of striped bass that are part of the “Diamond Jim” promotion. If this fish is caught, please record the time, location (GPS coordinates preferred) and tag number and call the number on the tag. A DNR Fisheries biologist MUST physically receive and examine the striped bass with the tag still attached for the fish to be eligible. If the tag is removed, the catch will be disqualified. The chartreuse fish tag will have the words "“MD 2009 DIAMOND JIM FISHING CHALLENGE INELIGIBLE IF TAG IS REMOVED - 1-410-693-7706 (Tag number).”

If you are a winner, you will be required to complete a winner’s affidavit. In addition, the 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 2009 Maryland Fishing Challenge, you agree to be mentioned by name in the media (i.e. newspaper, television, radio, internet, etc.) and photographed for use during Fishing Challenge promotions.

Each winner is responsible for paying any and all taxes on any prize(s) won. You must provide your 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. DNR must certify that you are qualified before your name will be entered into the final prize drawing.

Questions regarding the 2008 Maryland Challenge should be directed to 1-877-620-8DNR (8367) or via e-mail at customerservice@dnr.state.md.us.