The Hayward Lakes Chapter of Muskies Inc. and the Hayward Bass Club will host the 2024 Hayward Musky Festival catch-and-release fishing contest June 20-22 on area lakes, rivers and flowages.
The two clubs encourage catch and release and support the efforts of local sportsmen and conservationists in preserving sports fishing in the Hayward area lakes.
Participants can begin fishing at sunrise Thursday June 20 and continue fishing through 3 p.m. Saturday June 22. Registration is at the fish booth on Main Street in downtown Hayward.
When the angler catches a fish, he/she should immediately take a digital photo of it on a commercial bump board or on top of a ruler clearly displaying the length of the entire fish. Have a witness verify that you have released the fish alive. If the fish is smaller than the harvest regulations allow or within a prohibited slot size, you may not transport the fish to a witness; the witness must be with/near you.
If the fish is within the allowable harvest regulations, you may transport the fish to a witness for verification of live release. For example, if you catch a 47-inch musky on the Chippewa Flowage, which has a 50-inch minimum harvest limit, it must be photographed and released with a witness immediately. Fill out the registration form, sign it, have your witness fill out and sign their portion. Bring your completed form and digital or printed photos to the Fish Contest Booth on Main Street from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday or 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday. Photos may also be emailed to muskyfestfish@gmail.com
You may also bring/submit other pictures of you with the fish to be displayed in the booth. To be in contention for the prizes, make sure you are downtown at the Booth at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Official Rules 2024 Musky Fest Fish Contest:
Catch, Photo & Witnessed Release
All Hayward Area Waters may be fished.
All Wisconsin Fishing & Boating Rules apply. Because fishing regulations vary from lake to lake, please refer to current year’s fishing regulations. All legal fishing methods and bait are allowed.
Fish must be caught, photographed, and released from sunrise on Thursday, June 20 through 3 p.m. Saturday, June 22.
Fish must be measured and photographed on a bump board or ruler with the entire fish visible in the picture.
Fish must then be released alive in the presence of a witness who also signs the entry form.
Photos verifying the fish length must be submitted with the signed registration/release forms at the Fish Contest Booth via printed pictures, pictures displayed on electronic devices (phone, tablet, digital camera or laptop) or may be emailed to muskyfestfish@gmail.com
Judges will verify pictures and adjust the official size of fish based on the photos.
A registration/fish release form must be submitted for each fish entered.
Photos of the Angler with the fish may also be brought to the booth or emailed to the contest for display for the public.
First and second place prizes will be awarded in all seven fish categories for both the adult and youth (12 and under) divisions.
The seven fish species categories are: Bluegill/Sunfish, Crappie, Yellow Perch, Bass (Largemouth and Smallmouth combined), Northern Pike, Walleye, and Musky.
Entrants must be present to win at 4 p.m. at the Fishing Contest Booth on Saturday.
There will be a Bluetooth printer at the booth on the first block of Main Street. Pictures will be printed and displayed.
Questions can be directed to Mike at 715-558-2835 or muskyfestfish@gmail.com
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