Official Rules & Regulations
River Country Bassmasters
Buffalo Lake Open
Sunday April 27th, 2025
Tournament Hours 7:00AM to 3:00PM
1. Entry and Eligibility: Entry fee is $135.00 per team (2 anglers per team) $150 DAY OFF ENTRY and it includes Big
Bass entry of $15.00 per team (pays 2 places). THERE WILL BE A 6 FISH LIMIT PER TEAM. Entries will be limited
to the first 50 teams. All contestants must be at least 18 years of age to be eligible for cash awards. There is an
80% payout.
2. Safety: Tournament contestants must observe safe boat conduct at all times. Each competitor must wear an
USCG approved chest type life preserver any time the combustion engine is running. NO ALCOHOLIC
BEVERAGES ALLOWED DURING THE TOURNAMENT HOURS!!!!
3. Boat + Motor: The horsepower of the motor may not exceed the USCG rating. Each boat must be equipped with
an aerated livewell large enough to maintain a live limit of bass. Boats must be a minimum of 16 feet and have a
minimum of a 40hp motor.
4. Tackle + Equipment: Only artificial baits may be use (Pork strips + rinds are OK). Only 1 rod and reel may be
used at a time (Others may be rigged and ready). No live or prepared baits are allowed. NO MOTOR TROLLING.
5. Scoring: Final winners will be determined by the total weight (Pounds to the .00) during the tournament. THERE
WILL BE A 6 FISH LIMIT PER TEAM. Only largemouth and smallmouth bass, 14 inches in length and longer will
count towards the teams score. Golden rule will be used. All fish will be measured closed mouth and closed tail.
All bass must be caught alive and in a sporting manner. Each team is expected to make every effort to keep their
bass alive and healthy. There will be a 4 ounce penalty for each dead fish, and each dead fish will be counted as
part of the teams 6 fish limit. In the case of a tie, the most bass registered by a team will prevail, if still tied the
teams involved will split the prize money involved equally. A coin toss will decide trophies.
6. Sportsmanship: All competitors are expected to follow the highest standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety,
and conservation. All Wisconsin fishing and boating regulations must be followed. Having a non-competitor sit
in your spot is prohibited and will result in a disqualification.
7. Tournament Waters: Tournament waters will consist of all navigable waters, unless designated at the pre-
tournament meeting. There is no cutoff for pre-fishing tournament waters.
8. Pre-Tournament Meeting: Meeting will be held at the tournament headquarters 6:30 AM the morning of the
tournament. All contestants must be present at this meeting, and all boats must be in the water and inspected
9. Protests + Rule Interpretation: Any protest must be filed with the tournament director within 30 minutes of the
close of the tournament. The interpretation of the rules shall be the responsibility of the tournament
committee. All decisions of the tournament committee president will be final.
10. STARTING POSITION WILL BE DETERMINED BY RETURN OF COMPLETED ENTRY AND ENTRY FEES. FIRST IN- FIRST
PRIORITY FOR STARTING POSITION. CUTOFF FOR ACCEPTING REGULAR APPLICATIONS IS APRIL 1st 2025. ANY
APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER APRIL 1st MUST BE CASH OR CERTIFIED CHECK. MORNING OF REGISTRATION IS
ALLOWED BUT IS $150 CASH ONLY.
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