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FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORY
For information on the fish consumption advisory program and the status of water bodies across the state go to
the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy website: deq.ne.gov/NDEQProg.nsf/OnWeb/FCA.
TOURNAMENTS, CONTESTS AND DERBIES
Registration – All fishing tournaments, derbies or contests that require an entry fee, on publicly owned,
controlled or managed waters, must be registered with Game and Parks' Fisheries Division at least 45 days before
the event. In addition, it is strongly suggested that all fishing tournaments, including those that do not charge an
entry fee, register in order to avoid user conflicts. Download a registration form at OutdoorNebraska.gov.
Special Occasion Permit – If the tournament is to be held at a state park or state recreation area, also contact
the park superintendent to complete a Special Occasion Permit.
Denial – An event may be denied if the date and location conflict with a previously approved event. Denial
also may be based on safety concerns due to low water or anticipated heavy use that could result in boat ramp
congestion or if tournament organization does not follow all tournament registration and invasive species rules.
Special Conditions – Game and Parks may impose special conditions for a fishing tournament, derby or contest
if deemed necessary to protect the resource or to assure public safety. Special conditions may include aerated
livewells, release of live fish, designated release areas, on-the-water measurements, and immediate release of
fish with no on-shore weigh-in ceremony. Tournament directors will be provided instructions on how to operate
their tournament to reduce mortality in no harvest/weigh-in tournaments. All watercraft are required to adhere
to the Clean, Drain and Dry protocol before launching to ensure that no aquatic invasive species are being
transported from another body of water.
Certificate – A Fishing Tournament Approval Certificate must be present at the tournament site.
Posted Dates – The tournament dates will be listed at OutdoorNebraska.gov/fishingtournaments.
Results – A results form will be sent to the tournament director. This form must be completed and returned to
the Fisheries Division within 30 days following the completion of the fishing tournament. Failure to return the
completed form or provide the requested information will result in denial of future fishing-tournament requests for
at least one year.
Tagged Fish – The use of tagged or otherwise marked fish is prohibited in any fishing tournament, derby or
contest held on waters owned or controlled and stocked by Game and Parks during the preceding 24 months,
excluding private lakes not owned by the state or other governmental entity.
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