New year, new quest: bass and catfish challenges begin
Arizona waters are home to some really large bass and catfish. Conservation of these special-sized fish is increasingly important as more anglers catch them and we continue stocking efforts to increase opportunities to catch a behemoth bass or catfish.
We’re encouraging anglers to participate in the new AZ Hawg Bass and AZ Fat Cat challenges that start today and run though 2019.
Here’s how they work:
AZ Hawg Bass Challenge
This challenge is a three-tiered, voluntary, incentive-based conservation program designed to encourage anglers to learn about and pursue monster largemouth bass (hawgs) while encouraging and celebrating catch-and-release fishing.
Categories:
Hawg Bass Conservation Challenge-5 pounds or 21 inches
To complete this challenge, catch an 5-pound or 21-inch or larger largemouth bass. Verify your big fish by taking a picture while weighing or measuring it following the rules and guidelines listed. Release your fish quickly back into the lake where you caught it. Submit your picture via BFishing@azgfd.gov. Make sure you include a valid email address so that you can be contacted. A Department biologist will contact you to discuss all the great details of your catch. Your picture will be posted on the Hawg Bass Conservation Board.
Hawg Bass Memory Challenge-8 pounds or 24 inches
To complete this challenge, catch an 8-pound or 24-inch or larger largemouth bass. Verify your hawg by taking a picture of the fish while being weighed or measured following the rules and guidelines listed. Release your fish quickly back into the lake where you caught it. Submit your picture via BFishing@azgfd.gov. Make sure you include a valid email address so that you can be contacted. A Department biologist will contact you to discuss all the great details of your catch and get your information to send you an AZ Hawg Bass fishing shirt and decal for your truck or boat to celebrate your catch. Your picture will also be posted on the Hawg Bass Conservation Board.
Ten pound club- 10 pounds or 26 inches
To be in the 10-pound club, catch an 10-pound or 26-inch or larger largemouth bass. Verify your hawg by taking a picture of the fish while being weighed or measured following the rules and guidelines listed. Release your fish quickly back into the lake where you caught it. Submit your picture via BFishing@azgfd.gov. Make sure you include a valid email address so that you can be contacted. A Department biologist will contact you to discuss all the great details of your catch and get your information to send you a fishing shirt with the 10 pound club, AZ Hawg Bass Challenge artwork as a way to celebrate your catch, and your picture will be posted on the Hawg Bass Conservation Board on FISHAZ.AZGFD.com. You’ll also be entered into a drawing to be held in February each year for a prize valued at over $1,000!
See complete rules and more information.
AZ Fat Cat Challenge
This is a voluntary, incentive-based, conservation program designed to encourage anglers to learn about and pursue giant flathead and channel catfish while encouraging catch-and-release on individual fish that exceed the designated weight or length.
Designated Lengths and Weights:
- Flathead Catfish- 40 pounds or 45 inches
- Channel Catfish-15 pounds or 36 inches
How to complete the challenge:
Catch a 40-pound or larger flathead catfish or a 15-pound or larger channel catfish. Verify your catch by taking a picture of the fish while being weighed or measured following the rules and guidelines listed. Release your fish quickly back into the lake or river where you caught it. Submit your picture via BFishing@azgfd.gov. Make sure you include a valid email address so that you can be contacted. A Department biologist will contact you to discuss all the great details of your catch and get your information to send you an AZ Fat Cat Challenge fishing shirt and decal for your truck or boat to celebrate your catch. Your picture will also be posted on the Fat Cat Conservation Board on FISHAZ.AZGFD.com.
Our goals for both challenges are:
- Conservation through catch-and-release of the biggest, oldest, most valuable individuals in waters the Department is managing for bass and catfish as well as promoting catch and release of large brood fish in all bass and catfish waters.
- Excite anglers about Arizona fishing, encourage them to purchase licenses and fish more, resulting in benefits to anglers, fishing-related businesses, local communities and the fisheries by having more support and funding for conservation.
- Collect valid information through citizen science about memorable bass and catfish to help the Department better enhance, conserve and promote fishing for bass and catfish.
- Share information about fishing opportunities and destinations to make fishing more enjoyable.
See complete rules and more information.
