Main Event Rules & Regulations

1. Dates: July 1 - August 31
2. Tournament Registration Options: 
           All-in-One Off-Shore Species Event: $25/Angler (Online at Fish Donkey)
           All-in-One Near-Shore Species Event: 425/Angler (Online at Fish Donkey)
           Lake Ontario Boat Event: $125/Boat (Online at Fish Donkey)
    (NOTE: Anglers may enter one or all events, separate entries apply)
    (NOTE: See rules and regs for each specific event in Fish Donkey which coordinate with these rules)

**All anglers must register the day before they start entering fish**

3. Cash payout based on number of anglers/boats entered per event division or species.
    a. Youth anglers (16 and under) may register in the general tournaments same as the adults. There may be 
        additional specific prize awards for youth anglers (based on sponsorship supplies).
4. Additional prizes to be awarded (when available):
    a. Grand Slam Prizes: TBD
         1. Includes all 7 Off-Shore event species in a combined total score. 
         2. Includes all 7 Near-Shore event species in a combined total score.
    b. Overall Prizes for largest fish caught on a specific product (picture or video may be required)(when 
        available).
    c. Cash Prizes for overall largest fish entered for each species during the event: (see Cash Payouts)
    d. Monthly cash awards for the overall largest fish entered each month (starts at 1,200+ anglers).
​    e. Weekly cash awards for the Leading Fish of each category (starts at 251 anglers): increments to $25/species            category then capped.
        1. Each angler may only win one Weekly Award per species, but may win multiple awards across species.
    f.  Fish Mounts, large prize items, & additional cash awards at higher attendance levels.
    g.  Product specific awards - requires either a picture or video clearly showing the product being used. 
         Picture/video must be submitted on the same day the fish is entered. (when available)
    h.  Large prize package winners (valued $600 or more) will be responsible for all fees, taxes, registration, 
         delivery/pick-up, and any other associated expenses. In some cases cash supplements may be added 
         to offset taxes.
6. No minimum or maximum age, all anglers are considered equal including youth anglers.
7. Fish from other derbies and tournaments can be entered into the Summer Classic pending other Tournament’s 
        rules and regulations.
8. Ceremony & Awards Dinner: (TBD pending 500+ angler participation)
    a. If the event draws in over 500 anglers, first, second & third place winners in the Tournament will be required at 
        the awards ceremony to be eligible to receive prize(s) and/or money. All other placements are not required 
        to attend but are encouraged to attend in case of a disqualification. 
    b. Anglers do not have to be present to receive door prizes drawn before or during the event (door prizes to be 
        randomly drawn during online LIVE events), however anglers must be present to win door prizes given out at 
        the award ceremony. Prizes won are the sole responsibility of the winner to arrange for pick-up at tourney 
        headquarters or pay shipping expenses. Any prizes not claimed by/at the awards ceremony are forfeited and 
        put back into the tourney prize pool for future events.
9. Species Divisions:
       Off-Shore Species Event: 7 (
                                                      Drum / Sheepshead, Walleye, and Northern Pike)
       Near-Shore Species Event: 7 (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, Crappie,
                                                        Yellow Perch, Panfish (sunfish & bluegill), Catfish)
        Lake Ontario Boat Event: 1 (All Salmon & Trout Combined (Best-5 Stringer))

    a. Enter any fish caught in New York State, any place, on any waterway (open water, rivers, tributaries, piers, 
        canals, etc.) by legal angling method per NYS DEC regulations. Each fish entered must be registered by the 
        angler who caught the fish – no sharing between anglers (except for the Lake Ontario Boat Event). 
        1) Fish must be entered using the Fish Donkey App at the time of the catch (ideally ​within a couple minutes of 
            landing the fish - no freezer or ice marks, cloudy eyes, discoloration, etc.). 
        2) Fish must be free from foreign objects: lures, hooks, and anything on/in it's mouth or on its tail (bait, 
            minnows, weeds, etc.).
        3) Fish can be measured using a manufactured bump board (no home-made boards, no stickers) or a 
            commercial grade retractable metal ruler and must be touching the 90 degree bend in the board or object                  used with the tape measure (fish must be oriented with mouth closed - an open mouth will result in a 1" 
            penalty). Anglers can pinch the tail for maximum length. 
        4) Pictures used for fish measurement and verification must be clear: i.e. the full view of the fish on the bump             board must clearly show the head touching the front of the board and the tail with the numbers clearly 
            showing the measurement. Multiple pictures can be submitted to ensure fish entry.
        5) All fish should be oriented with the zero end to the LEFT and belly towards the angler.

        6) Entering Fish:
            Pictures used for fish measurement and verification must be clear: i.e. the full view of and the tail making 
            the measurement with the numbers clearly visible. Pictures of the fish should be taken directly overhead and 
            not at an angle. Multiple pictures can be submitted (and are encouraged) to ensure visibility and fish entry. 

            The following (4) pictures are suggested for all fish entered:
                  1) Whole fish on the bump board clearly showing the front of the fish touching the front of the board and 
                       the tail making the measurement (no foreign objects may be present on or in front of the head or tail 
                       that obstructs the verification of the measurement).
                  2) Close-up of the entire head of the fish while on the board, taken as directly overhead as possible.
                  3) Close-up of the entire tail while on the board, taken as directly overhead as possible.
                  4) Angler holding the fish at the time of the catch and clearly including the angler's face and some 
                       indication of the waterway.
                  5) (optional) We highly suggest shooting a short video scanning down the fish making sure to show the 
                      front of the fish touching the board, the fish mouth closed, and the measurement.
             NOTE: If using a folding bump board, you should also submit one or more pictures (or a video) showing 
                         that the board is laying perfectly flat with the fish on top during measurement. 
             NOTE: We must be able to verify the following for all fish:
                         1) Nose touching the zero end of the board.
                         2) Clearly see the measurement made by the tail.
                         3) The full fish positioned on the board verifying 1 & 2 above.
                         4) The angler who caught the fish with facial recognition.
                         5) Some portion of the waterway indicating the fish was just caught.
            Alternate Measurement Protocol w/ a Retractable Ruler:
                  If you catch a fish that is longer than your bump board, or if you do not have a bump board, and you 
                  want to use a metal retractable ruler, you must follow all steps of this protocol for your fish to be eligible 
                  for entry:
                  1) Use a commercial grade metal retractable ruler coupled with a vertical surface to act as the zero-
                      mark.
                  2) Take the required pictures in the Fish Donkey app as stated in the general measurement method 
                      above for verification.
                  3) Include a video showing the ruler beyond the fish measurement retracting back into its housing. 
                      Failure to provide this video will DQ the catch. 
                  4) (optional) We also suggest shooting a short video scanning down the fish making sure to show the 
                      nose touching the vertical zero surface, mouth closed, and tail measurement.
            Additional Alternative Measurement Protocols:
                  Other methods of measurement may be used in conjunction with an approved bump board but must be 
                  approved by the tourney director for entry to be verified. It is highly suggested that the angler contact the 
                  tourney director at the time of entry for approval and to ensure all required information is gathered.
        5) Fish caught via bow fishing and intentionally snagged/foul-hooked fish are not eligible. Only fish caught via 
            rod & reel are eligible. 
        6) Fish may be kept or released at angler's discretion. No fish are required to be kept for the event.
        7) Anglers can place in more than one category, but can place only once in each category.
    f. Fish must be measured and entered on the day it was caught at the time it was caught.
       1.If caught during another event that prohibits the required pictures from being taken, angler must follow the 
            "Other Tourney Protocol" listed on Fish Donkey.
    g. Tournament ends at 11:59:59pm on August 31st. 
    h. C&R practices are encouraged but not required.
10. Online registration typically opens March 1st.
11. An online leaderboard of current winning fish will be kept in real time on the Fish Donkey App & website. An 
        additional leader board will be kept updated weekly on the Summer Classic website.
12. Length determines winner, in case of a tie earliest entry takes the higher place.
13. Tournament recommends fishing with a witness in case of a dispute, but a witness is not required.
14. Any individual questioning an entry or denial of an entry can request a review by the tournament committee 
        composed of 5 individuals within 48 hours of fish verification. The dispute will be reviewed and voted on. The 
        determination by the committee will be final. After 48 hours from verification an entry cannot be contested.
15. Any angler dispute must be presented in writing to the tournament director within 24 hours of the conclusion of 
        the Summer Classic Event.
16. In the event of a disqualification, all monies from the main event and any other winnings will be reallocated and 
      mailed out after all disqualifications have been verified, reported, and all funds have been redeposited for 
      distribution. 
17. The NYS Ice Pro-Am Corporation reserves the right to refuse entry of any individual, team, or boat, in particular 
        those who have been found guilty of cheating in other events, offering favoritism in any form, or any negativity 
        expressed in any form regarding the NYS Classic events before, during, or after an event concludes. Likewise, 
        any participant who harasses, posts negatively on and/or makes negative comments online or in person, or 
        sheds negative light on the event, the director, the tourney committee, any associated sponsors, or any other 
        entity associated or involved with this or any other event run by the NYS Ice Pro-Am Corporation in any 
        capacity before, during, or after the event concludes, may be disqualified on grounds of poor
        sportsmanship/conduct and have their placements, all cash, and any associated prizes or trophies not yet 
        issued denied.
18. Any cash and/or prize awarded in any combination with a retail value exceeding $350 may require a W-9 IRS 
        tax form to be filled out prior to release of the Prize/Award. 1099 forms will then be issued for any cash prize 
        and/or award won exceeding $600 in total value based on the combined yearly total of all events overseen by 
        the NYS Ice Pro-Am Corporation (NYS Winter Classic, NYS Summer Classic, GLSS, USA Showdown Events, 
        NYS HRC, and all IPA Events).
​19. All photos and videos submitted to the tournament are considered the property of the NYS Ice Pro-Am 
        Corporation and can be used in any way deemed appropriate by the Tournament Officials.
20. All decisions by the Tournament Officials will be made in good faith and considered final. Tournament Director 
        may at any time add or amend the tournament rules and will notify all participants of such changes.
21. All participants agree to enter at their own risk and with full knowledge and acceptance of these rules and agree 
        to abide by them in their entirety, and likewise agree not to hold any person or entity in association with the 
        NYS Classic, Great Lakes Salmon Showdown, or Ice Pro-Am Tournaments nor the NYS Ice Pro-Am 
        Corporation liable for any mishap or misfortune. 
22. Questions? Email: info@fksportfishing.com or call Tournament Director Tim Thomas at (585) 330-0494.


Updates Posted Here:

All registrants are encouraged to print a copy of the rules and read them in their entirety. Species/Division specific rules & regs are listed in the Fish Donkey App and Website. 
NYS Summer Classic Tournament
General Rules & Regulations