SPECIES	Region 1		Region 2		Region 3		Region 4		Region 5		Region 6
	KEPT	C&R	KEPT	C&R	KEPT	C&R	KEPT	C&R	KEPT	C&R	KEPT	C&R
	lbs.	inches	lbs.	inches	lbs.	inches	lbs.	inches	lbs.	inches	lbs.	inches
Largemouth Bass	6½	22	10	24	6½*	22*	6½	22	6½	22	-	-
Smallmouth Bass	5	20	5	20	5	20	5½	21	5½	21	-	-
Spotted Bass	3	18	5	20	5	20	-	-	-	-	-	-
White Bass	2½	17	3	18	2½	17	2½	17	2½	17	-	-
Striped Bass	22	36	28	37	28	37	-	-	-	-	35	40
Hybrid Striped Bass	9	24	10	26	9	24	-	-	-	-	-
Bluegill	1½	11	1½	11	1½	11	1½	11	1½	11	-	-
Redear Sunfish	1½	13	1½	13	1½	13	-	-	-	-	-	-
Crappie (Black or White)	2	14	2¼	15	2¼	15	2	14	2	14	-	-
Yellow Perch	1½	15	1½	15	1½	15	1½	15	1½	15	-	-
Sauger	3	21	3	21	3	21	3	21	3	21	-	-
Walleye	10	30	10	30	10	30	10	30	10	30	-	-
Saugeye	6	25	6	25	6	25	6	25	6	25	-	-
Northern Pike	17	40	12	36	12	36	22	43	17	40	-	-
Muskellunge	28	46	28	46	20	40	30	48	28	46	-	-
Hybrid Muskie	18	38	18	38	18	38	18	38	18	38	-	-
Blue Catfish	40	42	40	42	30	38	-	-	-	-	-	-
Channel Catfish	18	30	20	32	20	32	20	32	18	30	-	-
Flathead Catfish	44	42	40	42	35	40	25	36	25	36	-	-
Chinook Salmon	20	36	-	-	-	-	-	-	28	40	40	45
Coho Salmon	12	32	-	-	12	32	-	-	12	32	16	34
Brown Trout	8	24	10	27	10	27	8	24	16	32	-	-
Rainbow Trout/Steelhead	8	24	8	24	8	24	8	24	14	30	18	38
Brook Trout	3	18	3	18	3	18	4	19	4	19	-	-
Lake Trout	16	34	12	32	20	35	22	36	16	34	-	-
Carp (Common or Grass)	25	34	25	34	25	34	25	34	25	34	-	-
Chain Pickerel	4	24	4	24	-	-	4	24	-	-	-	-

Achievement Awards

Anglers who enter qualifying fish receive a Master Angler patch (one per year) and species chevron.

Selective Harvest

Selective Harvest is wise conservation of our natural resources. It maintains a tradition of harvesting some fish to eat, as they’re nutritious, delicious, and renewable when harvested wisely. Large predators and large panfish must be released to sustain good fishing. Only numerous and smaller fish should be kept.

Recognition Certificate

In each region, anglers who enter the largest kept or largest released fish of a species receive a Master Angler parchment certificate suitable for framing.

Rules for 2024

1. In-Fisherman readers and television viewers are eligible to apply for Master Angler awards.
2. Fish must be taken by angling and in accordance with regulations of the state or province where the fish was caught.
3. Each entry must be submitted online at in-fisherman.com or received by mail within 30 days of the catch (no exceptions). The witness verification section of the entry form is required for kept fish, but not released fish. Otherwise, all sections of the entry form must be completed. Entries without photos, and illegible or incomplete entries, will be disqualified and not returned.
4. PHOTO REQUIREMENTS: Released fish: Each entry must include a photograph of the entire fish on or next to a ruler showing clear measurement of the fish. Length of released fish should be measured from the tip of the mouth (mouth closed) to the farthest tip of the tail fin. A second photo of the angler holding the fish is highly encouraged for possible publication. Photographs of released fish must be taken at the catch site (no exceptions). No driveway or baitshop shots for catch and release fish are acceptable. Don’t hang fish to be released on a scale, impale them on a gaff, or place them on a stringer. Fish showing signs of improper handling will be disqualified.
   Kept fish: Each entry must be accompanied by one clear, photograph showing the entire fish. Anglers are encouraged to submit a photo of the angler holding the fish, and the entire fish should be shown in the photo. Fish showing signs of improper handling will be disqualified.
5. Kept fish must be witnessed, and weighed on a scale.
6. Include a brief description of how the fish was caught.
7. Entry and photograph become the property of In-Fisherman with publication and television rights.
8. The awards program runs from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2024. Entries must be received by Jan. 31, 2025, to qualify for the 2024 program.
9. Each entry is reviewed by the awards committee whose decision is final.
10. Only one kept and two released fish per species may be entered during the awards program year (no upgrading allowed).
11. Each entry must be submitted by angler catching fish and not by guide service or fishing lodge.

Master Angler Entry Form

* Qualifying entries are eligible to win products from the sponsors above, based on a random drawing at the end of the award year.