THE DERBY

1. The Ultimate Walleye Derby is a big fish derby on the waters of the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, St. Clair River, lower Lake Huron, Saginaw Bay, and Saginaw River. Fish may be caught while fishing from a boat or on shore. Pier fishing and River fishing are allowed.
2. Fishing is allowed on the following bodies of water:
a. Saginaw Bay
b. Saginaw River
c. St. Clair River (Michigan and Canadian Waters)
d. Lake St. Clair (Michigan and Canadian Waters)
e. Detroit River (Michigan and Canadian Waters)
f. Lake Huron (Michigan and Canadian Waters south of 44° 19.000’N)

g. Lake Erie (Michigan Waters)
h. Lake Erie (Canadian Waters north of 41° 56.957’N) (See Below)

The derby consists of four (4) weekly derbies which start on 3/30/24 at 12:01am and end on 4/28/24 at 8:00pm.
-Week 1: 3/30/24-4/5/24
-Week 2: 4/6/24-4/12/24
-Week 3: 4/13/24-4/19/24
-Week 4: 4/20/24- 4/28/24
4. Each weekly derby begins on the following dates: 3/30/24, 4/6/24, 4/13/24, and 4/20/24.
5. There is one division of this tournament, Walleye ONLY. All other species are not eligible for entry.
6. Derby standings (fish weights) in the Walleye Division do not carry over from week to week. Participants who weigh in a fish during a previous week are not allowed to carry over their standings to any of the remaining weeks. When a week is completed, the leaderboard resets, which happens on the days listed above (Line #3).
7. Each weekly derby ends on the following Friday(s): 4/5/24, 4/12/24, 4/19/24except for the 4/20/24 weekly derby, which will have a duration of eight (8) days, ending Sunday, 4/28/24 at 8:00pm.
8. The leaderboard will be updated on www.theultimatewalleyederby.com every night. The unofficial weekly results will be released within 72 hours of week completion. Official results will not be announced until all validation of results, lie detector testing, and fish examination is complete.
9. The participant that weighs-in (enters) a fish to be registered into the derby must be the person that had rod in hand and reeled in the fish at the time it was removed from the water. Participant may net their own fish or have another participant net their fish for them. A fish cannot be registered in the derby if caught by another angler.
10.Participants must take a picture and/or video of the fish as soon as it is boated. The picture and/or video must then be emailed to fish@theultimatesalmonderby.com as soon as possible. If a participant does not submit a picture or video, their entry is subject to review.
11. Participants may only win ONE prize spot in the Walleye Divisions for the entirety of the four (4) week derby. The Boat Ticket Division is an EXTRA prize category in which ONLY Boat Ticket Holders qualify.

Walleye Division
12. There will be one (1) Ultimate Prize awarded to the participant who enters the overall heaviest Walleye in The 2024 Ultimate Walleye Derby in accordance with The Official 2024 Ultimate Walleye Derby Rules. This Walleye shall hereby be known as “THE ULTIMATE WALLEYE.” The Ultimate Walleye Prize winner is not eligible for a Weekly 1st place prize.
a. The Ultimate Prize has an approximate retail value of $50,000 USD. Registration and all applicable fees and taxes are the responsibility of the participant who wins the Ultimate Prize.
13.There will be three (3) Weekly 1st place prizes awarded to the participant who enters the heaviest Walleye in each of the remaining three (3) weeks of The Ultimate Walleye Derby.
a. The Weekly 1st Place Prize has an approximate retail value of $35,000 USD. Registration and all applicable fees and taxes are the responsibility of the participant who wins.
14. There will be four (4) Weekly 2nd place prizes for the second heaviest Walleye weighed weekly into The Ultimate Walleye Derby.
a. The Weekly 2nd Place Prize has an approximate retail value of $3000.
15.There will be four (4) Weekly 3rd place prizes for the third heaviest Walleye weighed weekly into The Ultimate Walleye Derby.
a. The Weekly 3rd Place Prize has an approximate retail value of $1000.
16.There will be four (4) Weekly 4th place prizes for the fourth heaviest Walleye weighed weekly into The Ultimate Walleye Derby.
a. The Weekly 4th Place Prize has an approximate retail value of $300.
17. There will be four (4) Weekly 5th place prizes for the fifth heaviest Walleye weighted weekly into The Ultimate Walleye Derby.
a. The Weekly 5th Place Prize has an approximate retail value of $300.

Boat Ticket Division
18. The Ultimate Walleye Derby will have one (1) Ultimate Boat Ticket Prize winner awarded to the boat ticket holder who enters the heaviest Walleye in The Boat Ticket Division. The Ultimate Boat Ticket Prize winner is not eligible for a Weekly 1st place boat ticket prize.
a. The Ultimate Boat Ticket Prize has an approximate retail value of $5000.
19. There will be three (3) Weekly 1st place boat ticket prizes awarded to the boat ticket holder who enters the heaviest Walleye in the boat division each of the remaining three (3) weeks of The Ultimate Walleye Derby.
a. The Weekly 1st Place Prize has an approximate retail value of $3000.
20. There will be four (4) Weekly 2nd place prizes for the second heaviest Walleye in the boat division.
a. The Weekly 2nd Place Prize has an approximate retail value of $500.
21. There will be four (4) Weekly 3rd place prizes for the third heaviest Walleye in the boat division.
a. The Weekly 3rd Place has an approximate retail value of $200.

Derby Tickets
22. Derby tickets are ONLINE ONLY at www.theultimatewalleyederby.com and are non-transferable and non-refundable.
23. Derby tickets MUST be purchased at least 48 hours in advance of fishing.
24. Derby tickets are valid from 1/1/24 to 12/31/24.
25. All participants of The Ultimate Walleye Derby MUST have a valid derby ticket prior to the weigh in of fish.
26. Derby Ticket Options:
● Boat Ticket (covers all persons aboard boat)
$1300
● Family Ticket (2 adults, 3 children under 18 y/o)
$300
● Individual Ticket
$100
● Daily Ticket
$40
27. To be considered a registered participant in The Ultimate Walleye Derby, the participant must either:
a. Buy a daily ticket or individual ticket in their own name.
b. Buy a family ticket which names the participants in their own names.
i. Participants fishing under a Family Ticket must reside in the same household. The family ticket allows the ticket holder (adult), to include one (1) additional adult and (up to) three (3) children (under 18) to participate. Persons registered under a family ticket must be named at time of purchase of the ticket.
c. Be fishing on a boat that has a “boat ticket” while the boat ticket holder is present. Person(s) will be considered “participants” only while aboard said boat with “boat ticket”.
i. All boat ticket participants (Boat captain(s) and boat name) will be listed on www.theultimatewalleyederby.com
ii. A boat ticket will be registered to the captain and boat registration number (MC Number or documented USCG name) and cannot be transferred to any other boat.
iii. All persons fishing on a registered boat in which that captain has a boat ticket are eligible to enter a fish in The Ultimate Walleye Derby.
iv. The boat ticket purchaser may elect one Alternate Captain on the registration for co-owned (for example: father/son or joint ownership) only on the registered boat.
v. The boat ticket holder may also use their ticket as an individual ticket. This does NOT apply to alternate captain.
vi. If a winning fish was caught on a boat that has been registered under a boat ticket, the person named on the boat ticket is eligible for boat ticket prizes (excluding alternate captain).
vii. Charter clients or any persons fishing on a registered boat in which that captain has a boat ticket agrees to all terms and conditions and MUST sign a waiver prior to fishing.
28. All participants under the age of 18 (minor) can NOT purchase their own ticket. The legal guardian is required to purchase the derby ticket and acknowledge the terms and conditions at time of purchase. The legal guardian agrees to all terms and conditions of The Ultimate Walleye Derby on behalf of the minor. Legal guardian will assume all liability of the waiver for the minor.
29. All participants must have a valid fishing license that correlates to the waters being fished. For example, if fishing in Michigan waters, you must possess a Michigan fishing license. Fish must be legally caught in accordance with the fishing laws of that state. Any indications of an illegally caught fish will lead to immediate disqualification from The 2024 Ultimate Walleye Derby.
30. When fishing from a boat (non-boat ticket):
a. All persons aboard MUST be registered participants.
b. If there are non-participants on a boat, whether they are fishing or not, any fish that is caught and weighed-in on that fishing outing will be disqualified. No exceptions.
c. The Ultimate Walleye Derby Official(s) may inspect boats at any time to ensure all boat occupants hold tickets.
If fishing from a boat, the boat must be legally registered, legally operated and legally equipped with all required equipment and safety devices.

Weigh-In
32. Fish may only be weighed in between 6am-8pm daily. Weigh stations are independently owned and operated; be sure to check with individual weigh stations and note that hours may vary. The Ultimate Walleye Derby makes no guarantee to the hours of operation of each independent weigh station.
33. To weigh any fish in The Ultimate Walleye Derby you must present a valid derby ticket number, valid fishing license and a photo ID (or birth certificate for a minor) to the weigh station attendant or the weigh in becomes invalid and that fish will be disqualified.
34. If a participant fishes on a boat ticket and weighs in a fish, that boat ticket holder MUST be present at weigh-in. If that boat ticket holder is not present, that fish will be disqualified from The Ultimate Walleye Derby.
35. Only One (1) Fish is allowed per participant to be registered for the duration of the tournament. If a participant weighs in multiple fish, only the heaviest fish entered will be considered.
36. In order for a fish to be eligible for weigh in, the fish must be a minimum length of 25 inches. Length is considered from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail with the tail pinched.
37. Fish will be weighed to the nearest hundredth of a pound (.01).
38. Winning Fish will be by weight. Ties will be determined by which fish was weighed in first. First weighed in fish wins the tiebreaker.
39. All Ultimate Walleye Derby scales are calibrated professionally prior to the start of the Derby. We understand that other events utilize different scales that may create discrepancies. In the case of a weight difference between scales, the weight provided by the Official Ultimate Walleye Derby scale will be final and official.
40. Once a fish is weighed in and registered with the derby, the gill plate will be marked with a hole punch (done at the weigh station). An entered fish cannot be re-weighed at any other weigh station. Weigh stations will not accept fish for entry into the derby if said fish has a gill plate hole. Any attempt to re-weigh an entered fish will lead to immediate disqualification of the participant from The 2024 Ultimate Walleye Derby.
41. A registered participant may weigh their fish at any other tournament. Once a fish is withheld by the weigh station and is considered a current leader of the derby, it will NOT be returned to the participant until the completion of the derby week. It is recommended that fish are weighed in other tournaments prior to weighing in at The Ultimate Walleye Derby.
42. Any Fish that is weighed in and entered in the derby must have been caught no earlier than 24 hours prior to being weighed in. Any fish that is suspected longer than 24 hours since being caught will not be weighed. It is the responsibility of the angler to keep the fish as fresh as possible to ensure that it will be accepted for registration into the derby. Any fish that is frozen, badly deteriorated, washed out and dead for a long period of time will be disqualified. The weigh station and/or Derby Official will make the ultimate call.
43. An entered fish is the ownership and responsibility of the registered participant. If a fish’s current standing is 1st-3rd for the week or the current overall winner, that fish will be kept by the weigh station for further inspection by the Derby Official. If a participant’s fish gets bumped out of the top 3, it is up to the participant to pick up said fish.
44. After the weekly derby is complete, the Derby Official will thaw the alleged leading fish, re-weigh the fish, and stomach contents will be verified for foreign objects. Fish with a snag, foul hook, gaff or gill net marks, even if taken legitimately by the participant, will not be accepted; nor will a fish that has foreign stomach contents or excessive internal contents. The examination of any fish will be videotaped.
45. On the date of inspection, the registered participant must re-claim possession of the fish.

Prizes
46. Congratulations to all the winners! All prizes will be awarded at the awards ceremony. All prize winners must be present to receive their prize. Under special circumstances, prizes will be shipped to the winners, at the winner’s expense.
47. Prizes are non-transferable with no cash and/or other substitutes for merchandise prizes. All winners are responsible for tax liabilities for all prizes.
48. Prizes will be awarded in accordance with the rules and regulations of The Ultimate Walleye Derby. Prizes will be awarded after the lie detector test is passed (if found necessary) and tax paperwork is completed and returned.
49. Prize winners, along with all parties on board the boat at the time the fish was caught, may be subject to lie detector testing. The derby committee will decide if/when the test will be completed.
50. If a winner is under the age of 18 years, the prize will be awarded to his/her parent or legal guardian. The parent or legal guardian will be responsible for any taxes, fees, or registrations that may be required on the minor’s behalf. The parent or legal guardian must sign and return all required documents that may be required for the minor’s participation in The Ultimate Walleye Derby.
51. Prizes are based on 2550 tickets sold. This includes a combination of daily, individual, family and boat tickets. Prizes are subject to change based on participation.

Cheating
52. Any person who wishes to protest any fish or participant registered in the Ultimate Walleye Derby for a violation of any contest rule or unsportsmanlike conduct, must submit the protest in writing and email it to fish@theultimatesalmonderby.com. A $250 cash protest fee must be presented to the Derby Official in person, at an official weigh station. The protester must state the rule violated and facts known to the protester. All protests must be submitted by email either within 48 hours of the time the protested fish was registered or by 8:00 PM EST on 4/30/24, whichever is earlier. The Derby Official will review all protests. If the protest is found valid, the fee will be returned. If a protest is denied, the $250 protest fee will be forfeited.
53. A participant will be disqualified and removed from the leaderboard after one (1) independent failed lie detector test, which will be provided at no cost to the participant.
54. Any participant summoned by the tournament committee for lie detector test must arrive at their scheduled appointment(s) or they are subject to disqualification.
55. Testing will begin immediately following the close of the derby and results will be finalized on or before May 17, 2024.
56. Any participant disqualified due to the result of the lie detector test will be given their written results as soon as practicable.
57. The Ultimate Walleye Derby LLC reserves the right to refuse any registration of a participant or entered fish.
58. The Ultimate Walleye Derby LLC reserves the right to refuse any registration of a participant who has be proven to have cheated in this or any other event, tournament, or contest.
59. A participant can be disqualified for any violations of the rules, state fishing or game laws, and major boating law violations occurring within The Ultimate Walleye Derby dates.
60. By entering The Ultimate Walleye Derby, participants agree to the use, without charge, of their names and photographs for promotional purposes.
61. Employees or contractors that receive financial compensation from The Ultimate Salmon Derby LLC DBA The Ultimate Walley Derby are NOT eligible to participate in The Ultimate Walleye Derby.
62. The Ultimate Salmon Derby LLC DBA The Ultimate Walley Derby does not endorse any of the Charter Boats that enter the Ultimate Walleye Derby with a boat ticket. The boat ticket simply affords a charter boat client the opportunity to enter the fish they caught in accordance with the rules of The Ultimate Walleye Derby. As a condition of entering The Ultimate Walleye Derby, each Captain, employees of the charter boat and their clients release The Ultimate Walleye Derby from all liability that may be occasioned to any of them because of participating in The Ultimate Walleye Derby.
63. Fishing presents hazards at any time; weather, faulty equipment, and poor seamanship etc. as a condition of entering The Ultimate Walleye Derby. Each participant (and his/her parent or legal guardian, if he/she is a minor) herby releases all employees, directors, representatives, successors, assigns and agents (the “Released Parties”) of the Ultimate Walleye Derby and all Contest Parties for loss, damage or injury suffered during or arising out of negligence of those hereby released.
64. The Ultimate Walleye Derby may, at complete discretion and for any reason, cancel the event, in whole or in part for any reason, including without limitation (a) a withdrawal from the event by sponsors or a failure by sponsors to provide sponsorship funds; (b) acts of God; (c) war, invasion, hostilities (whether war is declared or not), terrorist threats or acts, riot or other civil unrest; (d) government order or law; (e) action by any governmental authority; (f) national or regional emergency; (g) and disease, pandemics and epidemics; The Ultimate Salmon Derby LLC DBA The Ultimate Walley Derby or any employees or contractors will not be liable for not holding the Derby. The Ultimate Salmon Derby LLC DBA The Ultimate Walley Derby at their sole discretion may decide to reimburse ticket holders where appropriate.
65. The Ultimate Walleye Derby may change or modify any of these rules as necessary. Any changes will be communicated via www.theultimatewalleyederby.com or social media.

TICKET PURCHASE CONDITIONS
I AM AWARE AND UNDERSTAND THAT THE DERBY INVOLVES MANY RISKS, DANGERS, AND HAZARDS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY, DEATH OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I AM VOLUNTARILY PARTICIPATING IN THE DERBY. I FREELY ACCEPT AND FULLY ASSUME ANY AND ALL OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS INVOLVED AND THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURY, DEATH, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE, WHETHER CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE ULTIMATE WALLEYE DERBY OWNERS, ORGANIZERS OR OTHERWISE. I  HEREBY EXPRESSELY WAIVE AND RELEASE ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, ACTIONS, DEMANDS, DAMAGES, COSTS, EXPENSES AND COMPENSATION FOR DAMAGE OR LOSS TO MYSELF, HEIRS, AND ANY PERSONAL REPRESENTATION WHICH I HAVE OR MAY HAVE IN THE FUTURE AGAINST THE ULTIMATE WALLEYE DERBY ORGANIZERS, ITS AFFILIATES, OWNERS, PARTNERS, AND THEIR RESPECTIE REPRESENTATIVES, EMPLOYEES, SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS (COLLECTIVELY, “RELEASEES”), ON ACCOUNTS OF BODILY INJURY, ILLNESS, DEATH, MEDICAL TREATMENT OR PROPERTY DAMAGE ARISING OUT OF OR ATTRIBUTABLE TO MY PARTICIPATION IN THE ULTIMATE WALLEYE DERBY DUE TO ANY CAUSE WHATSOVER, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE UTIMATE WALLEYE DERBY OWNERS, ORGANIZERS OR ANY OTHER RELEASEE, BREACH OF THE THEESE TERMS AND CONDITION, OR BREACH OF ANY STUATORY OR OTHER DUTY OF CARE OWING UNDER LEGISLATION. I COVENANT NOT TO MAKE OR BRING ANY SUCH CLAIM AGAINST THE ULTIMATE WALLEYE DERBY, DERBY OWNERS, OR ORGANIZERS OR ANY OTHER RELEASEES AND FOREVER RELEASE AND DISCHARGE THE ULTIMATE WALLEYE DERBY, DERBY OWNERS, ORGANIZERS AND ALL OTHER RELEASEES FROM LIABILITY UNDER SUCH CLAIMS, ACTIONS, DEMANDS, DAMAGES, COST, EXPENSES. I SHALL DEFEND, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS THE ULTIMATE WALLEYE DERBY OWNERS, ORGANIZERS AND ALL OTHER RELESASEES AGAINST ANY AND ALL LOSSES, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES, DEFICIENCIES, CLAIMS, ACTIONS, JUDGMENTS, SETTLEMENTS, INTEREST, AWARDS, PENALTIES, FINES, COSTS, OR EXPENSES OF WHATEVER KIND, INCLUDING REASONABLE LEGAL FEES, IN CONNECTION WITH ANY THIRD-PARTY CLAIM, SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RESULTING FROM THE ULTIMATE WALLEYE DERBY. WHEN PURCHASING A TICKET, AND CLICKING THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT BOX, I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD ALL OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE DERBY. I AM VOLUNTARILY WAIVING SUBSTANTIAL LEGAL RIGHTS (ON MY BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF MY HEIRS, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS AND NEXT-OF-KIN), INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE THE ULTIMATE WALLEYE DERBY OWNERS, ORGANIZERS AND THE RELEASEES.