Kenora Walleye Open

Catch, Record, Release (CRR) Format to be used for fish 23” and over at the Kenora Walleye Open

Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, the Kenora Walleye Open has made the move to August 8^th & 9^th for the 2020 tournament. In August, Lake of the Woods records some of its highest water surface temperatures of the season. High water temps are especially hard on larger fish kept for a period of time in live wells.

As a result of consulting with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and many tournament Anglers, we have decided to adopt a CRR format for fish over 23” for 2020 Only. Our goal is to keep the excitement of catching big walleyes a but reduce or completely remove big fish mortality due to high water surface temps.

What is CRR?

CRR is short for Catch, Record, Release.

With CRR, KWO teams will measure each walleye over 23” on a “Judge” tournament ruler and take a digital photograph of the fish on the ruler clearly showing the head and tail, and then immediately release the live fish. NO Big fish are brought to the weight scale. Instead, the tournament anglers select the largest walleye for their final weight and send the photo and measurement to the weighmaster via text (photo example below). The length of each walleye is converted to weight in pounds using a standardized formula.

How will this be Implemented?

There will still be a standard weigh in at the end of each day.

The Kenora Walleye has decided to go with CRR for fish over 23” ONLY. Slot fish 18 inches and under will still be weighedby the tournament weigh master as in prior years and will keep the same end of day weigh-in procedure anglers are familiar with.

Details

This new CRR format for fish over 23” is for 2020 only.
A “Judge” ruler is required. Rulers will be available.
Anglers will use their cell phones to take pictures and send only their longest fish each day to prior to the end of that day’s fishing hours.
Each angler will receive a special token each that must be visible in the CRR photo. Tokens must be returned by the end of the fishing day or their CRR weight will not count.
Fish over 23” must be released immediately after you take a picture and measurement.
All CRR measurements will be verified by the tournament directors.
Slot size fish 18 inches and under are still required to be weighed at the weigh-in.
Only up to 4 fish 18 inches and under will be allowed in any teams live well at any time.
Only 3 slots per team will be accepted for weigh-in if that team submits a CRR Picture and Measurement.
Total daily weight for each team will be one fish over 23” CRR calculated weight plus 3 slot fish 18” and under OR 4 slot fish 18” and under. Only 4 fish per team per day will be counted.