Catch and Release Program

The Catch and Release program was established in 1985 to encourage the release of game fish.    This program is open to Dakota Angler members and their families.  There are adult and juniors division, no length restrictions for juniors divisions.  Members with the highest length total will be awarded plaques and recognized at the annual meeting in April.  Photos are not required but are encourage so we can feature them on our website and at the annual meeting.  Program details are outlined below.

Adult Division Minimum Length requirements by species:

• Walleye, Sauger, and Saugeye - 20 inches

• Northern Pike and Muskellunge - 30 inches

• Largemouth Bass - 16 inches

• Smallmouth and White Bass - 15 inches

• Crappie - 12 inches

• Perch - 12 inches

• Bluegill - 10 inches

  1. Contest runs from March 15th of the current year to March 14th of the following year

  2. Photos are not required but are requested if possible

  3. Entries must be submitted on a Dakota Anglers Catch and Release Application (available at most bait shops and listed below)

  4. Entries must be signed by submitting individual and witness of catch

  5. Entries must be caught in North Dakota

2024/2025 Winners

Adult Division

Walleye - Kellen Lange - 24” - Devils Lake - 07/05/24

Northern - Darrel Wegner - 41” - Jamestown Reservoir - 06/17/24

Zander - Cody Wegner - 27” - Alkali Lake - 01/31/25

Perch - Cody Wegner - 15.25” - Devils Lake - 01/10/25

Smallmouth Bass - Darrel Wegner - 19.75” - Spiritwood Lake - 06/03/24

Bluegill - David Chadduck - 10” - Brewer Lake - 07/06/24

Total Cumulative Inches - David Chadduck - 160" - 9 entries

Junior Division

Northern - Adam Krapp - 33.75” - Pipestem Reservoir - 02/22/25

Walleye - Tucker Chadduck - 24” - Rush River - 04/13/24

Perch - Adam Krapp - 13” - Mallard Marsh - 02/01/25

Channel Catfish - Tucker Chadduck - 35” - Rush River - 09/08/24

Crappie - Tucker  Chadduck - 14” - Jamestown Reservoir - 08/07/24

Largemouth Bass - Tucker  Chadduck - 18” - Brewer Lake - 07/06/24

Bluegill - Tucker  Chadduck - 11.5” - Brewer Lake - 07/06/24

Total Cumulative Inches - Adam Krapp - 583.25" - 28 entries

Tucker Chadduck - 560" - 47 entries

2023/2024 Winners

Adult Division

Walleye - Pat Goldade - 30” - Devils Lake - 09/03/23

Northern - Travis Lange - 39” - Pipestem Reservoir - 06/23/23

Northern - Mike Johnson - 39” - Pipestem Reservoir - 12/22/23

Crappie - Kellen Lange - 12 1/8” - Jamestown Reservoir - 08/06/23

Largemouth Bass - Josh Chadduck - 18.5” - Brewer Lake - 09/24/23+

Bluegill - David Chadduck - 10” - Brewer Lake - 06/20/23

Total Cumulative Inches - Marlin Schlager - 208" - 7 entries

Junior Division

Northern - Adam Krapp - 35.5” - Pipestem Reservoir - 02/23/24

Walleye - Adam Krapp - 27.5” - Jamestown Reservoir - 06/06/23

Perch - Adam Krapp - 13” - Stirton Lake - 01/28/24

Channel Catfish - Paxton Chadduck - 35” - Sheyenne River - 8/17/23

Crappie - Paxton Chadduck - 13” - Jamestown Reservoir - 08/07/23

Smallmouth Bass - Paxton Chadduck - 17” - Lake Astabula - 06/11/23

Bluegill - Paxton Chadduck - 10” - Brewer Lake - 06/30/23

Largemouth Bass - Paxton Chadduck - 19.5” - Brewer Lake - 06/20/23

Total Cumulative Inches - 549.5" - 34 entries

2022/2023 Winners

Adult Division

Walleye - Cody Wegner 29.5 inches, Reule Lake 6/26/22

Northern - Cody Wegner 34 inches, Pipestem Reservoir 6/2/22

Black Crappie - Cody Wegner 15.5 inches, Lake Ashtabula 12/10/22

Muskellunge - Cody Wegner 38 inches, Lake Ashtabula 6/12/22

Total Accumulative Inches - Cody Wegner 920.5 inches, 36 entries

Juniors Division

Northern - Adam Krapp 37 inches, Pipestem Reservoir 9/2/22

White Bass - Paxton Chadduck 16 inches, Devils Lake 7/19/22

Total Accumulative Inches - Adam Krapp 37 inches, 1 entry

Entries can be emailed to dakotanglers@gmail.com or mailed to the address listed on the application.

Catch and Release Application