Denny's Legacy Series Logo

Rules

Denny’s Legacy Series

1) Eligibility

  • Anglers under 16 must compete with a guardian.
  • We reserve the right to refuse participation or administer polygraph tests at our discretion.
  • Decisions by tournament officials are final. Text concerns to the director prior to weigh-in.

2) Safety Requirements

  • Wear USCG-approved life vests whenever the combustion engine is running.
  • Lake Minnetonka Speed Limits: 40 mph generally, and 5 mph in channels.
  • Required Equipment:
    • Functioning kill switch
    • Working running lights
    • Fire extinguisher
    • First-aid kit

3) Legal Species & Limits

  • Species: Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass only.
  • Season Note: Smallmouth season is closed for the September event.
  • Bag Limit: 6 bass per team.

4) Weigh-In & Tie-Breakers

  • We reject any bass showing signs of tampering or alteration.
  • Tie-Breaker Order:
    1. Most bass caught
    2. Largest bass (by weight)
    3. Equal split of the prize

5) Sportsmanship & Distances

  • Maintain a 100-yard minimum distance from other boats.
  • Exceptions:
    • Fishing for spawning bass
    • Fishing within Lord Fletcher’s Marina
    • Passing with trolling motor (maintain 100 feet; no fishing while passing)
  • Report Violations: Take a photo of the infraction and report it to the coordinator immediately.
  • Late Arrivals: Teams arriving late to weigh-in are ineligible for scoring.
  • Matt Johnson oversees all disqualifications.

6) Off-Limits Period

  • Start Time: 5:00 PM the day prior to the tournament.
  • Restrictions: No fishing-related activity allowed until the official start. This includes casting, graphing, idling to locate fish, or checking spots.
  • You must be heading to the landing by 5:00 PM the day prior.

7) Team Changes

  • Notify the director of partner changes at least 48 hours in advance.
  • Substitutions: Permitted if one original team member remains. Entirely new teams are not eligible.

8) Fishing Methods

  • Artificial lures only. No live bait or trolling.
  • Rod Limit: Maximum length of 8.5 feet.
  • Sight Fishing: Fish must be hooked inside the mouth. External hook marks will trigger an investigation.
  • Report snagging immediately.

9) Communication

  • Emergency Use Only: Cell phone communication between competitors is prohibited unless emergency assistance is required.

10) Alcohol Policy

  • Alcohol consumption is prohibited during tournament hours. Violations result in disqualification.

11) Invasive Species

  • Clean, Drain, Dry: You must clean all equipment before launching to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.

12) Catch Handling

  • Keep bass alive in an aerated livewell.
  • Dead Fish Penalty: 0.25 lbs deducted per dead fish.
  • You will be disqualified if 3 or more fish are dead at weigh-in.
  • Culling: Never possess more than the legal daily limit. Follow state law.

13) Fish Release

  • Do not release fish directly off the docks at the weigh-in site.

14) Late Check-In Penalty

  • Definition of On-Time: You must be visibly pulling up to the docks by the check-in time.
  • Over 3 minutes late: Automatic disqualification.
  • 1–3 minutes late: Warning (1st offense) or Disqualification (2nd offense).
  • Breakdowns: Exceptions may be made if you notify the Director promptly.

15) Licenses & ID

  • Have a valid Minnesota fishing license and ID ready for inspection.

16) Registration & Liability

  • Waitlists will be used if the event reaches capacity.
  • By registering, you accept all rules and waive liability for sponsors and organizers.

17) Pre-Tournament Inspection

  • We may inspect boats and equipment for compliance before the event.
  • Open livewells for inspection upon arrival in the morning.

18) Cancellations

  • No Refunds: Starting one month prior to the event (due to our 100% payout policy).
  • Late cancellations require us to cover your entry fee, so please plan accordingly.

Search

Search for teams