🎣 Grumpy Grandpa’s Bass-Free Battle: Official Rules

👴 A Word from Ol' Grumpy Grandpa

Listen up, ya half-cocked hook-flingers. This ain't one of those free-for-all tournaments where you toss a lure anywhere and call it good. We're doing this the right way — no green glory hogs (black bass) allowed, no ocean cowboys sneaking in a halibut, and sure as heck no fake fish. You follow the rules, you might just end up a legend. You don't? Well, you’ll end up on the “Don’t Even Bother” list faster than a trout spitting out a hotdog chunk.

Now quit yammerin’ and read the dang rules:

📜 Tournament Overview

🎣 Tournament Name: Grumpy Grandpa’s Bass-Free Battle
🗓 Dates: June 1, 2025 – June 30, 2025
📍 Eligible Waters: Only the 24 pre-approved lakes listed below
🐟 Eligible Species: Trout (rainbow, brown, cutthroat, lake/mackinaw), Kokanee Salmon, King Salmon, Catfish, Crappie, Striped Bass (inland only), Bluegill, Panfish (redear, sunfish).
❌ NOT Eligible: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Sturgeon, Ocean species.

🗺 Where You Can Fish

You must fish at one of these 24 approved locations.
No random ponds. No private lakes. No canals or ditches.

Castaic Lake
Clear Lake
Crowley Lake
Diamond Valley Lake
Don Pedro Reservoir
Eagle Lake
Folsom Lake
Lake Almanor
Lake Camanche
Lake Havasu (CA side)
Lake Isabella
Lake McClure
Lake Oroville
Lake Tahoe (CA side)
Millerton Lake
New Hogan Lake
New Melones Lake
Pine Flat Lake
Pyramid Lake (CA)
San Luis Reservoir
Shasta Lake
Silverwood Lake
Topaz Lake (CA side)
Whiskeytown Lake

🐟 Eligible Species (Sayin it again for the CDFW folks!)

You can submit catches of the following:

Rainbow Trout
Brown Trout
Cutthroat Trout
Mackinaw / Lake Trout
Kokanee Salmon
King Salmon
Catfish (all species)
Striped Bass (freshwater/inland only)
Crappie
Bluegill
Panfish (redear, sunfish)

🎯 Reminder: Largemouth, Smallmouth, and Spotted Bass are banned from this tournament. Catch one? Smile for your Facebook post — but it won't win you squat here.

📏 How to Submit a Catch

All catches must be submitted with a clear photo showing:
- The angler holding the fish (optional for adults, required for Juniors)
- The fish laid out next to a visible tape measure or on a digital scale (depending on the category)
- A second photo with the angler and fish is encouraged (we like seeing your ugly mugs).
Fish must be alive at time of measurement if possible. We respect the resource.
No photoshopping, no image tampering, no AI-generated fish.
Each entry must clearly show size or weight.
One fish per submission — no fish piles.

📚 Compliance with California Law

By entering, all participants agree to:

Follow all applicable California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) regulations regarding fishing licenses, bag limits, size limits, and seasonal restrictions.
Possess a valid California Sport Fishing License while fishing (unless exempted by CDFW rules, e.g., age exemptions).
Release any prohibited species immediately if caught.
Abide by local lake regulations (such as motor restrictions, catch & release zones, slot limits, etc.).

📢 Note: Failure to comply with California law can result in disqualification from the tournament without refund, public shaming, and a stern wag of Grandpa’s finger.

🧢 Junior Anglers (15 & Under)

Must follow all submission guidelines.
Must include the angler in the photo with their fish.
If required by CDFW, must fish under a licensed adult's supervision.

⚠️ Disclaimers & Grandpa’s Final Word

All decisions regarding eligibility, rule interpretations, and prize awards are final, as determined by Grumpy Grandpa Fishing Reports.
Cheating will get you banned permanently and mocked mercilessly.
Tournament entry fees are non-refundable once paid.
Grandpa reserves the right to laugh at, and/or disqualify, any "fishing fails" that don't meet the spirit of the rules.

"This ain't bass ballet or excuse hour. It's fishing. Be honest, fish hard, and maybe you’ll end up in the Hall of Fame instead of the Hall of Shame."
~Grumpy Grandpa