Logo with fish illustrations over a Michigan map, text reads "Skeeter Battle on the Bay Saginaw Bay Michigan," and a fishing lure graphic appears above the text.

Battle On The Bay 2026

Tournament Rules

Battle on the Bay: Walleye Tournament Rules

Battle on the Bay: Bass Tournament Rules

  1. RULINGS: The tournament director and committees shall reserve all rights for rule interpretation and rulings  thereof. Tournament Officials may restrict tournament waters and reserve the right to delay or cancel the start  of an official tournament day because of inclement weather or other factors that would endanger the safety of  the participants. (E.g. blow day) will be the sole discretion of the Tournament Director and/or Officials. In the  event of a delayed start, additional time may or may not be added to extend the day. The tournament director  and staff have the sole authority to deny the eligibility of any person at any time to participate in the  tournament.  
  2. SAFETY: Boating safety must be always observed during practice and competition. All Michigan DNR, State, and  Local Laws must be followed at all times. A violation during competition will result in disqualification of this and  all future events. All participants must wear a Class III or greater life vest anytime the Primary Engine is running. All boats must have an emergency kill switch and be attached to the driver anytime the main engine is in operation. 
  3. SPORTSMANSHIP: All teams are expected to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety, and  conservation. Any team who displays poor sportsmanship, violates these rules, any Michigan DNR, state or local  laws, or brings unfavorable publicity to the sport of bass fishing will be disqualified. Maximum courtesy must be  practiced at all times, especially with regard to boating and angling in the vicinity of non-competitors who may  be on tournament waters. Any act of a competitor, which reflects unfavorably upon the efforts of Battle on the  Bay Tournament and its sponsors to promote fisheries conservation, clean waters, and courtesy, may be  deemed a reason for disqualification for this and all future events.  
  4. TACKLE & EQUIPMENT: All fish must be caught in a legal sporting manner. Teams are limited to using six (6)  rods per boat regardless of regulations that allow more due to the number of participants present. Only fish caught  on hook and line in a normal and usual manner will be accepted. Usage of live or prepared (dead) bait and  artificial lures are permissible. 
  5. BOAT & HORSEPOWER: All contestants must fish out of a Skeeter Boat and must be the registered owner.  There is no horsepower limit: however, no engine may exceed the BIA horsepower rating for the boat on which  it is used. All boats must meet US Coast Guard and state regulations. All boats must have an emergency kill  switch. All boats must have lights required by the Coast Guard. Lights must be in and used before sunrise. In  addition, it must have a functional bilge pump and LIVEWELL properly aerated to adequately maintain a live limit  catch of 8 Walleye by the team using the boat. NO COOLERS.  
  6. PERMITTED FISHING LOCATIONS: Fishing on the tournament waters is permitted anywhere except: Within 50  yards of another competitor’s boat which was first anchored. A boat is considered anchored if it is tied to an  object or has an anchor line over the side of the boat (Power poles or talons in the down position are considered  anchored) with a trolling motor out of the water. All angling must be done from the boat, you may NOT depart to  land a fish.  
  7. TOURNAMENT DAY BOAT INSPECTION & IDENTIFICATION: A tournament official may approach or board your  boat at any time for any reason and at any time during the event. Refusal to allow an approved official on board  or an effort to impede their work will result in disqualification. Each boat must attend and will be given, prior to  the tournament, a live-well compartment and safety inspection by a tournament official and/or deemed  official volunteer. During inspection a boat marker will be provided and must remain on the boat during  tournament hours. 
  8. OFFICIAL CHECKPOINT: There is (1) official point for check-out and check-in. Contestants must leave and return  to the official checkpoint by boat. Trailering of boats during tournament hours is prohibited. Competitors must  not de-board (both feet out) except in case of dire emergency. Violation of these conditions is grounds for  disqualification. At the time of check-out, all competitors and their boats shall be in full conformance with all  rules. At check-in all boats must make clear contact with the check-in person and be checked in. 
  9. REFUELING: Boats are permitted to refuel at a state certified marina/harbor fuel station during competition hours.  Participants are not allowed to leave the boat for any reason other than to complete a fuel payment transaction (only 1 participant should conduct payment). Purchasing 2 cycle oil when necessary for engine operation during  a refueling event is permitted. No other product(s) shall be purchased during a fuel stop. 
  10. TOURNAMENT BOAT BREAKDOWN INSTRUCTIONS: All participants must remain together, leaving and  returning to the official checkpoint by boat. All competitors must always remain in the boat except in case of dire  emergency if they wish their fish to be counted for the day. In case of a non-emergency event or breakdown  (does not include running out of fuel), in which a team is not able to travel back to the weigh-in site under  power, participants should contact the Tournament Director John Gillman at (989) 737-1465 before taking any  action. The only permitted way to return for weigh-in without your own power is: (1). By being towed in by a  boat operated by another tournament competitor in the event or a designated rescue boat. Both boats must  arrive by whichever team is the earliest designated return time. (2). By one team member transferring their  clearly marked fish to another tournament boat and proceeding directly to the weigh in. This process should  include at minimum: -Recorded or live video footage of entire marking and transfer process  -Both teams’ individual fish clearly marked (E.g. in a separate weigh in bag or container, separate live-well  with clearly identifiable cull tags)  –  Both teams/individuals must arrive by the whichever teams is the earliest designated  Locating or flagging down another tournament boat for assistance via phone, messaging, or radio transmission  in an effort to link up with a specific team is not allowed. Physically flagging down or an open radio call that was  seeking help from any tournament boat in proximity to return to the weigh-in site is allowable.  Neither tournament boat/team is permitted to fish after assisting, must proceed directly to weigh in site once the boat is moored/trailered and all parties go directly to the Tournament Director. Both parties (the team needing and team lending assistance) should immediately report to the Tournament  Director upon arrival at weigh in. Any Team involved in a breakdown procedure that involves transferring fish  between boats, may be polygraphed as necessary at the Tournament Officials sole discretion. If the Tournament  Director cannot be reached in the event of a breakdown, teams should take appropriate action to return the boat  and team safely to the nearest port or the weigh-in location. In event the above process cannot be followed, it will  result in loss of days catch weight.
  11. SCORING: Tournament standing, awards and final winners shall be determined by the total pound and pound  fractions of each team’s catch. Walleye, sauger, and saugeye will be weighed. Teams may only have 8 fish in  their possession at any time and can weigh only 5. YOU MAY NOT CULL A DEAD FISH. The official length for fish shall be a minimum of 15” with the mouth closed. Exceeding the tournament catch limit or any fish presented  for weigh-in which fails to measure the official length limits shall result in disqualification from the event. Any fish that appears mangled, mauled, mashed or otherwise altered to gain length will not be eligible to be weighed.  All fish must be kept in an aerated live-well. Use of stringers, wire fish baskets, boat bags etc. is prohibited. Any  fish mauled, frozen, on a stringer, injected with water or other material to add weight, showing white gills, soft  flesh, sunken eyes, or gills that will not bleed may result in disqualification from the tournament. Teams must  provide their own tournament style weight in bags to transport fish to the bump tanks. Coolers, hand carrying,  waste bags, etc. are not permitted to be used. You must weigh at least 1 legal fish to qualify for any cash prize.  
  12. LATE PENALTY: Competitors who have not checked in with the check-in person shall be disqualified. NO  EXCEPTIONS! The tournament ends at 3:00 pm. 
  13. TIES: Money will be split evenly between the two or more teams. 
  14. PAIRINGS: This is a 2-person team tournament. No more than 2 adult participants are allowed in the boat. A youth angler 16 years old or younger at the date of tournament may be a 3rd participant.
  15. COURTESY BOARD: A courtesy measuring board will be set up for your convenience. Make sure all fish measure  before they come to the weigh-in table. Once fish are presented to the weigh-in table, only tournament officials  will be allowed to handle the fish.  
  16. PRACTICE PERIOD: There are no off-limits days other than you must be off the water by 3:00 pm the day of the  captains meeting. The purchasing of, or bartering for, information about locating or catching fish on  tournament waters, including but not limited to GPS waypoints (other than through commercially available  sources) and the hiring of fishing guide services is strictly prohibited during tournament days and 14 days prior  to the first tournament event. 
  17. No wake zones and areas are NO PASS unless the boat being passed is fishing, gives you verbal permission to  pass, or multiple boat lanes permit a different route to be taken. 
  18. POLYGRAPH TEST: The winner and placing teams may be subject to a polygraph test to be administered after  weigh-in. 
  19. REGISTRATION & PRIZE MONEY: In-person registration will open at 9:00 am March 28, 2026, in person at  Wonderland Marine West in Howell MI. Online registration will open at 9:00 am March 30, 2026, at  www.battleonthebay.net Boat number and starting position will be determined by order of entry form and total  payment. Prize money will be issued even between Adult participants on each team. Participants are  responsible for all applicable taxes and execution of all tax forms on all cash and prizes. All requests for  information necessary to support that process and regarding such information will be provided to Wonderland  Marine West upon request. Failure to do so will result in loss of any prize money and ability to participate in  future events. At least (1) team members must be present to collect team winnings or prizes, or the team will  forfeit all winnings. PAID ENTRIES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE, NO EXCEPTIONS.  
  1. ELIGIBILITY: There must be at least one member of every team 18 years or older. All teams are required to have  two (2) participants on a boat to compete. 
  2. INSURANCE & LIABILITY: It is the sole responsibility of the boat owner to carry and have proof of adequate  public liability insurance covering them and passengers. All contestants are required to sign a waiver absolving  the tournament sponsors, co-sponsors and their employees from any responsibility for any damage or personal  injury sustained as a result of their participation in the tournament or related activities. Contestants are  required to have in their possession and provide proof of insurance on demand by the tournament director. All  participants agree to hold harmless Tournament officers, directors and agents. 
  3. TOURNAMENT PROTECTION: Any act or inflammatory statement by any contestant that, in the opinion of the  Tournament Authority , is detrimental to the walleye tournament, damaging to organized walleye fishing, to Battle on the Bay, or any of its staff, sponsors, or to permitting agencies or their officers (such as park ranger,  fisheries biologists, or other officials), at any time, may result in the temporary or permanent suspension from  all future Battle on the Bay Tournaments and events.
  1. RULINGS: The tournament director and committees shall reserve all rights for rule interpretation and rulings  thereof. Tournament Officials may restrict tournament waters and reserve the right to delay or cancel the start  of an official tournament day because of inclement weather or other factors that would endanger the safety of  the participants. (E.g. blow day) will be the sole discretion of the Tournament Director and/or Officials. In the  event of a delayed start, additional time may or may not be added to extend the day. The tournament director  and staff have the sole authority to deny the eligibility of any person at any time to participate in the  tournament.  
  2. SAFETY: Boating safety must be always observed during practice and competition. All Michigan DNR, State, and  Local Laws must be followed at all times. A violation during competition will result in disqualification of this and  all future events. All participants must wear a Class III or greater life vest anytime the Primary Engine is running. All boats must have an emergency kill switch and be attached to the driver anytime the main engine is in operation. 
  3. SPORTSMANSHIP: All teams are expected to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety, and  conservation. Any team who displays poor sportsmanship, violates these rules, any Michigan DNR, state or local  laws, or brings unfavorable publicity to the sport of bass fishing will be disqualified. Maximum courtesy must be  practiced at all times, especially with regard to boating and angling in the vicinity of non-competitors who may  be on tournament waters. Any act of a competitor, which reflects unfavorably upon the efforts of Battle on the  Bay Tournament and its sponsors to promote fisheries conservation, clean waters, and courtesy, may be  deemed a reason for disqualification for this and all future events.
  4. TACKLE & EQUIPMENT: All fish must be caught in a legal sporting manner. Trolling with the aid of combustion  or electric motors is not permitted. Only artificial lures may be used. Only one (1) rod per angler may be used at  any one time. Other rods may be in the boat and ready for use, however, every cast and retrieve must be  completed before another cast is made. 
  5. BOAT & HORSEPOWER: All contestants must fish out of a Skeeter Boat and must be the registered owner.  There is no horsepower limit: however, no engine may exceed the BIA horsepower rating for the boat on which  it is used. All boats must meet US Coast Guard and state regulations. All boats must have an emergency kill  switch. All boats must have lights required by the Coast Guard. Lights must be in and used before sunrise. In  addition, it must have a functional bilge pump and LIVEWELL properly aerated to adequately maintain a live limit  catch of 5 bass by the team using the boat. NO COOLERS.  
  6. PERMITTED FISHING LOCATIONS: Fishing on the tournament waters is permitted anywhere except: Within 50  yards of another competitor’s boat which was first anchored. A boat is considered anchored if it is tied to an  object or has an anchor line over the side of the boat (Power poles or talons in the down position are considered  anchored) with a trolling motor out of the water. All angling must be done from the boat, you may NOT depart to  land a fish.  
  7. TOURNAMENT DAY BOAT INSPECTION & IDENTIFICATION: A tournament official may approach or board your  boat at any time for any reason and at any time during the event. Refusal to allow an approved official on board  or an effort to impede their work will result in disqualification. Each boat must attend and will be given, prior to  the tournament, a live-well compartment and safety inspection by a tournament official and/or deemed  official volunteer. During inspection a boat marker will be provided and must remain on the boat during  tournament hours. 
  8. OFFICIAL CHECKPOINT: There is (1) official point for check-out and check-in. Contestants must leave and return  to the official checkpoint by boat. Trailering of boats during tournament hours is prohibited. Competitors must  not de-board (both feet out) except in case of dire emergency. Violation of these conditions is grounds for  disqualification. At the time of check-out, all competitors and their boats shall be in full conformance with all  rules. At check-in all boats must make clear contact with the check-in person and be checked in. 
  9. REFULING: Boats are permitted to refuel at a state certified marina/harbor fuel station during competition  hours. Participants are not allowed to leave the boat for any reason other than to complete a fuel payment  transaction (only 1 participant should conduct payment). Purchasing 2 cycle oil when necessary for engine  operation during a refueling event is permitted. No other product(s) shall be purchased during a fuel stop. 
  10. TOURNAMENT BOAT BREAKDOWN INSTRUCTIONS: All participants must remain together, leaving and  returning to the official checkpoint by boat. All competitors must always remain in the boat except in case of dire  emergency if they wish their fish to be counted for the day. In case of a non-emergency event or breakdown  (does not include running out of fuel), in which a team is not able to travel back to the weigh-in site under  power, participants should contact the Tournament Director Chris Williams at (248) 880-1483 before taking any  action. The only permitted way to return for weigh-in without your own power is: (1). By being towed in by a  boat operated by another tournament competitor in the event or a designated rescue boat. Both boats must  arrive by whichever team has the earliest designated return time. (2). By one team member transferring  their clearly marked fish to another tournament boat and proceeding directly to the weigh in. This process  should include at minimum: -Recorded or live video footage of entire marking and transfer process  -Both teams’ individual fish clearly marked (E.g. in a separate weigh in bag or container, separate live-well  with clearly identifiable cull tags)  -Both teams/individuals must arrive by the whichever teams is the earliest designated  Locating or flagging down another tournament boat for assistance via phone, messaging, or radio transmission  in an effort to link up with a specific team is not allowed. Physically flagging down or an open radio call that was  seeking help from any tournament boat in proximity to return to the weigh-in site is allowable.  Neither tournament boat/team is permitted to fish after assisting, must proceed directly to weigh in site once  boat is moored/trailered and all parties go directly to the Tournament Director. Both parties (the team needing and team lending assistance) should immediately report to the Tournament  Director upon arrival at weigh in. Any Team involved in a breakdown procedure that involves transferring fish  between boats, may be polygraphed as necessary at the Tournament Officials sole discretion. If the Tournament  Director cannot be reached in the event of a breakdown, teams should take appropriate action to return the boat  and team safely to the nearest port or the weigh-in location. In event the above process cannot be followed, it will  result in loss of days catch weight. 
  11. SCORING: Tournament standing, awards and final winners shall be determined by the total pound and pound  fractions of each team’s catch. Only largemouth and smallmouth bass will be weighed. Teams may only have 5  bass in their possession at any time. YOU MAY NOT CULL A DEAD FISH. The official length for bass shall be a  minimum of 14” with the mouth closed. Any fish presented for weigh-in which fails to measure the official  length limits shall result in disqualification from the event. Any bass that appears mangled, mauled, mashed or  otherwise altered to gain length will not be eligible to be weighed. Teams must provide their own tournament  style weight in bags to transport fish to the bump tanks. Coolers, hand carrying, waste bags, etc. are not permitted  to be used. You must weigh at least 1 legal bass to qualify for any cash prize.  
  12. DEAD/SHORT FISH PENALTY: A penalty of 1 pound for each dead fish weighed in will be deducted from the total  weight of all legal fish in the sack. Any fish presented for weigh-in which fails to measure the official length  limits (15”) shall result in disqualification from the event.  
  13. LATE PENALTY: Competitors who have not checked in with the check-in person shall be disqualified. NO  EXCEPTIONS! The tournament ends at 3:00 pm. 
  14. TIES: Money will be split evenly between the two or more teams. 
  15. PAIRINGS: This is a 2-person team tournament. No more than 2 adult participants are allowed in the boat. A youth angler 16 years old or younger at the date of tournament may be a 3rd participant.
  16. COURTESY BOARD: A courtesy measuring board will be set up for your convenience. Make sure all fish measure  before they come to the weigh-in table. Once fish are presented to the weigh-in table, only tournament officials  will be allowed to handle the fish.  
  17. PRACTICE PERIOD: There are no off-limits days other than you must be off the water by 3:00 pm the day of the  Captains meeting. The purchasing of, or bartering for, information about locating or catching fish on tournament  waters, including but not limited to GPS waypoints (other than through commercially available sources) and the  hiring of fishing guide services is strictly prohibited during tournament days and 14 days prior to the first tournament event. 
  18. All no wake zones and areas are NO PASS unless the boat being passed is fishing, gives you verbal permission to  pass, or multiple boat lanes permit a different route to be taken. 
  19. POLYGRAPH TEST: The winner and placing teams may be subject to a polygraph test to be administered after  weigh-in. 
  20. REGISTRATION & PRIZE MONEY: In-person registration will open at 9:00 am March 28, 2026, in person at  Wonderland Marine West in Howell MI. Online registration will open at 9:00 am March 30, 2026, at  http://www.battleonthebay.net/ Boat number and starting position will be determined by order of entry form  and total payment. Prize money will be issued even between Adult participants on each team. Participants are  responsible for all applicable taxes and execution of all tax forms on all cash and prizes. All requests for  information necessary to support that process and regarding such information will be provided to Wonderland  Marine West upon request. Failure to do so will result in loss of any prize money and ability to participate in  future events. At least (1) team members must be present to collect team winnings or prizes, or team will  forfeit all winnings. PAID ENTRIES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE, NO EXCEPTIONS.
  21. ELIGIBILITY: There must be at least one member of every team 18 years or older. All teams are required to have  two (2) participants on a boat to compete. 
  22. I NSURANCE & LIABILITY: It is the sole responsibility of the boat owner to carry and have proof of adequate  public liability insurance covering them and passengers. All contestants are required to sign a waiver absolving  the tournament sponsors, co-sponsors and their employees from any responsibility for any damage or personal  injury sustained as a result of their participation in the tournament or related activities. Contestants are  required to have in their possession and provide proof of insurance on demand by the tournament director. All  participants agree to hold harmless Tournament officers, directors and agents. 
  23. TOURNAMENT PROTECTION: Any act or inflammatory statement by any contestant that, in the opinion of the  Tournament Authority , is detrimental to the bass tournament, damaging to organized bass fishing, to Battle on  the Bay, or any of its staff, sponsors, or to permitting agencies or their officers (such as park ranger, fisheries  biologists, or other officials), at any time, may result in the temporary or permanent suspension from all future Battle on the Bay Tournaments and events.