Join us for the Annual "CATCHAPALOOZA" Family Fishing Tournament on July 4th, 2022.

Families will have the opportunity to fish the scenic waters of Lake McMurtry. The tournament is a great way to engage in the sport of fishing and learn how participation enhances fishing conservation. 
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All proceeds benefit Lake McMurtry Friends Inc., a 501 (c)3 not-for-profit organization.

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Tournament Information

Date: July 4th, 2022
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Time: 6 am - 11 am

Location: Lake McMurtry - West Side Recreation Area

Entry Fee: $30.00 per team, teams must consist of 2-4 members

Check in & Weigh In: Check in & Weigh in will be at the West side swim beach, teams can check in at anytime from 6 am - 10:30 am.

Registration: https://lakemcmurtry.redpodium.com/catchapalooza-2022 

Directions:  Take Lakeview Rd. west to Redlands Rd / Go North on Redlands Rd. 1 mi / Turn left(west) on Airport Rd. and travel 1 mi / Turn right(north) onto Bronco Curve and follow 1.5 mi to the entrance of the West Side Park. google map link

Categories: Prizes will be awarded for the following categories

     Biggest Fish

•  Adult
•  Youth ( 15 and under )

  Combined team total weight 

•  Boating ( top 3 finalists )
•  Non Boating ( top 3 finalists )

Tournament Rules:

• All Oklahoma Fish & Game laws apply
• Participants must abide by Oklahoma state fishing and boating regulations. *click here for more information
• Fishing license and boat registration will be verified by lake staff at check in. * click here to purchase a license
• Teams must consist of a 2 - 4 people
• Participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
• Participants 16 and older must have a valid fishing license 
• Anglers must respect each others fishing areas and leave reasonable room between fisherman
• Willful mishandling of fish will not be tolerated. ( check out "how to release a fish" down below )
• 2 pole limit ( per person )
• Method of fishing - Rod & Reel only
• Fish must be alive to be weighed
• ​Only 5 fish are eligible to be weighed on scales by lake staff
• Total weight determines placement
• Ties will be determined by largest fish 
• Final weigh in is at 11 am, it is recommended to arrive early to weigh in
• Lake Staff reserves the right to refuse entry & or disqualify any participants that do not abide by tournament rules

Additional Information: 

Tournament Weigh In

• Teams may select up 5 fish to contribute to their weigh-in total.
• Final weigh in will be at 11 am @ the west swim beach. Teams must have their fish at the weigh station by 11 am.
• We encourage non-boating participants to bring the fish they would like to have weighed to the west swim beach soon after they catch it to help cut down on long weigh in lines.
• We encourage boating participants to circulate fresh water in their live wells throughout the day to help reduce stress on the fish.
• Staff will have 1 holding tank at the weigh in station to help reduce stress on fish as well as transport buckets for those fishing from the docks/banks.

Things to bring: 

• Proper fishing & boating registration and life vests for boating participants. 
• Gear: fishing rods & reels, lures, hooks, sinkers, bobbers, de-hookers and bait. ( bait will be available for purchase at the west bait shop - live minnows, worms, frozen shad, frozen chicken liver, and dough bait.)
• Sunscreen and water
• Fish basket or stringer
• ​Camera​

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About 

Lake McMurtry's Fishing Tournament is designed to promote the sport of family fishing. The tournament is an excellent opportunity to showcase how proper participation can lead to enhanced fishery conservation. All proceeds collected support the non profit organization Lake McMurtry Friends who manages the recreation area.

Angler's Education Corner

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Fishing Tips, Rigs, & Habitat

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Click on the links below to learn more:

• ​Walleye & Saugeye
• ​LargeMouth Bass
• Crappie​
• Channel Catfish
• Flat Head Catfish
• Sandbass

OUTDOOR OKLAHOMA VIDEOS:

• How to bank fish for catfish
• How to tie a crappie jig
• Bass Fishing
• Crappie Fishing

Aquatic Nuisnace Species of Lake McMurtry

 Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) are small, thumbnail size mussels with a zebra-like pattern of stripes native to the Caspian Sea region of Asia.  They are believed to have been transported to the Great Lakes via ballast water from a transoceanic vessel.  Known to greatly impact the environment, they have been found in the state prompting concern by state and federal officials. *Click here to learn more

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Lake McMurtry Fish Species

HOW TO RELEASE A FISH

You might be asking yourself, "How do fish survive catch and release after being handled?" Whether or not they do largely depends on if the angler understands how to handle fish and how to release fish in a conservation-friendly manner. Below are the steps you can take when handling a fish to help promote fishing conservation.

1. Use wet hands when handling a fish or a knotless rubberized landing nets and rubberized gloves. This helps maintain the slime coat on the fish, which protects it from infection and aids in swimming. Anglers that know how to practice proper catch and release never use a towel of any kind when handling fish since a towel can remove this slime coat.
2. Hold the fish horizontally whenever possible since this is the way fish naturally swim through the water. Do not drop the fish onto hard surfaces!
3. Keep your fingers away from the gills and eyes of the fish.
4. If needed, use a release tool (dehookers, recompression tools) to minimize handling.
5. Time is of the essence! Release fish as soon as practical and do not keep them out of the water longer than necessary. Always release your fish head first into the water. When you release a fish head first into the water, it forces water through the mouth and over the gills, which helps to resuscitate the fish. Revive exhausted fish by placing the fish in the water, facing the current if possible, with one hand underneath the belly and the other hand holding the bottom lip or tail.
6. Know the current fishing regulations that apply to the state where you are fishing and learn how to accurately measure fish in order to abide by the regulations. By following fishing regulations you are building and conserving our state fish populations for future generations of anglers.

Keep up with your current state regulations by learning to properly measure your fish.