Are you ready for the fishing challenge of the year? The Great Carp Hunt of 2025 is here, offering anglers the opportunity to win big while making a difference in Utah Lake! This year-long competition challenges teams of up to five to catch and remove as many invasive carp as possible, contributing to the restoration of the lake's ecosystem. With monthly prizes of $1,000 and a grand prize of $10,000, this is an event you won't want to miss!
You can register for any of the events here
Event Details
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Organized By: Utah Lake Authority
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Event Duration: February 22, 2025 - November 30, 2025
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Event Hours: Starts 6:00 AM (Feb 22) – Ends 2:00 PM (Nov 30)
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Location: Various Marinas around Utah Lake (to be announced)
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Refund Policy: Refunds up to 1 day before the event (Eventbrite’s fee is non-refundable)
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Total Event Duration: 281 days, 8 hours
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Entry Fee: $20 per participant for the entire year
Why Join the Great Carp Hunt?
Utah Lake is in desperate need of carp removal, and your participation directly supports conservation efforts. Carp disrupt the ecosystem by muddying the water, uprooting vegetation, and outcompeting native species like the June Sucker, a fish species unique to Utah Lake that is currently being restored. By joining this event, you’re not just fishing—you’re actively contributing to preserving and restoring Utah Lake’s natural habitat.
This tournament series also provides an exciting and rewarding way to connect with the local community. Whether you're an experienced angler or new to fishing, this event has something for everyone. It’s an excellent way to bond with friends and family, enjoy the outdoors, and win fantastic prizes.
Key Events
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Kickoff Event: Celebrate the start of the series with us in February!
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Monthly Tournaments: Compete for prizes while helping maintain the lake’s health.
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Annual Awards Ceremony: Recognize the top participants with awards, special prizes, and more!
Tournament Schedule & Locations
The events will take place at various marinas around Utah Lake. Please note that some marina fees may apply. Each tournament will start 30 minutes after sunrise.
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Feb 22-23 – Start 7:39 AM
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Mar 29-30 – Start 7:44 AM
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Apr 26-27 – Start 7:02 AM
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May 24-25 – Start 6:33 AM
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Jun 28-29 – Start 6:30 AM
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Jul 26-27 – Start 6:49 AM
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Aug 30-31 – Start 7:22 AM
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Sep 27-28 – Start 7:49 AM
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Oct 25-26 – Start 8:28 AM
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Nov 29-30 – Start 7:58 AM
How It Works
Each month, teams will compete to catch as many carp as possible. Prizes will be awarded for:
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Most fish caught (monthly & annually)
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Longest carp caught
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Heaviest carp caught
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Smallest carp caught
Each fish caught is counted towards the team’s total, increasing their chances of winning the $10,000 grand prize at the end of the year. The more fish you catch, the better your odds of taking home the grand prize, making this both a game of skill and dedication.
Registration & Rules
Register Here
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Entry Fee: $20 per participant for the entire year.
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Residency Requirement: One team member must be a Utah resident.
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Fishing License: Required for all anglers over 12 years old.
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Check-in: Teams must check in before each tournament.
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Fish Disposal: Carp must be disposed of at the event site; no live carp allowed at weigh-in.
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Sportsmanship: Un-sportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated.
Additional Rules & Regulations
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Start and End Times: Each tournament starts 30 minutes after sunrise and ends 6 hours later.
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Late Penalty: A penalty of 3 fish or 10 lbs per minute will be applied for late arrivals (up to 15 minutes). After that, teams are disqualified from monthly awards.
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Pre-Tournament Fishing: No fishing, netting, or stockpiling fish before the event.
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Baiting/Chumming: Not allowed.
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Eligible Fish: Only carp caught at Utah Lake during event hours count.
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Legal Compliance: Participants must follow all state and local fishing and boating laws.
Sponsorship Opportunities
The Great Carp Hunt of 2025 is an excellent opportunity for businesses to support conservation efforts while gaining premium exposure to outdoor enthusiasts. Sponsorship packages range from $2,500 to $50,000, with benefits like logo placements, event branding, and on-site activations.
Sponsorship Levels
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Presenting Sponsor ($50,000) – Premier event branding, top-tier logo placement, and speaking opportunities.
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Master Angler ($25,000) – Prominent branding and prize presentation opportunities.
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Lake Legend ($15,000) – Strong visibility in tournament materials and on-site activation.
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Reel Deal ($7,500) – Logo placements and booth opportunities.
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Friend of Utah Lake ($2,500) – Branding on promotional materials and social media features.
Join the Movement
Whether you’re an experienced angler or just looking for a fun way to spend time outdoors, the Great Carp Hunt is your chance to make an impact.
Sign up today, compete for amazing prizes, and help restore Utah Lake’s natural beauty!
