Freshwater & Saltwater Fishing Rules

The fishing year for all awards is January 1st through December 31st. All members of the IWFA are eligible for monthly and annual awards. Any exceptions are noted within the guidelines of each award. Membership dues are payable prior to May 1st of each year. Dues not received by May 1st are considered delinquent and render a member unable to compete for monthly and annual awards until dues are paid. 

Affidavits received during the delinquency period will not be eligible for monthly or yearly competition. Additionally, if a membership is reinstated after a cancellation, then all points that were previously earned with be forfeited. 

ANGLING RULES

The IWFA follows all International Game Fish Association (IGFA) angling rules and regulations.  The IGFA has two divisions, General and Fly Casting. Please refer to them on the IGFA.org website for all rules pertaining to catches in these categories.  The IWFA has four angling divisions: one general and three casting divisions.

GENERAL DIVISION

All fish caught and released while using bait or while trolling must be entered in this division.

All fish caught on higher than allowed line test in Spin, Plug and Fly must be entered in this division.

• From the time that a fish strikes or takes a bait or lure, the angler must hook, fight, and land or boat the fish without the aid of any other person. If a rod holder is used, once the fish is hooked, the angler must remove the rod from the rod holder as quickly as possible.
• No wire line allowed.
• All fish must be returned to the water unharmed and in good condition. Fish kept for IGFA World Records or IWFA Club Records are considered weight fish and can NOT to be reported as a released fish. Refer to IWFA Club Records for complete instructions on reporting club.  (Note: if you released the fish alive, it may be logged as a released catch) Refer to IWFA Club Records for complete instructions on reporting club records.

In the general division, an official release occurs when the swivel, leader knot or trace comes in contact with the rod tip. If a leader is not used, the release occurs when the angler or fishing companion touches the class line within two feet of the hook.

Line class categories include 2 lb (1kg), 4 lb (2kg), 6 lb (3kg), 8 lb (4kg), 12 lb (6kg), 16 lb (8kg), 20 lb (10kg), 30 lb (15kg), 50 lb (24kg) , 80 lb (37), 130 lb (60kg)

FLY CASTING

IWFA members must do their own casting. Only flies may be used. The angler must cast the rod and retrieve the fly by themselves and hook and fight the fish without any aid. The rod must be in the angler’s possession at all times. 

Line class categories include 2 lb (1kg), 4 lb (2kg), 6 lb (3kg), 8 lb (4kg), 12 lb (6kg), 16 lb (8kg), 20 lb (10kg)

Follow all IGFA Fly Casting Rules and Regulations

SPIN CASTING and PLUG CASTING

The IWFA has two additional casting divisions: Spin Casting and Plug Casting.

Only artificial lures may be used.

IWFA members must do their own casting.  The angler must cast the rod and retrieve the artificial lure by themselves and hook and fight the fish without any aid. The rod must be in the angler’s possession at all times. 

If the rod is placed in a rod holder, used for trolling, has bait added to the lure, uses line over 

12 lb test with spin gear or 16 lb test with plug gear the catch must be entered in the General Division. 

Line class categories for the Spin Division include 2 lb (1kg), 4 lb (2kg), 6 lb (3kg), 8 lb (4kg), 12 lb (6kg),

Line class categories for the Plug Division include 2 lb (1kg), 4 lb (2kg), 6 lb (3kg), 8 lb (4kg), 12 lb (6kg), 16 lb (8kg),

Additional rules may apply during tournaments. See the tournament rules related to line requirements and casting requirements.

Tackle descriptions:

1. Conventional Reel - A conventional reel is a revolving reel on top and perpendicular to the rod. It is generally used in trolling, kite fishing, deep dropping, and jigging. They come in many sizes and can have single or two speed gear ratios. They are generally used with live or dead bait, scented baits, or trolling artificial lures. Line classes vary, but using the above-mentioned methods requires these catches to be filed in the IWFA’s general category. Rods for general use have a minimum length of 40 inches (101.6 centimeters) in length. The rod butt cannot exceed 27 inches (68.58 centimeters) in length. A bent butt is measured in a straight line. These measurements do not apply to surf casting rods.
2. Bait Caster (plug reel) - This is a reel that has a revolving spool that sits parallel on top of a casting rod with a trigger handle. The guides on the rod face up. The angler casts the line out with the weight of the lure pulling the line out causing the spool spinning freely to release it. Upon retrieval the line guard (level wind) moves right to left as the angler rotates the handle. The reel is designed for single handed casting using artificial lures. Leaders or double line are not to exceed rod length. Using this set up puts your catch in the plug division. Alteration of the reel, I.E., removal of the level wind, places your catch in the general division. 
3. Spinning Reel-A fishing reel mounted on a spinning rod, having an exposed stationary spool on the side of which is a revolving metal arm that catches the line and winds it onto the spool, as the handle is turned. The metal arm is disengaged during casting so the line spirals freely off the spool carried by the weight of the lure. This reel is mounted under the rod and the guides are on the underside as well. Using this reel qualifies your catch in the spin category. Lures must be artificial. Rods come in many lengths, and as long as your line requirements are met, and the proper lures are used, it is considered spin category. Gulp is considered by the IGFA as an artificial bait, so we consider it artificial as well, and therefore when used in this case it is a spin category.
4. Fly reel -Fly reels are single action. They are designed to be mounted under the rod, consisting of a reel foot for mounting, an arbor for line storage, as well as the dispensing and retrieval of line. They have an internal drag system and handle to make the whole system go around. One handle turn makes a complete spool rotation. Reel sizes vary and depend on the rod and weight of the line as to which you use. If you are unsure of your set up ask a professional’s advice. Please see the IGFA fly rules to see the definition of what a fly consists of and its placement and use, as well as leader lengths and tippet sizes.

You should be familiar with the IGFA rules as your captain and guide may not be. You should always check with your captain/guide to be sure the equipment you are using is IGFA compliant. It is a good idea to tell them when booking that these are your requirements for fishing with them. Before you go fishing check the IGFA rules for line requirements, backing, leader materials, and their appropriate lengths, as well as hook description, usage and placement. See the IWFA fishing rules for line requirements. The link to the IGFA rules is listed on this website.
If you require further assistance, please contact your Affidavits and/or Rules chairman. 

All fish must be returned to the water unharmed and in good condition. Fish kept for IGFA World Records or IWFA Club Records are considered weight fish and can NOT to be reported as a released fish. Refer to IWFA Club Records for complete instructions on reporting club