19th Annual Lower Susquehanna Rockfish Tournament

Community Connecting Us Presents

19th Annual
Lower Susquehanna Rockfish Tournament

Date of Tournament: June 7, 2025

Pursuant to Code of Maryland Regulations, 08.02.15.12D, this tournament is authorized by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and will be held on June 7, 2025.

Get ready to cast your line and join us for the 19th Annual Lower Susquehanna Rockfish Tournament—a day of competitive fishing, community fun, and unforgettable memories on the beautiful Lower Susquehanna River!

Whether you’re a seasoned angler or new to the sport, this tournament is your chance to:

• Test Your Skills: Battle it out with fellow fishing enthusiasts as you vie for top prizes in our exciting competition.
• Enjoy a Day on the Water: Experience the thrill of rockfish fishing in one of the region’s most picturesque settings.
• Connect with the Community: Share tips, swap stories, and celebrate the passion for fishing with friends and family.

Check our social media:
CCU: Facebook Instagram
Lower Susquehanna Rockfish Tournament: Facebook

Tournament Divisions

Adult Division - Cash Prize Tournament

1. Eligibility: Open to anglers of all ages.
2. Entry Fee: A non-refundable fee of $60 per angler.
3. Registration:
   • Deadline: 11:59 PM on June 6, 2025 via the Online Registration website.
   • In-Person: Registration and t-shirt pickup will occur during the Captain’s Meeting on June 6, 2025.

Youth Division – Prize Tournament

1. Eligibility: For anglers under 16 years of age who are accompanied by an adult.
2. Entry Fee: No fee required.
3. Scoring: By species; Rockfish is by weight. All other fish, only the longest fish per angler will be counted; all fish caught may be submitted, but only the longest will count.
4. Equipment:
• Youth may use any Maryland State and Federal approved fishing poles.
• Anglers 12 years old and younger must wear a personal flotation device (PFD) when fishing from a boat.

Tournament Details

• Entry Fee $60 per Adult Angler (Age 16 & older)
• Youth Under 16 & Spectator (Free Admission)
• Online Registration: Tournament Entry Form

When:

Saturday, June 7th, 5:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Where:

Marina Park
160 South Main Street Port Deposit, MD 21904

Additional Information:

Boat fishing from Conowingo Dam to Turkey Point

No land-based fishing allowed

Weigh Station opens at 10:00 AM in Marina Park

Adult Division:

Cash prizes for top 3 Rockfish by weight

Prize money calculated by number of anglers

Youth Division:

Prizes for top 3 fish (Based on species: Rockfish by weight or any by length)

Captain's Meeting

When:

Friday, June 6th, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Where:

Lee's Landing Dock Bar
600 Rowland Dr, Port Deposit, MD 21904

Additional Information:

Happy Hour Specials

Pickup Angler T-Shirts

Enter Raffles

Don’t miss this chance to be part of a time-honored tradition on the Lower Susquehanna River. Whether you’re coming for the competition or the camaraderie, there’s something for everyone.

Register today and secure your spot!

Register online or for more information contact
Randa at 443-540-3264.

Tight lines and see you on the water!

Tournament Rules

Boater Safety

1. Communications: VHF Marine Channel 68 is the designated working channel for the tournament.
2. Safety Requirements:
• All boats must have the required U.S. Coast Guard safety equipment.
• Boats operated in an unsafe or unsportsmanlike manner are ineligible for prizes.
3. Weather & Conditions:
• The tournament will proceed rain or shine.
• Anglers participate at their own risk. The boat’s captain assumes full responsibility for the vessel and crew.
• In the event of a Small Craft Advisory, the captain must decide whether to launch.
• Should an Act of God, natural disaster, or the opening of more than five floodgates on the Conowingo Dam occur, the event will be postponed until conditions are deemed safe and the tournament committee reschedules.

Fishing Regulations

1. MD DNR Striped Bass Rules & Regulations
2. Location: Fishing is permitted only within the designated tournament boundaries.
3. Schedule: Fishing may begin at 5:30 AM and ends at 4:00 PM.
4. Equipment: Fish must be caught using a conventional rod and reel.
5. Transfer Prohibition: Changing boats or transferring fish between boats is strictly prohibited and may result in disqualification. Verified, documented emergencies may be considered on a case-by-case basis by the committee.

Land-Based Fishing

1. Land-based fishing is not permitted!

Weigh-In Procedures

1. Location: Marina Park, Port Deposit
2. Time: Between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM on tournament day
3. Conditions:
   • All fish must be delivered to the weigh-in station; fish not presented will be rejected.
   • Only fish caught on the day of the tournament within the designated boundaries are eligible.
   • Fish must be in fresh condition; frozen fish will not be accepted.
   • Fish exhibiting signs of tampering—such as excessive bleeding or evidence of stuffing with ice, organic matter, or other substances—shall be disqualified.
4. Submission:
• IMPORTANT: ALL entries must be brought directly from the boat while docked at the public dock located at Marina Park (Lat. 39°36.02’N, Long. 76°06.75’W) and delivered to the weigh-in station.
• Each angler may submit only one fish. Once weighed, the fish will be marked (hole punched) to prevent a second entry.
• All fish will be measured and weighed: Rockfish (striped bass) will be measured in total length to the nearest 1/4 inch and weighed to the nearest 1/4 pound.
• All fish must comply with state and federal size and possession regulations; the Maryland Department of Natural Resources will be present to enforce compliance and may conduct additional examinations if necessary.
5. Judgment: The decisions of the weigh-in judges are final.

Protests

1. Procedure: Any protest must be submitted in writing to the tournament committee within 15 minutes after the weigh-in concludes.
2. Finality:The weigh-in judges’ decisions are final on all matters.

Prizes and Awards

1. Tax Responsibility: Winners are solely responsible for any applicable taxes.
2. Distribution:
   • Prizes will be awarded at the weigh-in station following the completion of weigh-in procedures, provided no written protests have been received.
   • If a written protest is filed, prize money will be distributed by check within 14 days of the tournament.
3. Participation: Each angler may participate in only one division, except in optional side raffles and drawings.
4. Door Prizes: Only participants present at the weigh-in are eligible for door prizes.

Tournament Boundaries

1. Geographic Limits: Fishing is restricted to tidal waters within the Lower Susquehanna River and the Upper Chesapeake Bay in Maryland.
• North Boundary: 400 yards south of the Conowingo Dam. (No boats are allowed within 400 yards of the dam; signs and buoys are in place below the dam.)
• North Boundary: A straight line drawn from Turkey Point (Lat. 39°26.97’N, Long. 76°00.54’W) to Sandy Point (Lat. 39°26.87’N, Long. 76°03.65’W).
2. Patrol: Committee boats will monitor the tournament boundaries.
3. Note: Land-based fishing is not permitted!

Risks and Waivers

By participating in the tournament, all contestants acknowledge and assume the inherent risks and dangers associated with the event. Participants agree to release and hold harmless Community Connecting Us, its officers, members, directors, committee members, assigns, and sponsors from any and all liability—including claims for loss, damage, injury, or death—resulting from participation in the tournament.

Authorization:
This tournament is authorized by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Participants are encouraged to review the latest state and federal regulations as updates may occur prior to the event.