1. 1.

   1. a. For the purposes of this section, “bass fishing tournament” means an organized fishing event, except for a fishing event sponsored by the department for educational purposes, involving all of the following:

      1. (1) An organized event occurring on public water for the purpose of fishing for bass.
      2. (2) Participation of six or more vessels or twelve or more individuals in the event, except for an event on the waters of the Mississippi river, where the number of vessels participating shall be twenty or more and the number of participants shall be forty or more.
      3. (3) The award of prizes or other inducements for participation in the event.
   2. b. For the purposes of this section, “bass fishing tournament” also includes a planned event on public water for the purpose of fishing for bass.

2. 2. A person shall apply for a permit to hold a bass fishing tournament. The commission shall, by rule, specify the requirements to obtain a permit including but not limited to the following:

   1. a. Minimum requirements for weigh-in, handling, and release of live bass by tournament participants.
   2. b. Measurement of bass to length and release from a vessel.
   3. c. Allowance of up to five bass for weigh-in during the tournament.
   4. d. Allowance of possession of bass of any length so long as the bass are kept alive and are released after weigh-in.
   5. e. Cleaning of vessels used before and after the tournament in compliance with department guidelines to prevent the transportation of aquatic invasive species.

2017 Acts, ch 36, §1