Fish Measurement Requirements

All entries to our kayak fishing tournaments must follow these requirements.

These rules are subject to change at any time if the tournament director feels additions or alterations are needed to clarify these rules or make things fair for all entrants.

You must use an approved measurement device

Only specified boards are approved to be used for pic submissions for MNKFA tournaments. Details are below. NO homemade measuring devices are accepted.

The size board you use limits the score you can have credited

If you are fishing a pike tournament and use a 32″ board to measure a 36″ pike, you will only be credited with 32″ (as long as all other requirements are followed).

Acceptable for Bass and fish up to 32″

ALL BASS MUST BE MEASURED ON A NON-FOLDING APPROVED KETCH BOARD Hawg Trough style boards are NOT approved as of April 2024 for any fish pics! Ketch boards are approved for use. Either the metal or plastic version. (Click here for product sample web page)You can use a 32″ Ketch board to measure Pike and Musky up to 32″ long. If you measure a 36″ Pike or Musky (or any other length over 32″) on a 32″ board, you will only be credited for 32″, the length of the board.

Make sure to add a black line at the zero point with a Sharpie!

Acceptable for large fish over 32″

Rapala

Rapala 60″ Folding Ruler For Big Fish (click here for product sample catalog)

This board is affordable, about $19. It folds in thirds, so it is compact and easier to carry on a kayak. Lots of people bring this along with a 32″ Ketch board. They use the Ketch board as a liner and put the folding Rapala board inside it to keep the folding Rapala board rigid.

Make sure to add a black line at the zero point with a Sharpie!

Ketch

Big Fish, Ketch 48″ folding measuring board. (click here for product sample catalog)

You can use any Ketch folding board for Musky and Pike pics. NOTE: you CANNOT use a folding board to measure bass.

Make sure to add a black line at the zero point with a Sharpie!

Musky Bumper

60″ Fatboy Muskie Bumper (***left handed***) Folding Ruler  (click here for product sample catalog)

60″ Muskie Bumper (***left handed***) Folding Ruler  (click here for product sample catalog)

60″ Bump-N-Go Folding Ruler  (click here for product sample catalog)

Big and heavy to carry on a kayak, but easy to read measurements and easier to get big fish on for measuring. You can use any private label version of the Musky Bumper boards. For instance, Thorne Brothers carry private label Musky Bumper boards. Contact Ron if you have any questions to be sure your board is approved.

Make sure to add a black line at the zero point with a Sharpie!

Send Ron a message if you need confirmation that the measurement board you have or are looking to purchase meets our requirements, we’re glad to help!

Helpful tips for taking pics

These are some of the most common issues to consider when you submit a fish pic. As a tournament director, they are the first things we look for when accepting a submission.

Helpful tip! Go to shore if your fish is lively. Get out, lay fish on your board on the floor of your kayak or on shore to take pictures. Make sure part of your kayak is in the pic. Take multiple photos every time! Put your fish on fish grips or in your net back into the water, then check your photos. Submit a photo that meets the requirement criteria. Release the fish.

You MUST follow these rules:

• Fish must be orientated as shown in the photo above. Head of fish facing left. Dorsal fin to the top of the photo.
• Mouth can be OPEN or CLOSED. Lower jaw MUST touch the front bump lip on your board. NOTE: fish mouth can be open, but we do NOT want you pulling open and stretching the mouth to attempt to add length to your submission. Put, your fish on the board and gently push the mouth up against the bump board.
• ABSOLUTELY NOTHING covering any part of the the lips, eyes or tail of the fish.
• NO lures, hooks, fish grips, stringers or anything may be attached to the fish.
• NO restraint bands, wires or ties of any kind holding the fish to the board. Only your hand may hold the fish in place, keep your hand 1″ away from the gill.
• Tail MUST be touching flat against the board.
• Length will only be counted where the judge can see the tail touching ruled lines from the manufacturer on the board
• NO team fishing! You MUST be the person who caught and measured the fish.
• You are NOT allowed to get assistance from any paid or unpaid professional guide services during any tournament.
• All fish must be caught with a rod and reel using artificial lures only.
• Clean your measuring board so it is easily readable by the Tournament Director.

Board and identifier

• Your pic MUST show an approved MNKFA measuring board or the submission will be disqualified.
• NO mechanical, folding or adjustable boards allowed for bass pics. (They may be used on fish exceeding 32″ only.)
• The ENTIRE front end of you measuring board must show in your pic. Not cut off by edge of pic in any amount!
• The ENTIRE paper control image MUST be legible and in the submitted picture. Not cut off by edge of pic in any amount!
• You may NOT alter the control image or add any promotional messages, you may handwrite tournament codes.
• Tourney tag identifier holders are acceptable to use.
• The tag shown in your pic MUST match the identifier for the tournament you are submitting the pic to or it will be disqualified.
• You must have a black line at the zero point where the horizontal and vertical planes meet on your board. For darker metal Ketch boards, you can paint a white line or use a silver Sharpie, whatever creates a contrasting line.

Submitted pics

• Photos must be sharp, NOT BLURRY, tournament director decides.
• Part of your kayak or SUP MUST be in the submitted picture that includes your fish and measuring board.
• You ARE ALLOWED to have someone else hold the camera and take the picture for your submission.
• ONLY vessels designated as kayaks or SUP’s by the manufacturer are allowed in any tournament.
• Your butt or feet MUST be in the kayak when you hook the fish, NO wade or shore fishing
• Your pics must include location and time information

All tournaments are only open to watercraft designated as a kayak or stand up paddle board (SUP) by the vessel manufacturer. No gas or electric powered boats for destination tournaments. Electric motors are allowed for online tournaments.

This picture below shows a pike measured on shore. You can see the kayak in the pic and all other requirements are met.