There will be three monthly contests for the 2012 Midwest online event: January, February, and March.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers each month for big 4 total weight. There will also be five prize packages for the big fish overall during the course of all three months. That means 14 total prizes are available for the contest.

I don't like rules made up as we go along, so, for those interested in monetary prizes, the breakdown of prizes is as follows. I have been gratified by a nice response from quality anglers, so I will personally add $100+ in prizes to increase the purses for each of the four contests.

Prizes for each of the three monthly Big 4 contests:
January 2012 contest - 1st--$50, 2nd--$30, 3rd--$20.
February 2012 contest - 1st--$50, 2nd--$30, 3rd--$20.
March 2012 contest - 1st--$50, 2nd--$30, 3rd--$20.

January - March 2012 Big Fish contest (A participant is eligible for only one prize in this category):
1st Place--$50
2nd--Wacker Bait Hooklink Box and 25 lb. moss green hooklink material (valued at $25).
3rd--Wacker Bait Hooklink Box and 30 lb.dark green hooklink material (valued at $22).
4th--Wacker Bait 30 lb.dark green hooklink material and size 6 hooks (valued at $16).
5th--Wacker Bait size 2 and size 4 hooks (valued at $10).

Total purse for all four contests is $350 plus over $70 in Wacker Bait merchandise.

As you can see, this contest is more about bragging rights and winter fun than it is about money.

It is more about getting out there to fish and to promote CAG tenets instead of being a winter couch potato.

1. The Midwest Winter Online Carp Contest runs from January 1st, 2012 through March 31st, 2012. However, the contest is separated into three, big-4, monthly contests running in January, February, and March. There is also a big fish contest that runs the span of the three months.

2. Entry fee will only be $10. Money should never be a big incentive for entering a carp fishing contest, but the $10 will provide some small prizes for the winners. You can submit your entry to me via paypal, regular mail, or in person.

Paypal your $10 fee to rink@prodigy.net and select the "gift" option, or mail your $10 entry to Dr. Frank Rink, 1458 Glenside Dr., Bolingbrook, IL 60490.

3. All money from entries will be used for prizes. I will not keep any of it for "administrative" fees. In fact, I will throw in some of my own funds for the prizes. Prizes will be distributed promptly to the winners!

4. There will be three monthly contests for the 2012 Midwest online event: January, February, and March. Prizes will be awarded for the top three finishers each month for big 4 total weight. There will also be five prize packages for thefive biggest fish overall during the course of all three months (a participant may win only one big fish prize). That means 14 total prize packages are available for the contest.

5. This is a catch and release event.

6. All fish must be caught from waters in the state of Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio or Indiana by anglers who reside in one of those states. However, you can be the resident of one state and catch fish from any of the five states.

7. You do not have to be a Carp Anglers Group member to participate, but it would be great if you finished this contest as a new member of the organization!

8. The contest format is strictly catch, weigh, photograph, and release. Only common and mirror carp are eligible. Fish must be caught with rod and reel using legal and humane methods of carp fishing, and fish must be released safely. You may use as many rods as legally allowed in your area. No treble hooks are allowed. One hook per line is allowed. Please take as much care as possible to safely land, weigh, take a picture, and release your carp.

9. You do not need a witness when you catch a carp for entry in this contest. This is an honor system event. Your honesty is expected and appreciated. We ask you to be truthful and accurate when weighing and submitting each fish.

10. Anglers must submit pictures of their captured fish with all required information to Frank Rink: rink@prodigy.net.

The picture can be (1) you holding the carp, or (2) a picture of the fish on an unhooking mat.

All pictures must be submitted with the date of the catch and the weight of the fish. Make sure you subtract the weight of the weigh sling. I am not interested in knowing the location of your catch as long as the carp was caught in the five state designated region.

11. All pictures and required information (weight of the carp, date of catch) must be sent by e-mail to Frank Rink at rink@prodigy.net, or you can post a photo and information on the CAG 2012 Midwest Winter Carp Contest thread, and I will copy it for the contest website. I must have submissions no later than Feb. 2 for the January 2012 contest, March 2 for the February 2012 contest, and April 2 for the March 2012 contest.

12. Registration (fee payment) for the contest is now open!

Fish may not be caught and counted prior to the official start date of the contest on January 1, 2012.

If you do not submit your $10 fee by January 1st, 2012, you can still join the event anytime after the opening date; but only the fish you catch after I receive your entry fee will be counted. In other words, the contest entry fee must be received before you can record a catch and submit a catch report.

13. There will be an online leaderboard available on the Illinois Carp Fishing NEWS website, and updates will also be posted on the Forums of the Carp Anglers Group website.

14. Anglers participate at their own risk. By your participation in this event, you waive all rights to hold the organizer liable for your actions, losses, or harm to you and others.

15. The organizer reserves the right of final judgment, including removal of participants from the contest if the organizer deems such action warranted.

16. Thank you for entering. Go fishing, stay warm, and have fun.