The Miccosukee Tribe will host Removal of the Swamp Invaders fishing tournament on March 25 and 26.

The tournament offers more than $4,000 in cash prizes and giveaways. The goal of the tournament is to educate the public about the negative effects of exotic fish and to encourage the public to remove exotic fish from Florida waterways.

Fishing will begin at 7 p.m. on March 25 and end prior to 3 p.m. on March 26. All contestants must weigh in their fish prior to 3 p.m. on March 26 or be disqualified.

There will be prizes for: Wost weight of Exotic fFsh; Largest Exotic Fish; and Exotic Slam, in age categories: 18 and above, 11-17 and 10 and under.

The combined total weight of the exotic fish entered will count towards Most Weight of Exotic Fish.

The competitor’s greatest number of different exotic fish species entered will be counted towards Exotic Slam. In the case of a tie, the combined weigh of the fish entered will be factored into determining the winner for the Exotic Slam.

The competitor’s largest exotic fish entered will be counted towards Largest Exotic Fish.

Fishing for this event is permitted in all legal freshwater fishing areas within the Everglades Water Conservation Area 3A (Everglades Wildlife Management Area) and Water Conservation Area 3B (Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area), for the general public. Fishing within the Miccosukee Indian Reservation will be allowed for Miccosukee Community Members only.

Any legal method of fishing may be used to harvest exotic fish species during the tournament, refer to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website, myfwc.com, for further information on regulations.

Butterfly Peacock (Cichla Ocellaris), Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon Idella), and all native fish species are prohibited from the tournament.

Possession of grass carp is illegal. Grass carp must be returned immediately to the water unharmed as they were released intentionally for aquatic plant control purposes. Butterfly peacock are protected under state law as a sportfish and are not an eligible species for this contest.

The combined total volume of trash including but not limited to ( e.g. plastic, cans/bottles, fishing line/rope, Styrofoam, cigarette butt, and rubber) collected in the tournament area entered by a competitor will be counted towards Swamp Clean Up.

Additional prizes will be given out by sponsors.

The first 10 competitors in the kids age class to register will receive a voucher for a free dozen shiners. This was made possible by donation from Iggie’s Bait & Tackle

 Off the Hook Florida will be joining the tournament to spread awareness and educate on the effects of waste pollution in our waterways. Competitors will be awarded prizes for their participation in the Swamp Clean Up competition.

 Monster 3X USA has donated an assortment of the toughest lures on the market that will be awarded as a prize to the winner of the Swamp Clean Up competition.

 Arrow Assault Bowfishing USCG licensed captain Donovan Tate has donated a guided 4 hour freshwater night trip for 2 people. Each additional person in the party will be $100 (maximum of an additional 4 people). This will be the prize raffled off with competitors registration raffle ticket. 

Registration is $25 per person for those age 11 and above, $15 for anglers age 10 and under.

The goal of the Swamp Invaders Fishing tournament is the removal of exotic fish and the harmful effects they have on the environment. It is possible for native fish to be caught as by-catch, but must be returned immediately to the water unharmed. Targeting of fresh water native fish by competitors is prohibited during the tournament.

To register, go on line to www.eventbrite.com.

For more information, call 305 223-8380 ext. 2242.