Bounty Program
Every carp brought in earns $3 cash, with $1.50 of each bounty going into the grand-prize pot. Undersized carp (below the minimum length) earn $5, with $1.50 also going to the pot. Two grand prizes are awarded at the end of the season -- one for the top shore team and one for the top boat team.
Disclosure: utahlakecarp.com is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or run by the Great Carp Hunt organizers. We are an independent informational resource. For official registration, rules, and event details, please visit the official ULA tournament page and review the official rules document. The information below is based on publicly available details and past seasons.
How the Tournament Works
Register Your Team
Teams of up to 5 members register as either shore or boat. Registration is $45 per person and covers all six events (non-refundable). Children under 12 are free. At least one team member must be a Utah resident, and all participants 12 and older need a valid Utah fishing licence.
Check In & Fish
Check in at the hosting marina between 7:00 and 7:45 AM. Fishing runs 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Teams may fish anywhere on Utah Lake using public access points with any legal harvest method -- including rod and reel, bowfishing, netting, and traps. You must check in and out at the hosting marina.
Count & Collect the Bounty
Catches are counted at the check-out station. Participants collect $3 for every carp. A W-9 is required for prize payment, and the cheque is issued to a single designated team recipient. Season totals determine grand-prize standings.
2026 Tournament Schedule
Tournaments run twice monthly from April 11 through June 27, 2026. Check-in is 7:00–7:45 AM, fishing 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. Visit the official Great Carp Hunt website for registration and entry details.
Categories
Shore Category
Participants fish from the bank using public access points. All legal shore-based methods are allowed: rod and reel, cast nets, seines, and more. A great option for anglers without boat access. The top shore team wins its own grand prize at season's end.
Boat Category
Competitors fish anywhere on Utah Lake from their own vessel. Bowfishing from a boat is extremely effective. Teams with boats typically bring in higher volume. The top boat team wins its own grand prize at season's end.
Teams register as either shore or boat. To compete in both categories, you must register (and pay) separately for each. There are no designated shore-only or boat-only dates -- all participants may fish any of the six tournament days. Each category has its own separate grand prize.
Tournament Rules
- Up to 2 vessels per team. Boats launched before 8:00 AM must remain docked until the official start.
- Teams must maintain at least 25 yards distance from other teams.
- No transferring fish or items between teams.
- All legal fishing methods are permitted (rod and reel, bowfishing, netting, traps, etc.).
- Alcohol and illegal substances are prohibited during the tournament.
- Harassment of any kind results in immediate disqualification.
- Fish must be disposed of in designated dumpsters. Teams may take carp home after they are counted.
- ULA may cancel events for unsafe weather conditions; participants will be notified.
- ULA reserves the right to alter rules for safety or fairness.
- Participants agree to photo releases for promotional use.
2025 Season Results
The 2025 Great Carp Hunt was a massive success, removing 4,686 carp from Utah Lake across the season. Team BPS took home the $10,000 grand prize, demonstrating that competitive carp removal pays -- literally. The 2026 season aims to surpass those numbers.
Tips for Competing
Scout Before Tournament Day
Visit your target spots the week before. Look for muddy, churned-up water -- that's where carp are feeding. Check the fishing report for current conditions.
Use Multiple Methods
Top teams combine angling with bowfishing and netting. Diversifying your approach maximizes your fish count. Know the regulations for each method.
Focus on Volume, Not Size
The bounty is per fish, not per pound. Target schools of smaller carp in shallow bays for the fastest accumulation. Undersized carp actually earn $5 each, so smaller fish can be worth more. Spring spawning areas are goldmines for volume.
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Thinking About Entering?
If you haven't checked out the Great Carp Hunt yet, it's worth a look. Brush up on your technique, know the regulations, and get familiar with the lake before tournament season arrives.