Pool Rules at Indy Lakes:  revised 10/04/09 (rule #4 fish caddy added)

1). Pool entry must be at time you purchase permit.  Valid permit with pool stamp is required.  The order of these rules has no relevance.  The baitshop attendant may require couples or groups fishing together to get in same pools.  The attendant on duty may allow or require later pool entries, or may void all pool entries, if groups are fishing together and they are not in the same pools. This is at the attendant’s discretion; All affected tickets must be presented as requested by attendant. 

2). Two pole limit - third pole costs extra (stamp required).  Read your permit as all permit conditions apply.  No chumming is a permit rule (defined as throwing bait into the water that is not on a hook when cast.  Chumming is baiting an area of water intentionally.  Small amounts of bait used as line marker that falls into the water is acceptable within reason.) 

3). Fish must be hooked in mouth.  No snagging.  No multi-prong hooks. No multiple hooks.  No hair-rigs.  If your rig looks like it is intended to snag (like having bait away from hook on a separate rig) you will be disqualified.

4). Fish must be carried in a net or a fish caddy.  Weighing Procedure:  Angler must remove fish from net inside baitshop and place fish in basket.  Angler may get assistance from others but attendant is not required to assist.  Fish should not be lifted by gills - this may kill the fish.  Attendant may disqualify fish if lifted by gills.  Reweigh procedure:  Fish can only be weighed one time however baitshop attendant can demand a reweigh if he/she knows that scale was not on zero or if other discrepancies were noted before fish was put in basket (previous weighing debris can affect zero setting, basket weight may not have been set to zero, etc.). 

5). No holding of fish longer than 10 minutes (to allow for tackle put-up, etc.).  Only one fish per net.  Lander (netter) may not be out in water above knees to land.  If kneecaps are partially wet due to water depth, fish is disqualified.

6). Fish must be in baitshop before pool ends.  If a pool or permit ends at 6:00, you must be in the door no later than 5:59:59.  

7). Protest must be made at time of weigh-in, unless violations are discovered thereafter.  In any event, protests must occur before pool is paid.  We will prosecute civilly and criminally if intentional fraud can be proven.

8). Fish must be returned to respective lake in which it was caught unless management says otherwise.  If a carp is weighed in from front lakes, it must be released, regardless of whether it places.   Read your permit.  Angler should weigh in own fish to avoid confusion - if we cannot verify correct angler through fishing permit or records or if suspicious activity is noticed, fish is disqualified.

9).  Any pool violation will result in immediate disqualification of all active pool entries defined as any active fish entered on pools or contests that have not yet been paid.  The angler can continue fishing on the same permit after violation(s) are corrected HOWEVER further penalties may apply depending on severity, history, angler's intent, and/or management's judgment.  

10). Once fish enters baitshop, it cannot leave and then be re-weighed or re-entered.

11). Angler’s choice of pool if Fish qualifies.  One Fish equals one pool or contest position unless specific Contest allows otherwise. 

12). Staff can and will conduct periodic line and hook set-up inspections.  Failure to reel in lines for inspection results in disqualification of pool entries for the entire season.  If your rig looks like it is intended to snag – you lose.

13). No swapping/giving/receiving of pool fish.  Pool winners must collect within 30 days of pool end.

14). Reminder that permit is not transferable - you cannot fish with other’s rigs, you can watch and warn but touching others' rig voids that fish.  However, rule #9 may not fully apply if the violation is ruled accidental (meaning previous entries may be allowed).  This includes ANYTHING which causes you to touch another’s rigs while the fish is in the water and also includes baiting the hook and casting or anything else which causes you to touch any angler’s rig except for hardware preparation such as hook or bobber installation.  You may net another’s fish.

15). Unauthorized visitors may void your pools and ticket.  It is your responsibility to ensure visitors check-in for permission to visit before they enter fishing areas.  Non-fishing guests are discouraged from having lake access.   

16). No line marker that pollutes such as styrofoam, tinfoil, plastic or paper products.   Play-do, dough-bait, other bait or foods are acceptable in small quantities;  Clip/tied-on bobbers/bells/glow sticks that don’t fly off are also acceptable.  See baitshop attendant for clarity or questions on any subject. 

17). If fish looks or is sick (such as fungus covered, abused, bacteria growth, excessive red spots or blood, etc.) it does not qualify.

18). the latest pool rules are posted in the baitshop and copies are available.  Winners agree to let us use their photos for display in our baitshop and on our website.

19). Maximum handle length on landing net is seventy-two (72) inches.

20). Management will pay winners when satisfied no rules were broken and catch was legitimate.

21). Management’s pay-out to winners constitute a final ruling and are not disputable.    Management’s judgment is final.