The New Wave of Ice Fishing Events
Colorado's Premier Ice‑Fishing Tournament
February 6, 2027 · Rifle, Colorado
600 Anglers · $13,250 in Cash Prizes · One Day on the Ice
Fish where you want. Fish how you want. Within the park. Within the rules.
Catch. Record. Release.
$100 per angler · Registration opens November 15 at 9 AM
The Event
Fishing. That's what
this event is about.
Hard Water Hunters is built to give anglers the freedom to fish. Fish where you want. Fish how you want. Within the park. Within the rules.
Catch your fish. Measure it on your official event bump board. Submit it through the live app. Release it.
That's it.
Feb 6, 2027
Event Date
7 AM–3 PM
Fishing Hours
$100
Per Angler
600
Angler Capacity
4 Species
Trout · Bass · Pike · Perch
$13,250
Available Cash Prizes*
*Listed prize values are available with attendance of 400 or more anglers.
How It Works
Four steps. One day.
01
Check In
Arrive at the main park entrance between 5–7 AM.
Give the event team your name and receive your custom Hard Water Hunters bump board.
02
Hit The Ice
Once you're checked in, drive to your desired location within the park and make your way onto the ice.
No holes may be drilled before 7 AM.
03
Catch. Record. Release.
Catch a fish. Measure it using your event-issued bump board.
Submit the catch through the live event app. Release the fish immediately.
04
Head To The Awards
Fishing and submissions close at 3 PM.
Meet at the boat ramp parking lot for the 4 PM awards ceremony.
Cash Prizes
What's on the line
Longest Trout · 1st Place
$2,500
Top 10 trout all pay cash — $11,750 total
Longest Trout
- 1st$2,500
- 2nd$2,000
- 3rd$1,750
- 4th$1,500
- 5th$1,250
- 6th$1,000
- 7th$750
- 8th$500
- 9th$250
- 10th$250
Longest Bass
$500
Longest Pike
$500
Longest Perch
$500
All listed places pay cash.
Listed prize values are available with attendance of 400 or more anglers.
Event Day
February 6, 2027
5:00–7:00 AM
Check-In
Main park entrance
7:00 AM
Lines In
Fishing begins. Holes may now be drilled.
3:00 PM
Lines Out
Fishing and catch submissions close.
4:00 PM
Awards
Boat ramp parking lot
The Catch System
Catch. Measure.
Submit. Release.
Every registered angler receives an official Hard Water Hunters bump board at check-in.
Fish are measured by length, photographed/recorded according to event instructions, submitted through the live event app, and immediately released.
Anglers may submit up to the legal limit for each species.
Limited cell service?
We've got it covered.
Event judges will carry Starlink connectivity, giving anglers a way to upload catches while near a judge even in areas with poor cellular service.
Rules, Safety & Conservation
Fair fishing. Safe ice.
Healthy fish.
Hard Water Hunters is designed around a catch-and-release format that gives anglers freedom to fish while protecting the resource and keeping competition fair. Judges on snowmobiles will patrol the ice throughout the event to monitor safe conduct and competition rules.
Competition integrity
Judges will carry underwater cameras and may conduct random checks of fishing holes throughout the event. Decisions made by field judges are final.
Ice safety
Any area determined to be unsafe will be closed using cones and flagging tape. An updated closure map will be provided at check-in, texted and emailed to participants. All anglers must remain outside closed areas.
Registration
Claim your spot
Opens
Nov 15, 2026
9:00 AM
Entry
$100
per angler
Closes
Feb 5, 2027
8:00 PM or at 600 anglers
After registration, every angler receives direct communication with complete event instructions, rules, check-in details and everything needed for event day.
600 spots. When they're gone, they're gone.
FAQ