Cabela’s can’t confirm CdA fish tagged for sweepstakes
FISHING -- A day of fishing is never wasted, but perhaps there was no reason for anglers to get their hopes too high for catching a $1 million fish since the weekend in Lake Coeur d'Alene. At least not yet.
On Friday, Cabela's announced the Saturday opening of a "Wanna Go Fishing for Millions?" promotion involving tagged fish in 19 states including Lake Coeur d'Alene in North Idaho and Sprague and Potholes in Eastern Washington.
However, Cabela's officials would not confirm this afternoon that any fish had been caught, tagged and released in Lake Coeur d'Alene.
"I can assure you a number of fish are going to be tagged now or in the next day or two," said Ron Brekhus, general manager of the Post Falls store.
Jim Fredericks, Idaho Fish and Game Department regional fisheries manager, said he could not confirm that any fish had been tagged. However, he said the agency had received a request this week to help Cabela's tag some smallmouth bass.
John Whalen, Washington Fish and Wildlife Department regional fisheries manager said state fisheries biologists had inserted Cabela's tags into rainbows and largemouth bass last week in Sprague Lake and Potholes Reservoir.
More than 60,000 people have registered online to participate in trying to catch about 1,000 tagged fish in 67 waters in 19 states for prizes.
The goal is to encourage more people to enjoy the great outdoors, Cabela's officials said.
Register online to qualify for the prizes should you catch a tagged fish. Read on for more details.
Meantime, Cabela's officials said they would contact me to let you know when they could confirm that tagged fish have been released in Lake Coeur d'Alene.
Cabela's, partnering with the Outdoor Channel, has just announced that Sprague Lake and Potholes Reservoir in Washington and Lake Coeur d'Alene in Idaho will be among the waters that might have tagged fish anglers can turn in for valuable prizes -- including a grand prize of up to $2.2 million -- in the company's "Wanna Go Fishing for Millions?' promotion.
At least one fish is worth $1 million, but an angler can more than double the prize by catching the fish while using gear from contest sponsors including an Abu Garcia reel spooled with Berkley line, Costa sunglasses and Sperry Top-Sider shoes.
Cabela’s is celebrating its 50th anniversary by offering a $10,000 shopping spree to the angler who redeems the 50th tag.
Additional prizes are designated for the first tag redeemed in each participating state.
Following is a list of all waters Cabela's said would receive tagged fishing for the promotion.
Arizona
Lake Pleasant
Theodore Roosevelt Lake
Patagonia Lake
Colorado
Blue Mesa Reservoir
Pueblo Reservoir
Connecticut
Highland Lake
Connecticut River
Mashapaug Lake
Idaho
C.J. Strike Reservoir
Lucky Peak Reservoir
Lake Coeur d’Alene
Illinois
Chain O’ Lakes
Rend Lake
Carlyle Lake
Indiana
Patoka Lake
Monroe Lake
Brookville Lake
Kansas
Milford Reservoir
Glen Elder Reservoir
Cheney Reservoir
Clinton Reservoir
Kanopolis Reservoir
El Dorado Reservoir
Cedar Bluff Reservoir
Hillsdale Reservoir
Louisiana
Toledo Bend Reservoir
Lake Cataouatche
Bayou D’Arbonne Lake
Chicot Lake
Michigan
Pontiac Lake
Belleville Lake
Wamplers Lake
Maine
Cobbosseecontee Lake
Long Lake
Nevada
Lake Mead
South Fork Reservoir
Oregon
Detroit Lake
Hagg Lake
Pennsylvania
Presque Isle Bay
Lake Wallenpaupack
Raystown Lake
Penns Creek
Lake Arthur
Emsworth Pool
Lake Nockamixon
Foster Joseph Sayers Lake
South Dakota
Lake Sharpe
Lake Madison
Pactola Reservoir
Texas
Lake Nasworthy
Canyon Lake
Eagle Mountain Lake
Lake Fork Reservoir
Lake Travis
Lake Ray Roberts
Utah
East Canyon Reservoir
Starvation Reservoir
Lake Powell
Washington
Lake Washington
Potholes Reservoir
American Lake
Sprague Lake
West Virginia
R.D. Bailey Lake
Burnsville Lake
Tygart Lake
Wisconsin
Lake Winnebago
Madison Chain