Join the Miccosukee Tribe for 24 hours of fishing in the Swamp Invaders Fishing Tournament. Show off your skills and compete with fellow anglers to catch and remove invasive exotic species from the swamp.

The intent of the Removal of the Swamp Invaders Fishing Tournament is to better inform the public about the negative effects of exotic fish, encourage fishing to remove exotic fish, and restore the native fishery and the Everglades.

The tournament starts at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 17 and ends at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 18. Anglers will compete for cash prizes. The event will also include giveaways.

Miccosukee Earth Day festivities on April 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. will feature live music, giveaways, Tribal crafts, conservation education, alligator wrestling and more.

Any legal method of taking fish may be used to harvest EXOTIC fish species during the tournament. Refer to fwc.com for information about fishing regulations.

Fishing for this tournament will occur in the Everglades and the Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area (a.k.a. Water Conservation Area 3A). Tournament officials reserve the right, at their sole discretion, to conduct external and internal inspections of any fish submitted for weigh-in or prize consideration.

Competitors MUST be registered and weigh-in their catch between 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on April 18. Weigh-in will be at  Miccosukee Indian Village, 500 US Hwy 41, Miami, FL 33194.

Fishing in this tournament is an individual event. If you are fishing with others, each member of your party must register individually (a party CANNOT pool all of their catch under one person).

Registration can be done online before the event or in person. Online registration is preferred and will secure your exclusive tournament T-shirt. T-shirts will be provided while supplies last.

In-person registrants will need to enter through the Earth Day Festival/Fishing Tournament event entrance Miccosukee Indian Village , 500 US Hwy 41, Miami, FL 33194. In-person registration fees must be paid in cash at the Fish and Wildlife's check-in booth.

The goal of the Swamp Invaders Fishing Tournament is the removal of EXOTIC fish and the harmful effects they have on the ecosystem. If native fish are caught as by-catch during the tournament fishing, these fish must be returned immediately to the water unharmed. Native fish will not be included in any categories in this tournament.

Butterfly Peacock bass are regulated under state law as a sport fish. Anglers may catch, remove, and submit Peacock Bass for this tournament; however, anglers must comply with Florida regulations. The general statewide bag limit allows the harvest of two Peacock Bass, only one of which may be 17 inches or longer in length,

Grass Carp may NOT be caught. Possession of grass carp is Illegal. Grass carp were released intentionally for aquatic plant control purposes. If this species is accidentally caught, return the fish immediately to the water unharmed.

Any person or boat without a valid license or registration violate state and/or federal law and may have their fish disqualified at weigh-in. All fish must be caught in compliance with the State of Florida regulations and within legal fishing areas.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the first, second, and third place anglers in three age categories for:

• Most weight of exotic fish: First place wins $500. Second place wins $250. Third place wins $125.
• Exotic slam – The number of different exotic fish species caught; in case of a tie, the weight of the fish will determine the winner. First place wins $300. Second place wins $150. Third place wins $75.
• Largest exotic fish caught by weight. First place wins $100. Second place wins $50. Third place wins $25.

Age categories and entry fees are: Kids (10 and under), $15; Juniors (11-17). $25; and, adults (age 18 and older), $25.

Fishing in this tournament is an individual event. If you are fishing with others, each person in the party must register individually. A party cannot pool all their catch under one person.