Columnist Paula DelGiudice: ‘Big Jake’ has $1 million tag

Paula DelGiudice

Wednesday, June 20, 2001 | 10:28 a.m.

Paula DelGiudice's outdoors notebook appears Wednesday. Reach her at desertdenizens@aol.com.

If you haven't any plans to fish for largemouth bass at Lake Mead in July, you'd better make some. On July 1, in 30 fishing holes around the country, including Lake Mead, 30 fish will be "tagged" and released. One of the tagged fish, called "Jake," will pay a grand prize of $1 million to whomever reels him in. The remaining 29 fish will pay secondary prizes of $1,000 each.

The contest runs from July 1-31. If the fish caught contains a tag with this promotion's prize message and a toll-free number (1-800-982-5643) you may be a prize winner (subject to verification). There will be one tagged fish released in each body of water.

Also on the list to receive a tagged fish are Lake Pleasant in Arizona and Elephant Butte Reservoir in New Mexico. There will be no tagged fish in California or in Utah, so you'll have to travel quite a distance to fish if one of those three aren't to your liking.

There are a couple of other contest rules. All eligible anglers must be 21 years of age or older. The contest is open to legal residents of the United States (except California and Texas) who comply with all fishing laws and regulations.

The "Catch Big Jake" promotion is yet another means we can encourage consumers to enjoy the outdoors while educating the importance of conserving our natural resources," said Keith Levy of Anheuser-Busch, Inc., the promotion's sponsor. "One lucky angler will not only reel in a great catch, but may also have one great fish tale to tell."

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is co-sponsoring the contest. Consumers wanting more information can visit www.abenvironment.com, www.busch.com or write to: Big Jake Sweepstakes Official Rule Requests, P.O. Box 3043, Young America, MN 55558-3043.

Volunteers are trained by the agency and are provided with uniforms. No previous fishing experience is required to be a volunteer.

Ivy Santee, NDOW angler education coordinator, said the agency also needs volunteers to assist with fishing equipment maintenance and stuffing goodie bags for the children.

Information about the program may be obtained by calling Santee at 486-5127, ext. 3505 or via e-mail at isantee@govmail.state.nv.us.

To avoid costly problems, boaters should slow down and look before going into and out of coves. They should also be attentive and on the lookout for reefs and obstacles that are jutting from or are just below the surface.

The reefs can be big hazards for boaters who operate at night and boaters are advised to pay strict attention to the channel markers.

Applications and listings of available tags are available at NDOW's Las Vegas office, 4747 Vegas Drive and its Henderson office, 744 South Racetrack Road. They are also available at NDOW's web site at www.nevadadivisionofwildlife.org.

Applications must be received by mail at the Wildlife Administrative Services Office in Fallon by 5 p.m. on Monday, July 2 to be eligible for the second tag drawing.