Simply registering a trophy-size freshwater fish that includes a certified weight (see trophy fish chart) with the Online Virginia Angler Recognition Program will put you in contention for recognition as an Angler of the Month and Angler of the Year. Anglers who register the largest trophy of each species on the trophy fish chart, by certified weight, each month are recognized as anglers of the month and are given an Angler of the Month pin. Anglers who register the largest trophy of each species on the trophy fish chart, by certified weight, for the year are recognized as anglers of the year and are given an Angler of the Year pin.
To be in the running for Angler of the Month or Angler of the Year your trophy fish must be weighed on a certified scale. Personal scales are required to be certified on an annual basis by an approved third party such as the IGFA. Store scales are also required to be certified on an annual basis by an approved party such as the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS). Anglers can’t certify their own personal scales and fish weighed on personal scales that are not certified by an approved third party will not be considered for Angler of the Month or Angler of the Year. For additional information on scale certification see these pages below:
There are no special application procedures for the Angler of the Month and Angler of the Year awards. All anglers who register trophy fish by certified weight, are automatically placed into contention (provided that your trophy fish award application is received within sixty days after the last day of the month). The list of recipients is updated monthly here online.
(Please note: there is a sixty day lag period between the end of each month to the announcement of the winners due to the amount of time provided to anglers for submission of trophy fish applications.)