The Purcell Carp Classic Fishing Tournament at Purcell Lake is a joint effort between the City of Purcell Parks and Recreation Department, The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, and local fishing enthusiast to control the invasive common carp population and help restore vegetation, habitat, and sport fish numbers in the lake.
2023 Tournament Details
The 2023 tournament was divided into three age divisions: 5-12, 13-17, and 18 and Up. Ages 5-12 were free to enter. 13 and up were $10.00 per participant. Each division had a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place award for heaviest stringer weight of Carp caught. The overall tournament had a prize for Biggest Carp caught, and a prize for Longest Carp caught. Kids 5-12 also received a gift of a free fishing lure for entering.
5 to 12 Division Winners Waylon Backhaus (1st), Blaine Bebout (2nd), and Dailyn Close (3rd)
Monte's Gourmet Dogs was on site selling his signature gourmet hot dogs at the Chandler Pavilion from 11:00am to 3:00pm. Facebook Link: Monte's Gourmet Dogs
Proceeds from the tournament will go towards future conservation efforts at Purcell Lake.
This tournament is designed to help control carp populations in Purcell Lake. All of the carp caught will not be returned to the lake. If you or someone you know would be interested in collecting the carp after the tournament is over, please contact parks@purcellok.gov for arrangements.
September 23rd, 2023 6:00 am to 3:00 pm Purcell Lake - Chandler Pavilion 1401A Lake Road Purcell, OK 73080 (405) 527-7227 parks@purcellok.gov
Thank you to our community for supporting this tournament! Happy Camper Cafe - Flat Armadillo Trading Company - Above Board Gourmet - Trace's Tacke Plus - Grand Canadian Theater Pride Popcorn - Purcell Tag Agency - Main Vapor - Tyler's Furniture - Apothecary Dispensary - Holistic Hut - E6 Tactical Academy Sports - Criswell's Services - Jacks Insurance - Suchy's Minnows - KMC Motors - Barker Family Union Hill Baptist Church - McClain Bank - Vans Pig Stand - Mid-State Housing - Empire Roofing - Elliot's Automotive Sonny's Cafe - TK's Cork & Bottle - Cash Savers - O'Reily Auto Parts - KB Fitness
History of the Tournament
In 2018, the City of Purcell Parks & Recreation Department began efforts to control the common carp in Purcell Lake. Carp are notorious for altering natural ecosystems. They uproot and disturb submerged vegetation while searching for insect larvae to eat. Carp reduce water clarity and stir up bottom phosphorus-containing sediments, which contributes to algae blooms.
As their population has grown, the condition of the vegetation and habitat for other species in the lake began to slowly deteriorate. Crappie, Bass, and Catfish numbers have dropped steadily as a result.
For this reason, the tournament was established to control the invasive species in our lake to allow vegetation and sport fish populations to increase. This is not a catch-and-release tournament, as any carp that are caught are not to be returned to Purcell Lake.
