CANTON – This August, the 10th Annual St. Lawrence International Junior Carp Tournament will offer a $10,000 prize to the young angler whose top four fish total more than 100 pounds in weight.

Assuming that those winning fish would also qualify the boy or girl for the Tournament Champion prize (for the greatest weight of up to four carp) of $1,500 and a division win for $800, the prize money won could total $12,300 or more.

This year’s single big fish prize has not yet been announced. Last summer the biggest carp caught and released was a 40-pound, eight-ounce behemoth.

The $10,000 prize has not been offered in several years, according to the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, host of the largest three-day tournament of its kind in the U.S. In 2004, Connor Loomis of Waddington became the first and, to date, the only Junior Carp contestant to win the extra prize, along with the Tournament Champion title and his age division title.

Loomis was Grand Marshal of last year’s tournament. Ashley Beldock of Lisbon, who like Loomis was a multi-year participant in the tournament until she “aged out,” is Grand Marshal for this year’s 10th Anniversary. The tournament’s first Grand Marshal was British actor Tom Felton, best known as the sinister Draco Malfoy in all the Harry Potter films.

The tournament takes place Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 16 to 18, along a 30-mile stretch of the river from Ogdensburg to Massena. The event kicks off with the Mort Backus & Sons Fishing School that Thursday and concludes with an awards ceremony that Saturday night.

The tournament is open to boys and girls ages 11 to 18. Registration is $100 before July 15, $125 after that date, and covers all activities.

Registration materials can be downloaded from www.northcountryguide.com or call the Chamber at 386-4000 to request a form and more information.

Interested sponsors of the event or of fishing teams can call the Chamber, too, as can individuals who are always needed to act as marshals and general volunteers.