The weigh-in has the energy of a competition, but organizers also ask participants to record water temperature, location, and the condition of each fish. Over time, those observations create a useful picture of the bay.

Anglers notice changes early because they return to the same stretches of water. Researchers say community observations do not replace formal monitoring, but they can help identify questions worth studying more closely.

This year's tournament includes a youth category and a short session on handling fish safely. The event is competitive, but its larger purpose is to keep people paying attention to the water they depend on.