The Canadian Ice Fishing Championship Official Rules 2012 (Download Rules as a PDF - Here)

CIFC 2012 OFFICIAL RULES
Rule & Regulations issue date: December 7, 2011

1. REGISTRATION and GENERAL REGULATIONS
1.1 Registration will be limited to 150 teams.
1.2 Anglers must be at least 12 years old. Anglers under 16, must be accompanied by an adult, 18 yrs or over.
1.3 Each team will consist of two anglers. No partner substitutions will be allowed after the Rules Meeting.
1.4 At least one member of the team must attend the 7:00 pm Friday night rules meeting.
1.5 All fishing contestants must abide by the Province of Ontario Fishing Laws and any special rules announced by the Canadian Ice Fishing Championship organizers.
1.6 Contestants will be asked to fill out an Economic Impact Survey, to be completed in time to be collected at the awards presentation. Your survey answers contribute to the future of CIFC events and fishing in general.
1.7 Contestants must wear their CIFC identification badge at all times.
1.8 Any unsportsmanlike conduct, unsafe acts or failure to adhere to the tournament rules of the CIFC can result in disqualification and forfeiture of entry fee.

2. FISHING RULES
2.1 Each day will consist of 6 hours fishing time unless changed due to weather conditions or otherwise notified by the CIFC Representative. (8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.).
2.2 Contestants can fish anywhere within the designated fishing area.
2.3 Contestants can fish with their partner, but no further away than 30 paces apart.
2.4 50 feet / 15.24 meters must be kept between fishing contestants (hole to hole). The first angler at a spot has the right of way.
2.5 Contestants must fish within the marked-off - designated fishing area, and cannot leave the marked-off, designated fishing area during the contest hours.
2.6 Electronic sonar, cameras, and hydrographic maps can be used.
2.7 Contestants are subject to inspection by official judges at check in and at any other time;
2.8 Contestants are required to open the access to their ice shelter immediately when asked by CIFC controllers, Ministry of Natural Resources, conservation and police.
2.9 Contestants MUST open the access to their ice shelter immediately at 2:00pm
2.10 Maximum possession of minnows: 120 per Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary. This includes all baitfish - dead(salted) or alive.
2.11 Live bait can be used but No chumming with live minnows will be tolerated.
2.12 Chumming is allowed but No chumming prior to the commencement of the signal to start fishing.
2.13 No bait allowed in your hut, prior to the commencement of the signal to start fishing.
2.14 Any fishing holes made by any contestant larger then 7 inches must be marked prior to leaving said hole. A small branch will do. CIFC can provide these for you.
2.15 Contestants will not be allowed to switch huts with any other contestants from another team. A FIVE-GALLON PAIL PER ANGLER must be supplied by the contestants for each day’s fishing, and must be half full of water with an aerator for perch day. You will also need a bailing can to fill the bucket.
2.16 Only one line can be used with no more than four hooks on shallow water day and two lines on deep-water day.

3. OFFICIAL PROTESTS:
3.1 Protests must pertain to specific rules violations.
3.2 Competitors wishing to make an official protest must do so by reporting to the Tournament Director immediately before weigh-in.
3.3 Protests will be heard by the Tournament Director ONLY, at such time and in such manner as the tournament director determines.
3.4 All decisions of the Tournament Director shall be final and binding.
3.5 Violators of any of the above-mentioned CIFC rules shall be subject to:
A/ a -25 point ticket, (25 points will be deducted from your final score).
B/ disqualification and forfeiture of entry fee. All decisions of the Tournament Director shall be final and binding.

4. SAFETY
4.1 No alcohol or drugs will be allowed in the fishing area, or on your person or ATV/sled or with any other mode of transportation while out on the ice during competition day.
4.2 No AM/FM radios, stereos, audible devices, or pets allowed in or at the designated CIFC fishing areas. (Does not include Cell phones and hand held personal radios).
4.3 Any unsportsmanlike conduct, unsafe acts or failure to adhere to the tournament rules of the CIFC can result in disqualification and forfeiture of entry fee.
4.4 All motorized equipment and related equipment must be in safe and proper running order.
4.5 Ministry laws require you use a solid tow bar when pulling sleds, huts, etc on the ice
4.6 No vehicles are allowed in the fishing area.
4.7 NO trucks, cars or deemed highway automobiles can be used on the ice in the CIFC for any application.
4.8 Only Commercial Portable Fish Huts that comply with fire rating laws may be used. Home built huts are not allowed to be used during the tournament.

5. SCORING
5.1 All teams (2 members) must check in at the CIFC official site for inspection and verification prior to going on the ice. All teams MUST check in at the CIFC official site at the end of the competition each day. Failure to do so will cancel any points awarded that day. Bait buckets, coolers, and other equipment will all be checked by officials prior to travel out to ice fishing grounds.
5.2 Teams MUST confirm their Saturday scores at the CIFC meeting place prior to 9:00pm, and prior to 5:00pm on Sunday. Teams who do not confirm their scores prior to the aforementioned times will accept the scores allotted by the CIFC officials.

6. FISH SPECIES, LIMITS, POINTS
6.1 All Trout, Ling, Pike, Whitefish, Walleye, and Bowfin will be scored points for catching and 25 points for live release, plus one (1) point per inch.
6.2 Only the aforementioned fish will be scored on DAY ONE – BIG FISH DAY
6.3 Contestants MUST surrender the fish in their possession to the controller(s) when requested.
6.4 Only Perch will be scored on DAY TWO – PERCH DAY
6.5 Teams will be allowed to weigh in only 15 perch at the end of the competition.
6.6 Weigh-in score will be converted into a point system to match Big Fish Day. (This will be explained at rules night).
6.7 Teams can have up to fifteen (15) perch in their possession.
6.8 Anglers are responsible for counting their own fish. Any fish turned in over the (MNR) legal limit will have their score deducted by the fish score times the number of fish.

7. AWARDS
7.1 The winning teams will be decided by the most points earned during the two days of fishing based on the scoring system of the CIFC.
7.2 If a tie in points occurs, the team with the most fish registered will win the Championship and First Prize money, with the other team winning the Second Prize money.
7.3 If a tie in points occurs with teams 2nd to 10th, the two or more teams will split the proceeds of the two or more positions.
7.4 If a tie in points occurs with team’s 11th to 20th, the two or more teams will be entered into a draw to determine their position.

8. BIG FISH CONTEST:
8.1 A Big Fish plaque and cash prize will be awarded to the largest LIVE qualified fish measured over the weekend.
8.2 Anglers can sign up for the $20 Lunker pool anytime up to the end of the Friday night meeting.
8.3 Moneys will be split between tying teams.

 

LAST REVISION DECEMBER 7, 2011