S#$T ,
That is totally my bad, completely agree with you. Not sure why I didnt check the regs before lake fishing. No excuses, Im pretty embarrassed.
Still...it was good that you only kept the two. I'm glad to hear you released a bunch because many do not because there's no one looking over their shoulder, especially on those bitter cold days when no one in their right mind should be out there.
I see more .... and hear more about ice fisherman breaking the rules more than any other type of angler. If you think DFO are sparse during the open water season on lakes, winter is ten times worse! Unless they take out snow mobiles very few lakes get checked, especially if you're off the beaten track even the tiniest bit.
There are people who live on the lake year round where our cabin is and they are constantly phoning the police and DFO during the winter months to check out people who are taking out truck loads of fish. They never show up...always using some flimsy excuse and this lake is accessible by road!
I have a friend who goes out in his small aircraft several times every winter and he sees ice fisherman on tons of lakes that have winter closures....lakes that I can't wait to fish in the spring starting May 1st.
I've got alot of faith in the guys on this website because I believe they play by the rules so while you're out there... keep the "bad" ones on the straight and narrow.