1. Getting Started
A. The CFN Winter Fest is an online tournament run through Angler’s Atlas website andtheir mobile app MyCatch.
B. Anyone can participate in the CFN Winter Fest and it is for all ages. Registration is currently only able to support individual registration. For those participants sharing a mobile device, participants must login to their own account to submit their catches.
C. It is FREE to enter the tournament.
D. Catches must be submitted through the MyCatch app for judging anytime during the tournament period (Feb. 1, 2022 to Feb. 28, 2022)
E. In order for catches to be sent properly, you must use the same login email and password for both the Angler’s Atlas website and the MyCatch app.
F. All contestants must register for the tournament via this URL: https://www.anglersatlas.com/tournament/To be completed when event is set up
G. You will receive an automatic email confirming that you have entered the tournament
H. Once accepted into the tournament, download the free MyCatch mobile app which is available for both iOS (Apple App Store) and Android (Google Play Store) and login to activate the tournament on the app again using the same login email and password that you used to register in the tournament. (https://www.anglersatlas.com/mycatch)
I. Protecting anglers’ privacy is a priority, and any location data collected during the tournament will not be released to the public. Our promise to anglers is “Secret Fishing Spots Stay Secret”. See below for further details.

2. Awards & Prize Eligibility
A. All contestants have a chance to win the following awards and prizes:

a. Longest Northern Pike - CFN Sponsor Prize Pack
b. Longest Walleye - CFN Sponsor Prize Pack
c. Longest Sunfish (Black Crappie, White Crappie, Rockbass, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed) - CFN Sponsor Prize Pack
d. Longest Yellow Perch - CFN Sponsor Prize Pack
e. Longest Open - CFN Sponsor Prize Pack
f. Smallest Fish - CFN Sponsor Prize Pack

Category Raffle Draws
- Northern Pike Draw - CFN Sponsor Prize Pack
- Walleye Draw - CFN Sponsor Prize Pack
- Yellow Perch Draw - CFN Sponsor Prize Pack
- Sunfish Draw - CFN Sponsor Prize Pack
- Open Draw - CFN Sponsor Prize Pack
Grand Prize Raffle Draw - TBD
Youth Draw (17 and under) - CFN Sponsor Prize Pack

B. In order to be eligible for longest length and category draws, anglers must use the MyCatch App to submit their entries (see details below).
C. In order for anglers to be eligible for the grand prize draw

•  Download their entry videos from the MyCatch App and upload to the CFN Fish Off Facebook page. Here is the "code picture" to use when submitting video's:

3. Catch Reporting Rules
A. Catch and release is encouraged but not mandatory. All species are eligible for this event.
B. In order for each catch to qualify:
○ A photograph of the fish on a measuring device must be taken using the MyCatch app (ie. photos cannot be uploaded from a photo gallery or other source).
○ A video of the fish with the angler saying the tournament code must also be taken using the MyCatch app (ie. vidoes cannot be uploaded from a photo gallery or other source).
C. Your measurement photo will automatically be sent to our MyCatch judging team to be verified. The largest fish in each category wins that category prize pack.
○ If two or more fish have the same length, the fish that was entered first is considered the winner.
D. Your video needs to:
○ Have you saying the tournament code
○ Be downloaded from the MyCatch App onto your camera roll
○ Be uploaded to the CFN Fish Off Facebook page in order to qualify for the various category and grand prize draws
E. All contestants must have GPS/location services enabled on your cell phone for their catches to qualify. Your location data will be protected and will only be used for scientific and research purposes. For more information, see details below.
F. This is a length-based measurement tournament. See pic for reference. The total length of a fish is measured from the tip of the nose or jaw to the tip of the tail.
○ Mouth needs to be in a natural and relaxed position (opened or closed).
○ Tail can be pinched to get maximum length.
G. The nose of the fish must be at the start or zero mark on all measuring devices and the total length is taken where the longest length of the tail crosses the measurements on the measuring device.
H. All Fish must be measured with the right side down (the right side of the fish must be facing down or touching the board) and the left side of the fish facing upwards.
I. If you measure your fish entry on a commercially produced bumpboard, the measurement rules are as follows:
○ The nose of the fish must be visibly touching the bump end of the board.
○ The fish must be placed on top of the board.
○ The entire fish showing the head and tail (and past the tail) must be visible in the measurement photo.
J. If you measure your fish entry on a homemade bumpboard, the measurement rules are the same as above BUT you must provide a photo to the organizer of the empty board to verify proof of measurement accuracy. Unverified boards will NOT be accepted.
K. If you measure your fish using a tape measure, the measurement rules are as follows:
○ The fish nose must be aligned with the zero mark on the tape.
○ The fish cannot be on top of the tape measure or cover the measuring tape in any way (this will ensure the tape measure has not been modified in any way).
○ The entire fish showing the head and tail (and past the tail) must be visible in the measurement photo.
L. The photo must be taken from a birds-eye view looking down on the fish (not on an angle).
M. A photo that does not clearly show the overall length of the fish, including head and tail, on the ruler, WILL NOT BE RECORDED as a measured entry. However, this catch will can be entered as a non-measured fish. More than one attempt to get a valid scoring photo is allowed. The app will prompt you to either accept the photo or retake a photo.
N. There are to be no fingers placed in the gills of the fish. Any fingers in the gills of the fish will disqualify that entry.
O. A second optional photo, of you holding the fish often can also be taken using the MyCatch App. We call this a “Hero Shot.” These pictures will be collected and potentially displayed on the CFN social media page and website.
P. Photo entries must show the entire fish so it can be identified by tournament organizers.
○ Depending on the species, other distinguishing features should also be shown by video or pictures so our judges can properly identify what species is entered.
○ Ex. Anal rays on a bullhead
○ Ex. Dorsal fin shape, mouth shape/features, and tail colour of a redhorse
Q. The app works out of cell range, and catches will automatically synchronize with the server once the user opens the app when back within cell range, or via a wifi signal. Photos are date, time, and location stamped to the moment that they are taken. If the catches are not synced within the tournament deadline period, they will not qualify for prizes.
R. Catches that are submitted will be reviewed for approval at least once per day during the week. Once the submissions are reviewed and approved, they appear immediately on the appropriate leaderboard(s). DO NOT EXPECT to see entries show up immediately after you log them.
S. A great resource is the MyCatch video that shows how to complete an entry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqwbAFFQE-w&list=PL1Yp9OqZ6saBgaKklT5jh6DkuTbai3NeJ&index=1

4. Tournament Location and Times
A. Tournament boundaries are within the limits of Canada. Angels can fish within fresh or saltwater.
B. The tournament runs from:
Tuesday, Feb 1st from 12:01 am to Monday, Feb 28th at 11:59 pm (EST)
C. All catches made within the start and end times must be synchronized with the Angler’s Atlas server within 12 hours of the end of the tournament.
D. At the discretion of the tournament director, tournament days may be shortened, postponed or cancelled due to unsafe weather or water conditions.

5. Awards & Prizes
A. All prize winners will be contacted directly to arrange the delivery of the prize (CFN shipping charges may apply).
B. A participant can only win one prize per category.
○ Ex. If an angler wins the longest fish in a category, they are ineligible for that category prize draw.
○ If an angler wins a category prize draw, it makes them ineligible for other category prize draws.
○ However, a participant can win the longest fish in more than one category.
○ If a participant wins more than one prize draw (either a category draw, or grand prize draw), they have the option of selecting which prize they want to keep. The prize they choose not to keep, will be raffled off to another participant.
E. Awards will be announced on or by March 8th, 2021 and anglers will be contacted directly using the contact information provided in the tournament registration process.
F. In the case of a tie for the longest fish in a category, the tie breaker will go to the person with the entry that was submitted first.
G. Tournament organizers reserve the right to adjust entries.

5. Other Rules
A. By registering and participating in the tournament, all participants agree to abide by the rules and regulations they have received as set out in the CFN Winter Fest event rules.
B. Anglers can only submit catches that they have caught themselves. This is an individual tournament, so you cannot enter as a partnership or team, and under no circumstances can you share fish with any other angler. Anglers are free to fish alone or with other tournament or non-tournament anglers, but each registered angler may only enter their own fish on their own app.
C. All fish entered for this event must be caught via angling i.e. using hook, line, rod and reel. At no time will fish caught by non-angling (i.e. use of traps, trap nets or cages) be allowed to be entered. Usage of a landing net to land a hooked fish is allowed.
D. Each participant who is required to have a fishing license must have in their possession a valid fishing license for their respective jurisdiction.
E. Each contestant must conform to the fishing rules and regulations that are in place for the jurisdiction in which they are fishing.
F. Promoters and organizers assisting in the tournament operation are not responsible for death, injury, damage, liability, theft, fire or any loss to any contestants.
G. Any angler found to be cheating will be disqualified from the tournament. Angler’s Atlas, the Canadian Fishing Network, and The CFN Fish Off also reserve the right to ban anglers from competing in future events.
H. In the event of disqualification, any paid entry fees will be forfeited and not refunded.
I. All rules have loopholes. It is our intention to provide an honest sportsmanlike tournament. In the interest of good sportsmanship, contestants are reminded the spirit of the rule will prevail in all judgments.
J. All questions or concerns relating to the rules of this tournament are to be referred to the Organizer or their designated Authorized Tournament Protest and Appeals Committee. Their decision will be final in all cases. No other person can be considered a spokesman for the rules during the tournament. The contact person for this event is Jim Clarke and can be reached at [email protected]
K. Any contestant has the right to make a protest against another contestant by contacting an Organizer through email and must be completed and presented within 1 hour of the close of the tournament. Their decision will be final in all cases. A $100.00 dollar protest fee may need to accompany the protest. The fee will be returned if the protest is found to be valid.
L. To ensure the best chances of survival for the fish, all participants are to handle fish safely. Blatant abuse to fish or the resource is reason for disqualification
M. Practice ice safety at all times! Fishing is only allowed on a minimum of at least 4 inches of ice. Only walk and fish where it is safe to do so. For ice safety information please see: https://www.lifesaving.org/public-education/water-smart-tips2/ice-safety-tips
N. Measure fish inside tents or ice shacks whenever possible, especially when temperatures dip below -10 degrees celsius.
O. Wet your boards/rulers prior to measuring fish in cold conditions to help prevent freezing the fish to the board, especially if you are using aluminum/metal boards.
P. For Ice Fishing events - ice on the eyes or in the gills, etc. are a reason for disqualification.
Q. All COVID-19 Public Health orders and Gathering Restrictions at the time of the event must be followed by all participants.
R. All photo submissions may be used by MyCatch by Angler's Atlas and the Canadian Fishing Network for future use.

7. Data Privacy and Fisheries Research
“Secret Fishing Spots Stay Secret” — This is our primary commitment to anglers who report their catches through MyCatch. So what does this mean in practice?
A. Angler’s Atlas does not release MyCatch GPS data to the public. It is treated as confidential and is provided to fisheries researchers under strict conditions.
B. Every research team we work with must sign a data sharing agreement that sets the terms of use for the data.
C. Data is anonymized before it is provided to the researcher.
D. Researchers agree not to share the data with anyone else.
E. Researchers cannot use the data for any purpose other than the research specified in the agreement.
F. Exact location data cannot be published as part of the scientific research. Instead, it has to be generalized to a larger region so the location cannot be reverse engineered. These data privacy rules are designed to protect our angler’s private data, to conserve the fisheries, and to make sure we maintain a trusting relationship with our anglers into the future. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to reach out to Angler’s Atlas President directly by email ([email protected])