2024 Multi-Species Madness
Canada Wide Event

Saturday, June 29 - Monday, August 5, 2024

RULES AND REGULATIONS

Multi-Species Madness (MSM) is a fishing event based on the number of species caught and length of each species entered. The total length across 10 different species will be added up. Each species can only be used/measured once. Cash and prizes are awarded to the top 5 anglers with the longest total length across 10 different species. All participants are also eligible to win a separate MSM raffle draw regardless what place they come in (see details below). MSM participants can also enter their catches in the CFN Fish Off event which runs simultaneously during the same tournament dates above. The CFN Fish Off is a free event. Paying MSM participants need to register for both events in order to qualify for all prizes available. 

 

1. OVERVIEW

A. The Multi-Species Madness event requires a $50 entry fee to participate for a chance to win cash and other prizes. Registered anglers must fish within the boundaries of Canada any fish to qualify. Register for Multi-Species Madness by going to: https://www.anglersatlas.com/event/807/2024-multispecies-madness-2024. Certain Provinces (MB & SK) have a maximum allowable number of participants - sign up early to make sure you are eligible. 

B. There is no entry fee required to participate in CFN Fish Off and it is open to anyone fishing in Canadian waters (all provinces and territories). Additional registration is required. Register for the CFN Fish Off by going to https://www.anglersatlas.com/event/805/cfn-fish-off-2024-2024

C. All entries must be submitted using the MyCatch mobile app (available to download for any Apple and Android mobile device). When you enter a fish, your catches will automatically be submitted into both events (or any other MyCatch App event you are registered in during the same event period).

D. All fish species in-season in the region you are fishing are eligible to be entered. Make sure you abide by all the zone/regional rules and regulations (season, limits, restrictions) set by each individual province and/or body of water.

E. A minimum length of 8 inches is required for all fish entered. Fish that do not meet the minimum length requirement are not eligible.

F. Cash prizes can be won for anglers registered in Multi-Species Madness. There are also multiple prizes to be won in the CFN Fish Off for anglers of all skill levels. See list of prizes below. 

G. All catches are also eligible for our Hero Shot Facebook Prize. In order for you to be eligible for these prizes, you must:

i) Post your “Hero Shots” of you holding your fish on the Multi-Species Madness Facebook group. 1 ballot for each picture posted. **There is no limit on the number of pictures you post on Facebook (1 ballot per fish).

II) In addition, participants are also encouraged to participate in the CFN Fish Off #ShowMyShimano Draw. To earn ballots into this draw, anglers need to film a video of their official entry either by using the “release video” function on the MyCatch App or native camera phone app. Your video needs the following requirements to be eligible:

Videos must…

1. Include the angler holding or releasing the fish submitted

2. Include the angler showing a Shimano fishing product (eg. rod, reel, apparel, bag, tools, etc).

3. Include the angler saying the tournament phrase, “Show my Shimano.”

4. Be uploaded to the CFN Fish Off Facebook page (www.facebook.com/groups/cfnfishoff) using the hashtags:

1. #ShowMyShimano

2. #CFNfishoff2024

**Videos not uploaded to the CFN Fish Off Facebook page are not eligible for the draw even if they are taken using the MyCatch App.

**There is no limit on the number of pictures or videos you post (1 ballot per fish).

**You can post the same fish to both pages provided that one is a photo (MSM group) and the other is a video (CFN Fish Off group).

H. Catches must be submitted through the MyCatch app for judging anytime during the tournament period (June 29, 2024 to August 5, 2024).

I. Make sure to register for both events to be eligible for all prizes. Sign up by going to www.anglersatlas.com/events. 

J. In order to participate, all anglers need an Angler’s Atlas account. Sign up for your free account at www.anglersatlas.com/sign-up. 

 

2. GETTING STARTED

A. Join the following Facebook groups/pages for up-to-date tournament information, updates, and live prize draws:
CFN Fish Off - Group

Multi-Species Madness - Group
Multi-Species Madness - Page

B. Create an account at www.anglersatlas.com/sign-up.

C. Register for both events by going to www.anglersatlas.com/events and register for:
i) Multi-Species Madness ($50 entry fee for cash and additional prizes)

ii) CFN Fish Off (no entry fee, various prize packs to be won).

D. Individual registration is required. Child participants without their own mobile device can participate by having their parent: 

i) Create an Angler’s Atlas account for their child (email address required).
ii) Submit child entries using their child’s own account and login credentials (there is a switch account feature when sharing the same mobile device).

E. In order for catches to be properly entered, make sure to use the same login email and password for both the Angler’s Atlas website and the MyCatch app.

F. You will receive an automatic email confirming that you have entered each tournament.

G. Once accepted into the tournament, download (or update) 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. Make sure to use the same login email and password that you used to register in the tournament. (https://www.anglersatlas.com/mycatch)

H. By participating in this event your name may be publicly visible. Protecting anglers’ privacy is a priority. 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.

 

3. AWARDS & PRIZES

A. Proceeds from the tournament will be distributed as prizes according to the prize breakdown below. Prize amounts are based on a full field of 100 paid anglers. If the tournament doesn’t fill, the payout percentages for each paid position will be calculated according to the chart below.

 

Longest total combined length across any 10 different species wins! (top 5 win cash)

 

B. Prize amounts above are based on a full field of 100 paid anglers.

C. Awards will be announced on or by August 13, 2024 and anglers will be contacted directly using the contact information provided in the tournament registration process.

D. Anglers have up to 60 days to claim their prize. Anglers that do not claim their prize within this period forfeit their prize.

E. Below are additional prizes that can be won by paying MSM participants:

i) Footlong Shimano Draw - Every fish entered over 12 inches = 1 ballot. Only 1 ballot per species. Ex. a 22” Smallmouth Bass only = 1 ballot. However, a 12” Yellow Perch, a 24” Channel Catfish, and a 30” Northern Pike = 3 ballots into the footlong draw. A maximum of 10 species can be entered in the footlong draw. The winner of the draw will win a Shimano Miravel reel. 

ii) Facebook Shimano Draw - For every “Hero Shot” picture you post on the Multi-Species Madness Facebook group, you will receive 1 ballot into the Facebook Shimano draw. There is no limit on the number of pictures an angler can submit (1 ballot per fish). The winner of the draw will win a Shimano Sedona reel.

F. CFN Fish Off prizes - There is a whole list of other amazing prizes to be won within the free CFN Fish Off event. Your MSM entries will automatically be entered in the CFN Fish Off provided that you have registered for both events. See CFN Fish Off prizes by going to: https://www.anglersatlas.com/event/805/cfn-fish-off-2024-2024

4. CATCH REPORTING RULES

A. We encourage all anglers to practice safe and ethical catch and release methods. All provincial angling and local regulations must also be followed. Only in-season, unrestricted species are eligible for entry.

B. All fish entries need to be measured and submitted using a commercially available ‘bump board’ that clearly shows the length of the fish. NO tape measures will be accepted. 

C. In order for each catch to qualify, a photograph of the fish on a measuring board must be taken using the MyCatch app (ie. photos cannot be uploaded from a photo gallery or other source). 

D. Fish must be placed on top of the measuring board with the RIGHT SIDE DOWN and the left side facing upwards. Catfish species may be measured on their right side OR on their belly. The right side down rule is in place to prevent the same fish from being entered twice (once on each side). If a fish is measured left side down, the judging team may accept the entry if a release video clearly shows the fish was returned in the water. 

E. 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.

F. The nose of the fish must be aligned with the start of the measuring board and be clearly touching the ‘bump’, with both the nose and the tail clearly visible in the photograph. The photo must be taken from a birds-eye view looking down on the fish (not on an angle). Your measurement photo will automatically be sent to our MyCatch judging team to be verified. The total length is recorded where the longest length of the tail crosses the measurements on the measuring device.

G. After verification, each species entered will be added to your total length and included into the appropriate prize draw(s) if applicable. 

H. If the fish you entered is a species that you have already submitted, it will not be added to your total length unless it is longer than your previously entered catch within that species. 

I. All contestants must have GPS/location services enabled on your cell phone for their catches to qualify. Your location data will be protected. For more information, see details below.

J. The length measurement is taken at the longest tip of the tail, NOT the fork length. If a fish is shorter than the start of the measurement marking, the last measurement crossed will be recorded. 

K. A photo that does not clearly show the overall length of the fish, including head and tail, on the ruler may not be scored for length. More than one attempt to get a valid measurement photo is allowed. The app will prompt you to either accept or retake the photo.

L. All catches will be approved to the last physical line on a measuring device. If it extends past a mark but there are no physical lines to confirm the true length, the last visible mark it crosses will be used. 

M.There are to be no fingers placed in the gills or mouth of the fish within the measurement photo. Any fingers in the gills or mouth of the fish within the measurement photo will disqualify that fish. 

N. 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 color of a redhorse

 

O. A second photo prompt will come up called the Hero Shot - consisting of the angler holding the fish within the same photo. Hero Shots are encouraged but OPTIONAL for this event. However, uploading your Hero Shots to the Multi-Species Madness Facebook group qualifies you for an additional draw. There is no limit on the number of ballots you can earn. 1 fish posted = 1 ballot.

P. Hero shots and Release Videos may be used to highlight and/or promote the event. These pictures and videos will be collected and potentially displayed on CFN, and Angler’s Atlas social media pages and websites. We encourage all Hero Shots and Release Videos to be taken and posted on the Multi-Species Madness Facebook group.
**In addition to earning ballots for 2 separate draws, let’s build community and show off our catches!

 

Q. The app works out of cell range, and catches will synchronize with the server once the user opens the app when back in 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 before the tournament deadline, they will not qualify for prizes. If you submit a fish without any or strong enough service, the app will tell you that the fish has been recorded, and that it will sync up to the server once you return to service. Every fish you log (whether in good service or not) will appear in your app’s Log View (2nd icon from the left at the bottom). If you have fish “awaiting sync,” it will indicate this here. The submissions will eventually come through on their own once you return to service, but you can help speed up the process by “manually syncing” those pending logs (see how here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU-AwLc8OLY) once you’re in service. The logs are time/date/location stamped to the moment that they were taken, so even if the submission is delayed, the time on that submission will still be accurate.

R. Our team will do our best to review all entries within 24 hours (longer depending on extenuating circumstances). DO NOT EXPECT to see entries verified immediately after you log them. With thousands of submissions, it will take our team some time to review all entries. Once submissions are approved, they will be immediately visible on the appropriate leaderboards. 

S. Tournament organizers reserve the right to adjust and reject any entries.

T. A great resource is the MyCatch “how to log an entry” that shows how to enter a fish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fS65wMakQHA 

 

5. TOURNAMENT TIMES AND LOCATIONS

A. Multi-Species Madness event boundaries are any water body within the country of Canada. Anglers are allowed to fish any province or territory regardless of their home province. 

B. The tournament runs from:

Saturday, June 29, 2024 starting at 12:00:01 am ET to Monday, August 5, 2024 at 11:59:59 pm ET.

C. All catches made within the start and end times must be synchronized with the Angler’s Atlas server within 12 hours after the event concludes to qualify. For example, if you are fishing in a remote area without cell/data coverage on the last day of the event, you have until noon the following day to return to a location with wifi coverage to sync your entries.

D. At the discretion of the tournament director, tournament days may be shortened, postponed or canceled due to unsafe weather or water conditions.

 

6. ADDITIONAL PRIZE DETAILS

A. All prize winners will be contacted directly to arrange the delivery (shipping charges may apply).

B. A participant can only win one raffle draw. If an angler's name is drawn for more than one prize, he/she will be able to select the one prize of their choice. The remaining prize will be given to the runner up or redrawn.

C. Non-raffle prizes can be won by the same deserving angler. Example: Total length Prize and Total fish prize.

D. Awards will be announced within 10 days after the conclusion of the tournament.
Anglers will be contacted directly using the contact information provided in the tournament registration process. 

E. Winners will be announced and drawn live on Facebook during our weekly CFN Tourney Tuesday broadcasts. Join us every Tuesday at 7:30 pm ET during the tournament period on the CFN Fish Off Facebook and/or Multi-Species Madness page. 

F. Tournament organizers reserve the right to adjust or reject any entries.

 

 

7.  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 Multi-Species Madness Tournament 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 enter fish caught by 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 device.

C. All fish entered for this event must be caught via angling i.e. using hook and line. At no time will fish caught by non-angling (i.e. use of traps, trap nets or cages) be allowed to be entered. The use of a landing net to land a hooked fish is allowed.

D. Each contestant must have in their possession a valid fishing license for their respective jurisdiction or be exempt under regulations of their 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. Anglers can fish from shore and are also permitted to use any type of motorized or non-motorized watercraft for the tournament where it is legal to do so.

G. Promoters and organizers assisting in the tournament operation are not responsible for death, injury, damage, liability, theft, fire or any loss to any contestants.

H. Any angler found to be cheating will be disqualified from the tournament. Angler’s Atlas also reserves the right to ban anglers from competing in future events.

I. In the event of disqualification, any paid entry fees will be forfeited and not refunded.

J. All rules have loopholes. It is our intention to provide an honest sportsmanlike tournament. In the interest of good sportsmanship, contestants are reminded that the spirit of the rule will prevail in all judgments.

K. 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: Michael Consul and can be reached by email at [email protected].

L. Any contestant has the right to make a protest against another contestant by contacting an Organizer or an Authorized Tournament Protest and Appeals Committee through email. All protests 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 be needed to accompany any official protest. The fee will be returned if the protest is found to be valid.

M. An infraction witnessed by a competitor can be reported to the Organizer or the Authorized Tournament Protest and Appeal Committee. In the event that an infraction is reported or a protest is entered, the Organizer or the Committee, appointed prior to the tournament; may convene.

N. 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.

O. All participants must follow boating safety regulations in your jurisdiction.

P. Wet boards/rulers prior to measuring fish in cold conditions to help protect the fish’s slime coat. 

Q. If you are fishing in sub-zero temperatures, measure fish inside tents or ice shacks whenever possible, especially when temperatures dip below -10 degrees celsius.

R. All Covid-19 Public Health orders and gathering restrictions at the time of the event must be followed by all participants.

S. All photo and video submissions may be used by MyCatch by Angler's Atlas for future use. All photo submissions may be used by MyCatch by Angler's Atlas and the Canadian Fishing Network for future use.

 

8. 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. 

G. Angler’s Atlas may release data to a law enforcement agency if compelled to do so under court order.

 

**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]).