The following rules shall apply to the 2026 NEW BRUNSWICK ICE FISHING OPEN presented by St.Croix rods (hereinafter the “Event”), scheduled for 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday, February 21st, 2026.

Section 1: Rules and Regulations.

The rules and regulations set forth herein are the Official Rules (“Rules”) of the Event.

1.1 Participants shall be subject to all applicable to any local, provincial, and federal laws.

1.2 These rules may be changed by the Event or its designated Event Director, at any time with or without notice to the participants. Interpretation and enforcement of these rules will be left exclusively to the Event Director.  In the event of a discrepancy between the printed version and any digital version of the Rules, the Rules posted on the official website (icefishnb.com) at the time of the Event shall prevail.

1.3 By registering for the Event, and participating in the event, all participants acknowledge and agree that they have reviewed, understood, and will abide by the Rules as posted on our official website. Participants willingly agree to comply with the Rules for participation in the Event.

1.4 The minimum age to participate in the regular competition is 14.

1.5 The maximum age to participate in the Youth Division is 13.

Section 2: Event Participation, Eligibility, and Measurement

2.1 The contest is scheduled for 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. local standard time February 21, 2026.

2.2 Entry fee for the regular competition is $50.00 before Dec. 31st, $60.00 before Feb. 15th. There are no refunds for any cancellations after February 15th, 2026. 

2.3 Entry fee for the Youth Division competition is $25.00. There are no refunds for any cancellations after February 15th, 2026.

2.4 Eligible species for the tournament are Chain Pickerel, Yellow Perch, Fall Fish, and Sunfish.

2.5 All fish must be caught through the ice on Indian Lake within the designated fishing area indicated on the official lake map found on www.icefishnb.com.

2.6 All photos must be submitted via text message to the number provided the morning of the event. Photos must include the provided unique ID card and measurements must be on the official Event tape measure (both provided at check-in)  to 1/4 inch measurements with the mouth of the fish closed. Failure to comply will result in the disqualification of the entry.  Additional measurement rules are as follows:

Fish should be recorded immediately, and measurements noted by length in inches.

All submissions must include at least two photographs:

1) A pic of registered contestant holding the fish

2) A pic of the fish on the supplied official measuring tape with the unique ID card in the frame

Close the fish’s mouth and ensure that the belly is facing you. The measurement photo needs to include the entire fish on the measuring tape with the nose of the fish on the zero mark facing left.

• If the tail touches the graduation line, that is the exact measurement.  If the tail crosses the line, then round up 1/4″.

• Tape measure should be on the ground and laid flat

2.7 We guarantee to verify all registered fish. It is ultimately your responsibility to make sure your fish was entered, with media, correctly. The judges are not responsible for correcting errors in uploading fish. For example but not as a limitation, if you enter a 23” Chain Pickerel as 2.3”, you should contact the tournament director to correct the measurement.

2.8 Each contestant may register as many fish as the contestant wants, but only the longest measured fish (as defined in rule 3.4) per contestant will be entered to qualify for a contest prize.

2.8 All fish entered into the contest must be caught during contest hours.  All fish entered into the contest must be submitted via text message. Dead or frozen fish are not eligible. Judges shall have the right to verify all fish are legally caught. The decision of the judge is final. In the event deception is detected his/her prize will be forfeited. 

2.9 Only fish personally caught by the contestant are eligible to be entered in the contest by that contestant.  Fish caught by one individual and given to another person are not eligible.  Any contestant who enters a fish caught by another individual will be immediately disqualified.

2.10 Heaters, chairs, bait pails, depth finders, live sonar and underwater cameras are allowed.

2.11 All fish registrations must be uploaded by 3:15pm on the day of the Event. All fish must be photographed between 8:00am and 3:00pm. No fish registrations that finish uploading after 3:15pm will be eligible to win a prize. If you catch a fish outside of an area with internet service, you must return to an area that has reception to complete uploading your fish before 3:15pm.

2.12 Any Participant attempting to manipulate the outcome of the Event will be disqualified and may be subject to prosecution.

2.13 Contest results remain unofficial until verified by the head judge. Unofficial results will be posted on our website at www.icefishnb.com following the event. Official results will only be posted at www.icefishnb.com and are only official when listed as “Final Results” on the website. 

2.14 No live minnows may be used during the event. Only one rod per contestant at a time is permitted. No tip-ups or jawjackers are allowed.

2.15 The use of motorized vehicles is not permitted during the event.

2.16 Chumming through the ice holes is not permitted.

2.17 The designated body of water for the competition will be off limits to all registered contestants the week prior to the event starting Monday, Feb. 16th. Any registered contestants found on the designated body of water during this off-limits timeframe will be disqualified from the event.

SECTION 3: Prizes and Awards

3.1 Regular Competition: There are two categories of winners: Prizes and Big Fish Awards.

3.2 “Prizes” are the product prizes listed at www.icefishnb.com subject to change.

3.3 Prizes will be awarded as follows: Each registered participant is entered into the prize draws. Prizing will be drawn at the Award Ceremony at 5pm following the event. Refer to www.icefishnb.com for Award ceremony details. Participants must be present in person at the Award Ceremony to claim any prize. Should the drawn winner not be present to claim the prize, another winner will be drawn at that time or until a winner who is present claims that prize.

3.4 Regular Competition Only: “Overall Winners” are given to the top 3 finishers whose overall length of 4 total fish species including Chain Pickerel, Yellow Perch, Fall Fish and Sunfish.

3.5 “Big Fish Awards” are given to the top length fish of each species of Chain Pickerel, Yellow Perch, Fall Fish and Sunfish.

3.6 Regular Competition Only: “Big Pickle Power Hour” are given to the top length Chain Pickerel for each hour of the event. 7 total hours = 7 total winners. Once a catch is submitted for any given hour, it may not be re-submitted again.

3.7 TIEBREAKER: In the event 2 fish of the same length are caught, the earlier-submitted fish will place above the later-submitted fish on the leaderboard.

3.8 All “Cash” prizes will be paid via E-transfer within 48 hours following the event.

3.9 The maximum diameter of any fishing hole is 11”. No site holes are permitted.

Section 4: Interpretation and Discipline

4.1 Participants agree to abide by the Rules and any decisions of the Event Director and/or Event Staff.

4.2 Interpretation and enforcement of the Rules shall be left to the sole and exclusive discretion of the Event Director and/or his/her designee at the Event.  In the event a Participant violates any rule set forth in the Rules, as determined in the discretion of the Event Director, the Event Director may impose a penalty and/or sanction on the Participant (including but not limited to disqualification from the Event and future events and/or forfeiture of Event winnings and/or prizes).

4.3 Each Participant agrees to report to the Event Director immediately any violation or infraction of the Rules.

Section 5: Safety

5.1 Contestants are responsible for their own safety, and actions at all times.

5.2 Participants understand and are aware that the weather in the ice belt can be severe.  Participants are responsible for their own wellbeing, monitoring the weather and ice conditions.

5.3 Participants are aware they are participating in a physical activity in the sport of fishing on ice, which may be dangerous and can cause injury, especially if the participant is consuming alcoholic beverages.  Participants understand and acknowledge the consumption of alcohol impairs a person’s ability to walk on all surfaces, including those that are especially slippery, like ice. Consuming alcohol and walking on ice subjects the participant to certain risks including, but not limited to, death, serious neck and spinal injuries resulting in complete or partial paralysis, brain damage, and/or serious injury to virtually all bones, joints, muscles and internal organs, and property damage. Although particular Rules, equipment, and personal discipline may reduce the risks associated with participating in the Event, the risk of serious injury does exist and cannot be completely eliminated.

Section 6: Protests and Disputes

7.1 All protests or disputes relating to any matter involving the Rules and/or the Event must be registered in writing via email with the Event Director (icefishnb@gmail.com) no later than 3:30 p.m. the day of the Event. Protests made after the deadline will be disregarded.  This section does not apply to reporting suspected cheating.

7.2 Any protest filed by a Participant shall be heard by the Event Director or a delegate of the Event Director.  After reviewing the protest submitted, the Event Director shall inform the protesting Participant of the Event Director’s decision. The Event Director’s decision is final and not subject to further appeal.

7.3 The interpretation and enforcement of the Rules will be the sole responsibility of the Event Director.

Section 8: Miscellaneous

8.1 The Rules shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Canada, the Province of New Brunswick  in all respects, including matters of construction, interpretation, validity, and enforcement.

8.2 The favourable public reputation of Ice Fish NB and the Event, the integrity of its members, officers, and directors, and the reputation of its media properties are valuable assets and tangible benefits for Ice Fish NB.  Accordingly, all participants agree to refrain from comments to the news media that unreasonably attack or disparage the integrity of tournaments, tournament officials, sponsors, fellow members, fellow anglers or Ice Fish NB.  Competitors are encouraged to express themselves and have the right to question the application of the Rules and are obligated to report suspected violations of the Rules.  Responsible expressions of legitimate disagreement with Ice Fish NB policies are not prohibited, but attacks upon the integrity of the Rules or Event Staff or Ice Fish NB will harm the reputation of the Event, and Event Staff, may result in legal action.

8.3 Event officials reserve the right to refuse participation to anyone or disqualify any fish in their sole discretion.

8.4 All contestants and other spectators hereby consent to the use of any names, photographs or likenesses of themselves to be used in the promotion of our event, including but not limited to print, radio, television or any other media.

8.5 Ice Fish NB thanks you for supporting our efforts to protect the environment and request that you remove garbage—including cigarette butts— from the ice when you leave.

8.6 Failure to comply with any tournament rules subjects contestants to disqualification and removal from the tournament as determined by tournament officials. Tournament officials reserve the right to refuse sale and/or revoke a tournament entry to anyone.

8.7 Fish must be caught using a fishing hook and line, or equivalent, and returned to the water.

8.8 No Spear Fishing or netting will be allowed.

8.9 The event officials have final say in the determination of the length of a fish. If the uploaded photo is not clear, the officials will use their best judgment to determine the length.