Ice fishing tourneys are known for this crap up here too.
Same in Colorado. Same guy won for several years in a row, so first lie detector, then spot checks on the ice, finally consent to search vehicles on the Entry Form. Found illegal live bait in the guys trunk. But I got news for ya, the Officials and Sponsors are in on it as well. I saw an official trim a tail with scissors also. Should be illegal to use fish or game to conduct contests where prize money is awarded. Sidenote: I won a consolation prize one time for catching 0 fish.
