I live in Northern Alberta and the lakes are all closed for spawning season. Only allowed to fish private or Gov't stocked Trout lakes. My pond is newly constructed and am awaiting snow thaw to fill it. It's -10 celcius today with new snow falling, ice thickness on lakes is still over two feet and won't clear up until around the end of May. If that doesn't blow your oars outta the water then consider this.... LMB & SMB, don't got em, can't have em, won't survive. And my wife wonders why I'm cranky!