I'm on the fence. Would it be nice to fish wherever you want after February, yes. On the other hand, lakes with popular species get creamed all season. The other night there were so many tipups in the lake I don't think a fish could move without seeing a bait. It's not a coincidence that fishing in those lakes is great after no ice for two years, so cutting it off makes sense too. Even is the reason is stocking trout.