catfish through the ice

Question fellas. I have been getting a fair number of nice cats through the ice on a nearby lake (accidentally) while fishing with large shiners on tip-ups for pike and bass. Now that the season is closing, I am wondering if targeting them in this way would be acceptable to the DNR? I have no intention on violating and/or paying a fine, but have been having a blast with them. They fight harder than any pike or bass and taste delicious from the cold water. I am assuming that a dead bait presentation may be in order, to qualify this as targeting catfish. Any suggestions?

we target catfish all winter

we target catfish all winter