Fishing Forum

Hello all,

As I have been ice fishing recently, the thought has come to my mind... What is considered ice fishing etiquette? What is too close to drill a hole next to a person already fishing? How close before a person should ask permission and when is it not necessary? How do you feel about fishing a person's productive spot once they have left?

Just wanted to see people's opinions on this, and by all means, add any other questions concerning the subject! [fishin]
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I guess it depends on the situation. Definitly not where if your fighting a good fish that your lines could tangle, also depending on how the people are acting whether your moving in or they are. You should still be able to carry on a conversation with your own group, and not be offended by their conversation and hopfully they will talk with you.
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I have wondered these same things as my son and I venture out onto the ice.

When we are preparing to find a place to drill, I will look around at the rest of the lake and use the others to guage how close we should be to our neighbors. If the lake is not crowded we try to be respectful and keep our distance. This may not be the best way to find the fish but we still manage to catch a few and my son learns the value of be courteous to others.

I have no problems using recently abandoned holes. We use a hand auger that requires a fair amount of work to clear a hole, especially if the ice is thick, so I am happy to use someone else's leftovers. Of course we make sure the previous occupants have actually cleared the area.

All things considered, we have found everyone here to be very kind and helpful. The transition from overcrowded Florida to the great expanses of Idaho has been delightfully easy.
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Is it ok to relieve ones self on the ice if there is no women around?
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This is actually a pretty difficult subject. This is kind of how I gauge my personal space. The further I get from the truck, main launching point, boat ramp etc...the more personal space I want. If I spend the time to walk for thirty minutes to get away from the main group of fishermen then that is a sign that I am seeking solitude. If I drill my holes in the close popular areas than I just expect to be encroached on and I expect a more social setting.

If in doubt ask. Idaho personal boundaries are a lot different than Utah's version of personal space.[cool]

Besides the social aspect I can not think of a lake where fishing in the crowd is better than a more distant isolated spot.

That being said if I see someone who is obviously new or has children and they are not succesful I invite them to use my good holes and try to show them what I am using. I would hope we would all help each other out to be successful.

Windriver
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Most of the people I've encountered on the ice have been very friendly and courteous. I've had a couple of problems before with language, I like to take my young nephew when I can and there has been a couple of times where people started fishing near us and using some very colorful language. Its a free country, but keep in mind that sound seems to carry very well on the ice and in the cold still air. Not a big deal but the other weekend some people drilled holes maybe a hundred yards upwind from us and started smoking cigars, it kinda ruined the whole idea of getting outdoors to enjoy the fresh air. Other than those couple of things I would say that us Ice Fisherman are a very polite group. I know that on several occasions people with hand augers have asked me if I would mind drilling some holes for them with my power auger. And I've seen this repeated several times. I think a guy could ice fish without ever buying an auger if he wanted.[angelic]
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Last year, I didn't have an auger just a metal pry bar. I would look for old holes that had just iced over, preferably with some blood on the ice next to it and just break through the newly formed ice. I didn't have great sucess fishing, but I attribute that to being a rookie of ice fishing. This year I am doing much better and I have my own auger!
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I have considered asking nearby fishermen, who have power augers, about drilling holes for us. I must admit tho that it is a matter of pride that prevents me from doing so. However, once the ice gets really thick, I may have to swallow that pride and seek assistance.
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This is a great post. I feel that how close one can/should fish next to another person not in their group depends on the amount of people on the lake. For example, if you are fishing Staley's at Henry's lake the last week of November, you are going to have people all around you, simply because its a popular place at a popular time. Obviously make sure you keep your distance the best you can, but quarters are going to be tight. Another example would be that you and another person not in your group are the only ones on the lake. In this situation, I would suggest that you don't fish within at least fifty yards of the other guy.

A couple tips that I promise will catch you more fish are:

1) When there is a big group of people in a certain location does not mean that they are catching a bunch in that particular area. As a general rule, especially in these smaller/shallower reservoirs that we have is that you should avoid the crowds.

2) I always try and avoid areas where there are holes already drilled. I've found if I can find ice that is "holeless" for 25 square yards than I typically catch more fish than if I'm fishing areas where there are a lot of people.

3) If you are not catching fish, move to a different spot and keep moving until you do catch some.

4) Don't get stuck in always fishing the same area on the lake. Try exploring, you'll be amazed at how many fish you will catch when you try different areas.

I've spent countless hours on the ice learning these things through trial and error. Hopefully this helps and good luck.

Brady
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As for proximity, it depends on a lot of things. Right now at Ririe with the ice "singing" and it still having open water I am very nervous and prefer to be in fairly close to another group if I am by myself so someone can help if need be. However I usually ask if it's ok before setting up regardless if I'm under 25 yards or so. Anything beyond that I figure it's fair game and just try to maintain my manners so as not to offend. If I was there first and someone sets up close I have no issues with it, however I'm not above calling them on it if their behaviour is out of line.

As for fishing someone's productive spot once they've left I see it as free game once they are out of site. However if they are obviously leaving and I don't want to waste time so I just move right in I will ask if they mind me "poaching" their old holes first. If they object I will respect it until they area out of site at least.

As to the question of relieving selves on the ice I will only do that if it's only the party I'm in on the ice and there is not an outhouse close by (100 yds).
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I personally wouldn't want to move any closer than someone could hear me talking in a raised voice unless I talked to them first to ask them if they mind. (Derbies would be the exception). I don't mind when someone else does this, but I do mind if they just move in and take over. I think every situation might be different. Honestly, it is rare that someone beats me out on the ice, so I don't usually have to ask, but I also wouldn't normally have a problem if someone else came in and fished nearby as long as they are not too annoying, in too large of a group, or try to take over.

As for relieving yourself on the ice, as long as others can't see your tool, I personally don't have a problem with it. Now if you butt is hanging out, I think you should move out of sight. I'm pretty sure no one wants to see my ugly, hairy, butt. And I don't want to see theirs either.

I just try and treat others the way I'd want to be treated. If all else doesn't work, I strap on my revolver. Most people won't argue with someone wearing a revolver.....
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[quote iwantabuggy
As for relieving yourself on the ice, as long as others can't see your tool, I personally don't have a problem with it. Now if you butt is hanging out, I think you should move out of sight. I'm pretty sure no one wants to see my ugly, hairy, butt. And I don't want to see theirs either.

Not to worry about anyone seeing the "tool"...way too cold for that [laugh]...lucky to find it.
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True......
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