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What’s the maine unwritten rules about fishing near permanent ice shacks?I specifically mean if you show up and they are in occupied. They generally sit on the bet spots, especially in warm water lakes and ponds, right over the honey holes.Mia it okay to set traps near them? How about around them?I’ve always avoided them or stayed to one side, but I’ve been tempted to sit right next to one and fish in all directions.
Oops, original post should have read “if they are unoccupied.”I am way too insecure to get within 50 yards of someone else’s set up.Besides, I got enough kids already trying sit in my lap so I can put their mittens back on.
Really, let me know where your fishing and I'll come sit in your lap, about one of the most ignorant statements I've seen.
First come, first served…if you can’t get out of bed in time to get your spot, that’s your own fault…
This topic comes up every year, and the issue is one of the reasons I rarely ice fish anymore, especially for game fish.The whole shack thing gets in my craw. As far as I'm concerned, a structure on the ice doesn't give anyone more rights to a spot than relieving themselves and leaving a yellow stain. That said, I won't be fishing anywhere near their precious monument. People are just too darn territorial, with game fish bringing out the absolute worst in people. I have stories aplenty, but one on a Central Maine lake stands out. I arrived at the lake and found 2 guys fishing out of a shack in the general area I wanted to fish. Before I cut a single hole, I talked with both of them about where I planned to fish and they were totally fine with it. 2 hours later, after I'd caught 5 togue, they were flagless and had a change of heart. One guy came steaming over and blew up about "allowing" me to fish so close. Really....I asked first. I'm not sure how it de-escalated, but honestly I wouldn't have cared if they had thumped me. I love the Wizard of Oz.....how about a little fire scarecrow. A matter of self defense at that point.Another time, a buddy and I drilled a few holes to jig for a few warm water fish. We were a good 150 feet from an active shack Out they came...."a little to close, aren't we?" This time, my buddy got wound up. I paced off some spots, a bit further out and got their "approval". I told my buddy the best way to handle these guys was to fish circles around them, which we did. We added a "look at this hawg" shout to each sizable fish iced.Another line of carp floating around is that people on foot follow the shacks around for spots. Not in my experience. I recall one time on thin,early ice when someone at a camp had the binocs trained on me. I guess they couldn't deal with walking and sitting on a bucket, but sure as heck they dragged a shack right out as soon as the ice thickened.On another outing, the owners of a distant shack got bored and decided to do donuts with their 4-wheeler in the corn ice all around me. The driver was either stupid or a wise guy or both. He asks "how's the fishing?" I just say "it's loud". A few tense moments followed, but it tailed off. I rubbed a few nice fish in their faces later.I'll leave the sea stories there. Most folks who know me think I'm a decent guy. I avoid confrontation. I'm not real big and I'm long in the tooth, but have been known to bite and my most recent rabies test was inconclusive. Hardwater can lead to hard time, and those sleep overs of yesteryear with the police aren't high on my list. End it with....no ill will, tight lines and I hope you enjoy your ice time.
A shack certainly does not claim any area around it, if it is occupied I treat it like I treat anyone else on the ice with respect and keep a good distance from it, as I would expect the same in return "doesnt always happen". If the shack is Not occupied I have no problem fishing close to it if I am marking fish, if the owner comes to their shack then they can fish in it but as far as I am concerned I was on the ice fishing before they got there and they should show me the same level of respect that I would show them if they beat me out there and were actively setup and fishing. Of course I would never drill a hole right outside the door or on top of the shack, common sense and good fishing etiquette should prevail.An example to me of stupidity..... A few years back me and a couple of friends walked out about 4:00am in the dark on Sebago to fish the tournament. Someone had a portable hut up so we setup our area a very good distance from the hut which appeared to be empty. we drilled some holes around us in our area and setup. Shortly after sunrise the guys come out on the their sleds, what I did not know is someone drilled holes not far from where I was setup but they were just holes, no traps or any indication of someone fishing.... one of the guys came flying over to me yelling how close I was to his unused holes.... That to me is plain stupidity.... Also he did not win the argument and it almost turned into a full on fight, lucky for him that he decided to back off.... Again to me it is all common sense... tight lines everyone!!! enjoy this sport we all love!!
While I won't pretend to know ALL the rules and laws of any state...including my own...I'm gonna guess on this one: Any hole, old or new, open or closed, etc. that is "unoccupied" (meaning no tipup, Jawjacker, rod and reel or any other fishing device) is fair game. Period.
🤣🤣 pretty sure that last incident had me involved which was many years ago. Pretty sure we contemplated calling the wardens lol.
Yes, Nick, you were there You recall that time, other people recall other times, and some remind of times I've forgotten. I guess I have bad luck
Pretty sad thread.I like to treat others as I’d like to be treated by them, on the ice I like plenty of space. I don’t expect “my spot” to be open, if it is great, if not I’ll try another, karma.If you have to ask, you’re too close.
Lol I had honestly forgot all about that time until you retold that story.