How close is too close?

[Vtperchchaser]

How close is too close to set up your tip ups next to someone else all ready set up? I typically try to give everyone a solid 40-60 yards even when it’s like a city. Idk how others feel about being set up then you see someone come right up drill close by, 15-20 yards, and set up when there’s plenty space to set up further away. Public waters but what’s the unspoken code of ethics?

[Yukon Cornelius]

Unless permission has been requested and granted, 25 yards. Penalties for violation can be swift and stiff.

[Raven71]

Some people just have no fishing etiquette. I get so annoyed when someone sets up right on top of me.  I know, I don't own the ice, but... I'm usually one of the first people out on the ice before daylight to get my spot and set up. It never fails though, some people will come rolling on out about 9-10:00 and set up right beside me. Mob mentality I guess.
I personally try not to set up tip-ups within 50 yards of someone else's tip ups. If someone sets up close to me they're taking a chance. If their tip up line gets wrapped up in mine when the fish runs, I'm cutting their line.  I've had that happen a couple times. People learn pretty quickly when that happens.

[maddogg]

So if I put my tip ups out 100 yards  from my tent that aught to keep everyone away at least 150 yards?

[sploke]

For me it really depends on the water body.  If I'm out down here in CT and we have just a few dozen acres of safe ice that everyone's trying to take advantage of, I'm a little more forgiving of people setting up closer.


On the other hand, if I'm out on Moosehead and the whole damn lake is locked up and safe, I see no reason to have anyone within 100 yards or more.  Plenty of real estate to spread out.


I was pleasantly surprised a few weeks ago out fishing down here, everyone knew safe ice was at a premium and things were going to be busy.  I had a group walk by looking for a spot and they stopped and asked me if I was going to be moving around and in what direction so they could set up a reasonable distance away.  It was a super respectful thing to do, and it took a lot of the edge off of having them set up only 20-30 yds away.

[Yukon Cornelius]

Sploke is so right.  Simply having a conversation and asking is just the polite, right thing to do. And more often than not, if you have a polite conversation with someone before you just start drilling, they'll be ok with it. Might even make a few new friends that day out on the ice. But it's just rude to come up and start drilling 15 feet away from someone's tip up.

[Vtperchchaser]

I knew this would def spark some good conversations. Typically I wouldnt really care but they way it happened we were basically cut off from the way the fish roam through the area. crap happens. Usually I’d someone wants to fish some what close they’ll approach and say hey which way are you guys fishing and is it ok to set up in this area.  Def little effort and Common courtesy goes a long way. Cheers thanks for all the great thoughts on the topic

[PyroZuki]

It's a tough call for me. Generally, I keep the same buffer zone that I would want everyone else to keep. This all depends on the spot, too. If Im on the inside of a river bend and there's one channel that runs through and I need to get closer to someone than I would prefer, I'll just ask how they feel about it, before I start drillin. So far, most everyone I've had to talk to either didn't mind at all, or just told my to move all my gear over and drink beer with them.
40-50 yards is my go to buffer zone.

Pyro

[gogetthegaff]

I think one way of looking at it is no closer than you would like someone setting up next to you. For me, that's 50-100 yards. But I agree it depends on the waterbody. If you've got a feeling in the pit of your stomach that the fellow angler could get pissed, you're probably too close. In that case I'd speak with him/her before drilling any holes to check their temperature. Common courtesy.

[Alien Legs]

This is a poor ice year. Expect people to be close by. Most people do this for safety.

[fishingidjit]

This is a poor ice year. Expect people to be close by. Most people do this for safety.
[/quote

There is ice and if your afraid of falling in stay off of it . If you get to close to some folks they are likely to drill a hole and stuff you init ,that wouldn't be too  safe .A minimum of 40-50 yards or stay home.

[Alien Legs]

This is a poor ice year. Expect people to be close by. Most people do this for safety.
[/quote

There is ice and if your afraid of falling in stay off of it . If you get to close to some folks they are likely to drill a hole and stuff you init ,that wouldn't be too  safe .A minimum of 40-50 yards or stay home.

Talk is cheap tough guy.

[vt-jig]

I often move around a good bit, so I won't set up within 100 yards of someone else if I can get away with it, lake size depending.   Probly to my own detriment, I'll set up well off the X, if it means having some room. 

[ISLAND STORM]

I often move around a good bit, so I won't set up within 100 yards of someone else if I can get away with it, lake size depending.   Probly to my own detriment, I'll set up well off the X, if it means having some room.

Completely agree with that!!!

[Skorpion]

Agreed, I’m usually out there for the solitude so I assume others are as well and I’ll just take it as a chance to try out a new spot, or a new lake if it is really crowded…

[Fish Wayniac]

What’s written on this guys coat sums it up .

[woodyvt]

If one has to use an atv or a snow machine to drive through my spread to get to a tip up………you are too close

[gogetthegaff]

If one has to use an atv or a snow machine to drive through my spread to get to a tip up………you are too close

Good point!  I've had to happen. I'm a firm believer that being stealthy makes a difference. Especially if you're after trout. If someone is all set up before you hit the ice, folks should keep that in mind. Chances are they don't want a bunch of holes being drilled next to their set. Again... common courtesy.