IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
Montana => Ice Fishing Montana => Topic started by: sunnyslope on Dec 16, 2014, 07:40 PM
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So we probably beat this horse already but it is interesting to me. How close do you fish to other people? I don't enjoy combat fishing much but maybe I am just a Hermit. What is everybody else's bubble like? If it was up to me eyesight is to close but definitely earshot.
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My ice fishing standards are a lot different than my river fishing standards. I try to set up at least 75-100 yards from others when I get out to a lake that has lots of people in the area general area. If someone new sets up closer than that after I've already established my area, well, hey...I can't stop them but I wonder why they are fishing on top of me!
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If there is no chance of tangles when "fish-on" what's the worry ?
On the other hand, my .40 holds about a 2" group at 100 yds.
I'm not sayin' to spread targets, but it may inspire second thoughts of encroachment. :whistle:
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I like that maybe it's time to target practice and people will keep there distance. So why do u think the standards are different open water vs hard? I have had people setup so close I can almost feel their heater. But it gets that way with hunting too I guess.
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I tend to only fish Georgetown and people can come as close as they like. On multiple occasions I have invited people to post up right next to me if i am having luck and they are not. I feel like the more jigging around the more salmon will come around. I have never noticed a slow down in my fishing. On rivers it all depends on the location and time of year. Sometime there are only a couple of holes to go around
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I don't mind company unless I'm tip up fishing n ppl put there's in between mine like last yr on Noxon n I freaked out but I like talking with ppl
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I think that's why I got that way is with tipups. I started ice fishing with tip ups and I hate the way people act with them either setting right in the middle of mine or worse when they start pulling my tip ups. I have gotten to the point were I get annoyed when they point out my flags.maybe I am just getting cranky. It's one thing when your invited to fish next to someone but just go post up next to them is annoying. Especially when you've put in the legwork of scouting out good fishing n u get your spots poached.
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But it's kinda like this site just this one post I see over 140 views and 6 posts. Everyone wants the info but no one wants to contribute ??? Lots of lurkers
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The responses are at about the same ratio of those catching fish to those fishing, ha. 4%. :roflmao: :roflmao:
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Shanty Closed Go away
Shanty Open come and talk
Not really but
If some is going to fish close to me i would rather have communication
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I was ice fishing in Minnesota a few years ago and we hear a truck pull up outside of our ice house and no kidding they put their permanent fish house 4 feet from the back of our pop up. Completely different world out there as to what is acceptable compared to MT. Here in MT....I don't want to be within 100 yards of someone regardless of how I am fishing.
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(http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh587/strippnthedream/Mobile%20Uploads/image-14.jpg) (http://s1253.photobucket.com/user/strippnthedream/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image-14.jpg.html)
I bought a shirt at scheels just for ice fishing. 😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃
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Are u going to hang that on the outside of your house? I think I am going to paint it on mine.
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I dunno, I've made some friends inviting strangers to drill holes next to me. Especially if they are beginners, or the ice sucks on their home lake(Ferry) where they usually crush em, or they have little kids... This isn't exactly opening day of elk season. I hate for this to become one of THOSE outdoors sites. Maybe it's all about the invitation.
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Sunnyslope, open water is different because you need more room to fish. You cast long distances in different directions. You are also a lot more mobile in a boat or wading a river. Fish also seem spookier during open water. Ice fishing, you are only fishing directly beneath you or your tipup. There is no lateral distance to be covered from casting and retrieving. Open water is more dynamic than hard water. I still like my space when hardwater fishing. 50-100 yards is usually a good minimum for me. Sometimes when I am fishing a crowded point in shallow water during early ice, there may be a half dozen to a dozen ice houses within shouting distance. in that circumstance, I don't mind the crowd because that is where the fish are concentrated. People generally won't mind an extra person anyway. If I show up and there is only one party, I go somewhere else. Other times, if I am fishing a secret underwater hump or ledge or sunken island, that I went through great lengths to find and there is no one within a square mile, and someone comes roaring up on a 4 wheeler and starts drilling holes, I'm going to be pretty upset. I guess it just depends on the situation.
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I like those posts. I think within reason it's great. I am known For making laps and chatting with people in fact a few times it kept me from getting skunked but I think it's good manners to fill it out a little before setting up camp. I get annoyed with whole public lake screw u let's share holes and secrets, how's your lunch give me a bite. It's kinda like the fishing conditions how many times do people rely on others to do their scouting on thickness of ice? If I got to spend a tank of gas driving there some times multiple times and gpsing a location and the guy comes out and hangs off my shirt tail I get aggravated. I think good manners go along way. That's what I think I was going for what is the general thoughts of good distance? It looks like 50-100 yards?
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For me the rules change a little depending where I'm at. Some places I fish I don't move at all the whole day. Those fish are cruising and I feel more comfortable with people closer. I try to always be the first one out there, that way I'm always good. If someone wants to set up close that's their decision. If I'm on Peck or Nelson that distance is much farther. I don't remember it ever really being a big deal, though. I'm there to have fun, and pretty damned laid back. @)
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There are many good thoughts in this thread. I've seen that shirt before Strip and it was made for a reason!! ( I'd wear it!!!) But it also depends on the situation. For example, at Georgetown, your catching 7" salmon and 15-18" rainbows, not to much to get to bent out of shape about. There is a lot of area up there that holds fish, the fish bite and it's a great area to be social.
I can see people getting bent out of shape about tip ups, especially when you are only allowed two. BUT! If your fishing in a bay that's 300 yard long and 100 yards wide and you put a tip up at each end of the bay and think that the entire bay is yours, that's really going to irritate people.
Wyogator, also made great points. If I've done the leg work to find and pinpoint areas that are very small but are holding quality fish, I'm going to be irritated if I can even hear you.
Caveat...I will be way more tolerant if they are noobs, and just exploring and don't have any idea what they are doing. Also, a please and a thank you goes a real long way, as well as asking if if you can fish in the general area. If I'm new to an area, I always go talk to people and get the feel of their demeanor. After talking for a bit, about wolves or hunting or whatever people generally get pretty receptive to company if you ask if you can fish in the general area. I'll even ask if I'm too close if I think I'm pushing it.
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I'm gonna set shop next to missoulafish! Lol ;D
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Lol!! You don't count since I know you hahaha!!!
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It doesn't matter to me plenty of fish out there if someone wants to set up next to me no problem. If they can tolerate me being rowdy even better. Better yet if they can tolerate my kids running around causing havoc. More power to them. Lol I'm usually the first on ice. I like to have my first pick. ;D
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I typically prefer some distance between myself & others. I don't mind the visitors that stop by for some hardwater chitchat or the people who ask me to punch them a few holes because their hand auger just isn't cutting it. What I don't like is people camped right next to me. Kind of ruins the whole freeing up my mind peaceful alone time vibe I have going. Most people have boundaries & respect the boundaries of others. Can't ask for much more than that.
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As an ice fishing noob, I just want to thank everyone here for their thoughts. Better to learn these things here than through trial-and-error in the field.
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I typically prefer some distance between myself & others. I don't mind the visitors that stop by for some hardwater chitchat or the people who ask me to punch them a few holes because their hand auger just isn't cutting it. What I don't like is people camped right next to me. Kind of ruins the whole freeing up my mind peaceful alone time vibe I have going. Most people have boundaries & respect the boundaries of others. Can't ask for much more than that.
Couldn't of said it better.
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(http://s1253.photobucket.com/user/strippnthedream/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image-14.jpg.html)
What a sweet shirt i gotta get one.
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I try to get at least 75 yds but normally I try to fish opposite of where the groups are.
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So do you guys have some creative ways to keep people away from your spots? Like that shirt or such. Every year seems like I gotta come up with away to tell people move over aways.
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One time we had some guys post up maybe 30 feet from one of our hottest tipup halfway through the morning. We're not sure if they randomly picked that spot, knew about the particular structure, or had been watching us chase tipups before deciding to fish. They gridded out a bunch of holes and put up their tipups. The entire lake was empty since it was midweek and there are plenty of known good spots on this lake. Our group thought that it was pretty douchey (sorry to use that word but this word fit so well).
So I guess I'd say when the lake is empty with good ice any closer than 100 yards especially with tipups is too close. On smaller lakes or areas with limited access, I try to stay as far away as possible but still within the needed structure/depth.
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Just thought of the perfect analogy.. It's kinda like the urinals in public restroom you got to have that buffer zone.
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Its public water so you can setup wherever you want,be cordial and respectful enough to leave a buffer between our gear and well get along fine.
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Of course:)
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i think if someone took an electric fence that would keep people away
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Just don't pee on my shack and I am happy.
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Was up at Ashley lake outside of Kalispell 17 years ago and the people loved having everyone close together. They felt it attracted the little Kokanees better. Don't mind meeting new people and seeing them catch fish and swapping info.
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This is a good topic and lots of good info. For me, it definitely depends on the location and situation. Spitzo hit it on the nail.
I definitely enjoy my space especially on certain larger lakes, but in my experience, most ice fishermen are very welcoming to chit chat and conversation as long as you're not overbearing.
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Last year on tongue I was the first one in the area one day went out and drilled some holes and started fishing. A little while later I had a man and his wife come up and say we are going to fish in your holes because we've been fishing here all year.
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Ya some people got no bubble. I remember one time people actual leap frogged my tip ups. I got to the point I parked my truck on the road so they had to walk 1/4 mile to even get to the ice
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Maybe I'm a hermit as well. I would rather have poorer fishing in isolation than great fishing in a village. My satisfaction comes from finding the fish on my own rather than sticking to other anglers like a "tick". I don't really get too worked up and like to BS with other anglers if I get crowded in -as long as they are respectful. That means: no hollering at a damned dog that won't listen, don't let the dog run through your lines (actually had one get my hook in its leg once), don't make 50 trips back and forth with your wheeler, and for the sake of sanity -no domestic disputes!
Thankfully, most anglers in MT are respectful of others and I have had very few of these encounters.
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Last summer I took the boy out perch fishing. We were catching nice ones and before you knew it, it was a Marina. One guy was maneuvering his boat about 15' away from mine. I finally said that there is a whole lake to fish either shut your boat off and fish or go elsewhere.
Like some of you, I like to be the first out. Even tho the lake is open to the public, 1st come first serve. Please stop buy and chat Sith me, just don't set up shop right next to me. If people are already at a spot that I like, I keep my distance and ask if I can fish a short distance from them.
As for keeping pesky anglers away,exercising my 2nd amendment usually keeps people away! ; )
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On the other hand, my .40 holds about a 2" group at 100 yds.
Words of wisdom- never insult seven men when your packing a six shooter!
Col. Sherman Potter
;D
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Generally, if I am fishing a popular cove, I expect others to be there or show up. gotta live with it,but in those situations, 30 yards is a good buffer. if on a big lake, 50 -100 yards is ok. of course, unless you invite them to fish with you. I do like fishing with someone else, but do not hesitate to go alone.
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I agree with the 100 yards. Its really not that close unless your on a small lake and then its just common sense.
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The first rule is to ask. I like to punch lots of holes from shallow to deep and keep hole hopping to find fish. That may take 50 yards of ice. If someone asks I let them know what I am doing and where I feel ok with them being and vice versa. (It does suck when I say I am not fishing over that way 100 yards and they start wrecking them... ;) So I ask and expect others to ask. Does not take much effort.
That said I have this pet peeve on Peck where guys put out a single tip up per point and spend all day and night running for miles and then get pissed about others fishing those points, and they are big points. I stay at least as far away as a northern will run and go for it. I always am interested in how they react when I see a four ATVs roaring my way and they see me there.
In the past on Devils Lake I can recall a hundred guys set up arsehole to elbow over a huge March perch school. As long as everyone is piling them up nobody cared...how could they? But as been said MT is different.
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It all depends on location and size of the lake to me. If I were fishing Georgetown at the pump house or a small pond in town I would expect 15-20 yards. If I were at Fork Peck with tip ups I would hope for a couple hundred..
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Definitely depends on the size of lake. I'm a shanty fisherman that may occasionally put out a tip up. I enjoy the conversation, people walking around asking how the fish are biting, bs'ing here and there and just looking for an enjoyable day. That being said, what erks me is when people sit in their vehicles and stare at their line of how ever many tip ups spread across 75-100 yards of ice and get pissed when someone gets close to those, or points them out. If you're covering that much real estate on a smaller lake do you really expect people to stay away or not set up within 100 yards as some guys are wanting? I've seen guys argue endlessly on the ice over these types of situations. If you don't want to talk to the other fisherman and get a feel for the buffer zone or be social, fine, but don't be surprised when people don't take kindly to it.
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kind of switching gears, what about if u r the person who punches a lot of holes n some one shows up n tries one that u drilled?
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if i left it cause i wasnt catching more power to them
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if i left it cause i wasnt catching more power to them
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So there's been some kidding about warning shots and target shooting. But seriously, this weekend I intend to put out the tip-ups and then set out the goose shells and start flagging. It's not a spot where I intend to see many people, but what's the etiquette? ???
Cardboard sign at the parking spot?
Or should people see the decoys and have the good sense to not set up downwind?
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Don't ever assume that you think people will use common sense.
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Never fished Montana, But if you guys ever fish Pennsylvania .... Few lakes and lots of Icefisherman, so space is few and far between.
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It is good to hear all the comments! Glad to see people recreating and enjoying themselves. People have to respect others who are also recreating. The things that really get me going are LITTER BUGS, FISH left on the ice for birds, and my favorite people who don't pick up DOG POO on the ice!
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50-100yds is close enough unless invited closer.
At Fort Peck ,Had a guy pull up 4 of my tip ups and set his shack up.
He left and his shack found its way down the lake.
He wasn't to happy when he came back.
serves him right I say.
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I was talking with a friend today and new trick is I am going to drill holes outside their icehouse door. How many you think I can get in before they get their house moved. ........... I have heard of people going back to their holes that people have set up in and dropping tip ups through the ice or at least pulling them up.