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First ice

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FreshwaterPhil:
Finally found some safe ice on a very small lake in Southern Quebec. Mainly 3-3.5 inches solid. Spud bar and flotation suit were in order.
Bite wasn't too hot, 8 perch and 2 sunfish, none over 9 inches.





Visited by the police as well, noticed a few cars stopping to call them. They weren't able to access the lake from their parking spot due to feeder creek, I had launched from a friend's private property. They left me alone after they figured out that I knew what I was doing, they even asked in I had any history of mental issues   ;D

saxmatt:
That sucks, I’m sorry the cops bothered you. I’ve been kicked off 8+ inches of ice the past few years 3 times and 2 of the times they were threatening to arrest me and took my ID and detained me even though I wasn’t breaking any laws. In all 3 instances they didn’t even set foot on the ice to check the thickness. The cops are getting worse and worse.

FreshwaterPhil:

--- Quote from: saxmatt on Nov 25, 2021, 09:38 PM ---That sucks, I’m sorry the cops bothered you. I’ve been kicked off 8+ inches of ice the past few years 3 times and 2 of the times they were threatening to arrest me and took my ID and detained me even though I wasn’t breaking any laws. In all 3 instances they didn’t even set foot on the ice to check the thickness. The cops are getting worse and worse.

--- End quote ---

I've come to expect this kind of thing anytime I fish early ice. I typically go up to small towns at elevation in cottage country, the second anyone sees you on early ice, they call the cops. Luckily, provincial and federals laws stipulate that all lakes are public property, and that we have the right to fish them during their respective open seasons.

The problem becomes access and parking. If I access a lake from a municipal parking spot, I may run into issues. Others claim to have bi-laws regarding ice safety, got kicked of such one lake by the fire dept a few years ago.

I've figured out that showing confidence in your knowledge of your rights as well as staying relaxed and friendly, will go a very long way in order to get them to understand. Last winter, I got checked at same spot, ended up inviting the cops onto the ice. As he was a hunter, he obliged, and all ended well. This time, after they realized that I was wearing a floating survival suit and managed to walk all over the lake without going through, they relaxed. I invited them to join me, but they refused.

I may go back to the same region next week, so I called cops this morning to tell them in avance. They appreciated me calling them, but told me that they are forced to respond to calls by law, so if anyone calls, I'll be seeing them again.

mr.clean:
FreshwaterPhil thank you for the photos congratulations on catching a few early ice fish. Some people are concerned about your safety others see the lake /pond as their property and do not want others fishing . I find being polite,respectful and like you showing a knowledge of ice fishing and your safety gear goes a long ways when dealing with the police responding to a call of a person/people on what the person phone caller  believes is thin ice.
 Steve
 

SLAYERFISH:
Aggressive little sunfish.  Yah Ive been tossed off the ice by the Parks and Rec guys b4. Jeez it was 5.5" but they said its gotta be freekin 6".

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