Etiquette question

[George Schoenecker]

I am renewing an interest in ice fishing after a too long hiatus.  The last time I fished on the ice was on WI Lake Winnebago with natives wearing the original ice suits of seal skin and walrus parkas (this was before they moved further North, the UP). In the readings thus far I have found some great information and am thankful that not too much has changed; make a hole, clean it out, drop a line, drink a beer and wait. However, I am also reading about the "Swiss cheese" phenomenon of making many holes over a wide area (100-200 yds. apart) and "hopping" between them. Since in CO one can only legally have two lines in the water at one time, how to I know if I am encroaching on someone else's unfished hole or if it has been abandoned and ethically OK to use? Or, do I just take my chances and run the risk of bodily harm? Any guidance will be helpful.

[lefty2053]

People are pretty protective of their holes they plan on using. If there is anyone in shooting distance I would ask first.  I never worry about it as I will make my own hole before I would try and open one up with my auger. Can get bent blades and or bend Auger if it catches at an angle. I mostly stay away from other anglers anyway. Their spot isn't where all the fish are anyway. Have fun out there.

[Duke M]

I hole hop and when I step away from a hole it is abandoned, I don't own the ice. Gosh if angler controlled a 100 or 200 yard area on the Mississippi Backwaters you could exclude other anglers from entire spots. Sometimes it almost resembles a dance out there with a half dozen guys all wandering around fishing the various holes. Usually most guys stay 10' to 20' away on the smaller tighter spots and 30' to 50' in more open areas.

Duke

[George Schoenecker]

Thanks Duke, that gives me some parameters. Coming from a fly fishing background, I've been encroached upon and don't want to commit the same mistake on the ice. Thanks again.

[grizzlyhackle]

Thanks Duke, that gives me some parameters. Coming from a fly fishing background, I've been encroached upon and don't want to commit the same mistake on the ice. Thanks again.

x2

I feel the exact same way. Someone rolling right up next to you and drilling holes is like another fly fisherman drifting by that starts casting at rising fish you've sat there and watched for 10 minutes.

I try to stay as far away from other people as possible, but obviously sometimes it is inevitable like Duke said

[Mattiemo]

IMO they have approxametly 30ft R area around THEM thats a no go. If they have holes scattered around outside that AREA its is open to anyone. Using someones open hole i think is a no no unless they left the area.

[SeisMec]

Aahh, Ice Piracy! It's everywhere! Very wise man is Mr. Duke. I use to hang out at a local website until some not so wise people start screaming and shout and threatening bodily harm at other site members all over holes in the ice. That same thing got started here last year but was wisely shut down by the mods. On the other website it seems some people think they own a area of ice just because they drilled a hole in the ice an hour ago, a day ago, a week or even a year ago. One person even when so far as stating and I loosely quote "Everyone know that is my spot because I always fish there!" A lot of flaming went on at that website and the lead Mod/owner was smack in the middle of it.

I myself will RESPECT my fellow fisherman and keep a reasonable distance from you but if the bit is on and there are a ton of people out there you can expect to have people come to within the legal minimum distance from you or your house which in ND is 10' even if you drilled all the holes for a 100 yd around you.

[bigstorm]

I normaly find a spot where nobody is too close (nobody within 50ft), I'll drill 4 to 6 holes in that area and hole hop between them. If I dont catch much, I move to another area and give up the holes that I left behind.

[ssduramax66]

It's one thing to use or encroach on holes that are not being used but you drill a hole 50 ft from my trap in 2 ft of water while I'm trout fishing  ::)it will not work out well for you. You have the whole lake.... Even when the bite is "on"  that doesn't mean that it's the only place on the lake where you can catch a fish

[Swift]

If the question had been asked 10-12yrs ago a definite answer could have been given. Now, I have no idea. There was a time in my 50+yrs on the ice where 99.99% were great, courteous people that had a basic respect for others. Now it's a crap shoot, granted 95% are still great and sociable, but it's that 5% that seem to be remembered, growing and getting out of hand. Garbage, profanity, threats and theft, unfortunately have become more common place. There are a couple bodies of water with decent fishing within 5 - 10 minutes of my house that I won't go anywhere near anymore . Gas and spare tire theft are bad enough, but threats of violence for simply coming out and going by, really? Actually watched a "bar" room brawl once, excessive alcohol was involved, but come on man, little kids were there. Drifted towards "lesser" bodies of water and still do as well as ever. Sports drifting in a bad direction, not sure about any answers to straighten it out anymore. Distance away? If you're quiet I could care less ----->What once was the local "Old School" approach is still in effect

[krcat40]

             IMO its called common courtesy. Don't get too close to anyone as you wouldn't want people too close to you. Also no one owns the ice. Where we fish pretty much everyone knows everyone so it is first come first serve. I have gotten out and seen other guys out at 430 for walleye spots when the bite is hot lol. People are mad when you get to a spot first but it is fair game. People will follow if they hear you are catching fish so keep your mouth shut. People thought my buddies and I were the worst fisherman in the world for a few years until they started hearing about all of our fish frys. LMAO.

I am not afraid of confrontation, but if it happens just walk away its not worth it. In my twenties I prolly wouldn't of walked away but now who cares. There is no reason for physical stuff on the ice.

[fishermantim]

If you are in the place I was hoping to fish, I will move on to "site B" and leave it at that.
If I am set up and have drilled all my holes for the day, and you come rolling up and start using my holes without saying "hi" then you may not enjoy the fishing. I don't get aggressive, or belligerent or violent, but rather I will just outfish you plain and simple.

Remember that most encroachers are either inexperienced, at which case I will offer tips for basic success, or they are ignorant boobs who feel that they are entitled to whatever spot they want on the ice. They will get no help and I will make it a point to whoop and holler when I catch a fish, no matter what size or species.

If they are drinking and swearing I will stand my ground until I have had enough, and I will be the better man and move on. I don't need to be around drunken idiots, plain and simple!

99% of the time I will end up sharing my knowledge, and even bait and tackle with anyone willing to be social.
Heck, that's half the fun!!! How do you think we all found this website?

So be wary of encroachers and be mindful if you feel you might be encroaching, talk to your fellow anglers and enjoy yourself!

[Iceaddict12]

If you drill it, it's yours, otherwise ask.

[SKAMPO]

Wow, the lakes I fish must be filled with all a-holes. Most people wont respond when spoken to, wont tell you if they've been biting, wont tell you what they're using, wont tell you anything. 1 guy I fish with is one of the worst I've met, not only will he not tell you any "real" info but he'll actually lie to people and tell them the opposite.

If I drilled them I'd like to fish them, but don't really care if somebody else does. If I didn't drill it I will ask the closest fella's to it if they mind. If somebody wants to know what I got going on I'd be happy to tell them depth, color, bait and presentation. Their are plenty of fish for everybody and we all just want to have fun.

[Fisherman 1]

You think that's bad, you ought to try it here when the Ruskies invade.  They send guys around on a sled/ATV to look for any fish laying on the ice, or blood marks from whities.  Then they radio/text their buddies and surround ya.  Worst yet are the ignorant *&#@* that will actually open your hut and almost climb right in.  So, I can't hardly blame someone for for being a bit reluctant at times.   I've learned the hard way, keep the fish in a bag and out of sight.  If it's someone that comes across like a human, I'll give them the time and info. 

[bowcarp]

Aahh, Ice Piracy! It's everywhere! Very wise man is Mr. Duke. I use to hang out at a local website until some not so wise people start screaming and shout and threatening bodily harm at other site members all over holes in the ice. That same thing got started here last year but was wisely shut down by the mods. On the other website it seems some people think they own a area of ice just because they drilled a hole in the ice an hour ago, a day ago, a week or even a year ago. One person even when so far as stating and I loosely quote "Everyone know that is my spot because I always fish there!" A lot of flaming went on at that website and the lead Mod/owner was smack in the middle of it.

I myself will RESPECT my fellow fisherman and keep a reasonable distance from you but if the bit is on and there are a ton of people out there you can expect to have people come to within the legal minimum distance from you or your house which in ND is 10' even if you drilled all the holes for a 100 yd around you.

AAHHH! the fishing buddy ice pirates , highly entertaining thread they're parents should of sent them to stand in the corner till they could get along , made me want to get a pirate flag for my shack , even though I don't care if the fish are biting at that location , I'll go to the end of the lake with no people

[1moslab]

if I drill a hole through the ice I own that hole and 100yds around it for 8-10 days,than the bank takes it

[bigfoot697]

make up a few hole markers and place them in your unused holes. that way theres no dispute on whose holes they are. hey it worked for me. you can make them look like tipups for very little money.

[walkerd]

Wow I want to fish with you guys, I have never had anyone ask if your using a hole that Im not fishing in. And ever since Ive been fishing Ive seen people catching fish and people will acutally drill right around them. So if I go out and drill 20 holes for hole hoping then their all my holes and no one can fish them cooooolllllll......... .......

[Tmuskie]

The Russian invasion has gotten out of here in MA on certain waters. They go as far as drill ing holes 3 feet from your tip ups and start jigging. There is no need for that. As previously stated. There is plenty of ice for everyone. To bad that 5% has to F-up everything for everyone.

[ice_engineer]

I have actually had perfect strangers come up to me and tell me to move over by them as they were catching fish.  Around here people are pretty friendly we play musical holes all the time. 

[1moslab]

I have actually had perfect strangers come up to me and tell me to move over by them as they were catching fish.  Around here people are pretty friendly we play musical holes all the time.

say what ???I am moving to Minnesota,here they throw frozen fish at you and put water in your auger

[Savage Brewer]

Wow, I almost cant believe some of this stuff. Maybe I am just lucky but most people I have run into on the ice have been quite friendly.

If I see open holes I will ask if someone is around to ask.

[skowalski250]

I tried this topic last year and got way different results. I believe that if I set up tip-ups that area is mine. I only take up a 30 yard circle approx. If you came up and sat by my tip-up and started fishing we would have trouble.  BUT if you asked the fine. Last year I was all wrong. Nobody was one my side. See what a difference a year makes!

[JonPerry]

General rule of thumb here is a 10 ft space between fish houses. open fishing not so much. it never hurts to ask to fish unused holes since most folks on the ice are usually not dicks. i've gotten to meet some nice people that way.

[ice_engineer]

I agree Jon, but that's more of a safety and flasher working properly thing.....