Author:
Boyd Percy
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Date Posted: 21:27:45 02/26/13 Tue
>It's been a long time since I've personally done any
>ice fishing, but since no one else seems to want to
>make an answer to this I'll take a crack at it.
>
>There is no leasing or ownership of spots for ice
>fishing on public lakes, which are most lakes of any
>size. It's mostly first come, first served. Since some
>spots are perceived as better than others, sometimes a
>fisherman will place his fish coop (or shanty, as it's
>sometimes known) in one spot and leave it there all
>season. Fish coops are usually pretty comfortable,
>with a heater.
>
>Other ice fishermen use portable windbreak shelters,
>or just spud a hole in the ice and sit out in the
>wind. On a calm, sunny day it's not totally
>unpleasant. In my day, the holes were opened with
>spuds, which are nothing more than chisels welded onto
>a pipe. These days it's not unknown to see chainsaws
>or power augers.
>
>As far as how far from shore, it's dependent on water
>depth and other factors. Sometimes people fish far
>from shore -- like miles -- on the Great Lakes. The
>ice floes on the big lakes usually aren't complete and
>people take a risk of the wind changing and being
>blown offshore. Hardly a winter goes by that some
>walleye fisherman doesn't have to be rescued from Lake
>Erie, for example, usually by helicopter or hovercraft.
>
>There are many ways to go about it. Most ice fishing,
>especially for panfish, is bait fishing. However.
>there is some spearing of larger species, such as
>pike. A weighted multi-point spear is used. This is
>where the fish coop is really favored -- it can be
>kept dark in order to be able to see down into the
>water.
>
>With the mild winters we've been having, ice fishermen
>have mostly only had short seasons. Getting out on
>thin ice is risky; earlier this winter we had a couple
>guys die when they fell through fishing on thin ice.
>Ice depths can vary for a number of reasons,
>especially from depth or currents in the lake. Here in
>southern Michigan all ice shantys have to be off the
>lakes by March first. If the ice persists after that,
>there will still be people out there with or without
>portable shelters as long as they think it's safe.
>
>Hope this fills you in a little.
>
>-- Wes
>
>
>>Since I live in the US Gulf South, I have no practical
>>knowledge or experience about ice fishing. When Jim
>>Wooten mentions his fish coop, I know he likes to go
>>ice fishing on Spearfish Lake. Do fishermen lease
>>spots on lakes to go fishing or is it first come,
>>first served basis? How far from the shore would one
>>place their fish coop? I know I could look this up on
>>Wikipedia, but I would enjoy hearing from a forum
>>reader with practical experience on this subject.
>>
>>Thanks.
Wes, Thanks for the information and your insights.
I purchased the book and did a quick read through. A very good story which I believe all your fans will enjoy. I like it because it features a new character you've only mentioned in passing previously. I'll probably read it multiple times during the next seven weeks. I enjoy the journey much more than the final destination.
Boyd Percy
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