So if an individual Swiss cheeses the ice with 20-25 holes what is the proper ice fishing etiquette. The individual is only using one of the holes. Can you use one of other holes? Can you drill a hole near one of his holes that is farther away from where he is currently fishing. Kist a question as I see numerous people Swiss cheese the ice when using Live Scope
I wouldn’t use there hole but would drill an inch away from one of there’s.
They cannot claim the area just because they punch a buncha holes.
I dont really like to be within 60-80 yards of someone. If theres a hole there though Ill use it. Used a group that had probably 80 holes on a slough and used quite a few this weekend while keeping my distance and drilling a few myself.
I’m with EPG. Kind of depends on the lake size but some smaller lakes may only have a spot or two that’s holding the school of fish. Just because you drilled out an area the size of Texas doesn’t mean you’re entitled to it all yourself.
I would find a new area.
Need more info. Open basin chasing crappies or shallow slough for gills? Popular area where everyone piles into a tiny area like flies on a turd?
In shallow /crowded areas I’ll drill a crap load of holes. Better to disturb the area once rather than have the next 10 guys slip in and each drill holes 10 minutes apart. In community spots, open holes are fair game.
If I’m chasing eyes or crappies in open basin, and I’m by myself, ya I get ticked off when I get crowded by people. That’s just a blatant lack of respect and I respond accordingly
It’s not really etiquette, but rather the premise of fishing for me that is the deciding factor.
When I fish I go to have space, to be challenged a bit, and enjoy the outdoors. More often than not I’ll give up a spot on ice or open water when people move in. I just don’t care enough to fish in crowded spots. I usually just shake my head at other people in disgust and move on without much interaction
I usually just ask, hey do you mind if I use these holes as long as I keep my distance.
I’ve never been told yes I mind.
I personally would never use someone else’s hole while they’re still on that spot. There’s community holes where its pretty normal but you won’t find me in any of those areas.
If someone is off on their own away from others, moving in on them is very disrespectful. Going as far as using their holes might as well be fighting words for some guys. Like Bucky said, they may be away from the crowd on purpose.
If you’re hell bent on fishing that spot, stopping and chatting about it with the other guy is the best bet.
The it’s all public water mentality is toxic. If they beat you to it, accept it and treat it like it’s theirs. Be respectful, ask if they mind you setting up with them and more than likely nobody will get too upset.
Overall, I think less holes are drilled now with FFS than before. 50-100 hole grids used to be the normal for basin crappies, now you can see that whole grid with 4 holes using FFS, narrow in on them and catch them.
In reality no one owns the holes they drill. I think legally its what 10ft away? you could setup in any of them at least 10ft away from them. Jerk move? Kinda. I never fish near other guys to run into this.
Early bird gets the worm. If they got up earlier then you give them the respect. But if they just drill to protect the spot then no.
Im going to have a reply that most people wont like. Regs is ten feet. We all pay tax dollars, and have the same access to the water. Ill use an open hole if its in the area I want to try. But, I will never get mad if someone does the same, I invite conversation, and also enjoy sharing knowledge. More than once I have had guys Try and fish around holes I have drilled, Them being nice and not wanting to crowd me. My reply everytime is “come on over and check these ones, I can only fish two at a time!”
Moral of my post – Just be nice and make new friends if you can! Ive gained some great spots, just being nice and having conversations with others on the lake.
i’m glad i regularly fish lakes i’m but maybe the only other one on. usually i’ve got the lake to myself.
IF someones fishing in a place i planned on fishing…..i just find another spot.
on more populated lakes……..depending on what fish i’m after, i’ll fish nearby but leave plenty of space. it aint worth getting into it on the ice.
Lots of different opinions on this which is interesting to see. My immediate reaction was no way, but I grew up being taught not to fish within 100 yards of someone.
It depends on the circumstance, obviously there’s going to be others close by if you’re fishing a community spot on a metro lake. I mostly fish northern lakes with less traffic, and people generally keep their distance (which I appreciate).
Folks that are saying 10 feet, need to re-read that regulation. The regulation only applies to a shelter. Nothing about the minimum distance between anglers.
Folks that are saying 10 feet, need to re-read that regulation. The regulation only applies to a shelter. Nothing about the minimum distance between anglers.
correct!!!!!!!!
All depends on the scenario, like Randy and a few others alluded to. In the cities, or the big popular lakes where there is more traffic than room is a lot different than a remote lake in Northern MN. And even if it’s not a high traffic area it depends. Like I’ll often start shallow in the morning and drill my way out deeper, then I don’t care if you use the holes I drilled hours ago that are often a long ways away. But if I’m following crappies around a basin at dusk, I wouldn’t love it.
To me this is simple. If a hole is open and no one is within 10-20 yards of it I’ll fish it. If someone is close enough I will often ask them if they mind if i fish this hole. I’m one of those people who tends to drill a ton of holes in a area once i locate some fish. I do so because I’m a hole hopper and move around from hole to hole rather often. I’d rather have additional holes drilled than drill a new one each time I want to move. I’ve never had a problem with someone fishing the holes I drilled. Lots of community known spots on lots of lakes. If someone thinks they can claim the rights to a large area simply by getting there early and drilling lots of holes they are crazy. It simply doesn’t work that way.
But if I’m following <em class=”ido-tag-em”>crappies around a basin at dusk, I wouldn’t love it.
What if I toss you a white claw first?? 
Its kinda like jumping in a pulltab back that someone is big money in a box and losing big isnt it?
20-25 holes is swiss cheese. I drilled over 100 on Sunday. Obviously cant fish them all but what pisses me off is when some a hole wants to use them and didnt even bring an auger with. Last year my stepson was catching alot of little walleye in 2 holes about 3 feet apart. Set his pole down to walk to shore and take a leak and some asswad went and dropped his line right in. Lets just say the mood in the area changed quickly.
Its kinda like jumping in a pulltab back that someone is big money in a box and losing big isnt it?
The bar back boxes are fair game as far as I am concerned. If you sit at the bar and are $50-100 in and haven’t won a thing with some big hitters left in the box…..you better start ripping faster because I’ll be joining.
What if I toss you a white claw first??
How many? Because I know I’ll have to tow your Ridgeline off the lake later then too. 
How many? Because I know I’ll have to tow your Ridgeline off the lake later then too.
That depends on what size the crappies are you are guiding me on
Wake up earlier. Don’t crowd people. Fishing is as much about getting away from people as it is catching fish.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>CaptainMusky wrote:</div>
Its kinda like jumping in a pulltab back that someone is big money in a box and losing big isnt it?The bar back boxes are fair game as far as I am concerned. If you sit at the bar and are $50-100 in and haven’t won a thing with some big hitters left in the box…..you better start ripping faster because I’ll be joining.
I always get a kick out of watching people put hundreds into pull tabs. It’s quicker and more painless if you just light your money on fire.
The bar back boxes are fair game as far as I am concerned. If you sit at the bar and are $50-100 in and haven’t won a thing with some big hitters left in the box…..you better start ripping faster because I’ll be joining.
I generally agree with this. Though I will not play if its some regulars that I personally know playing a box and I see they are in deep.
If its a small lake and that is the spot to go I would drill my own holes a certain distance from the fisherman, regardless of his hole spread. I drill holes spreads as far as 100 yards when searching. That is way too far to claim as an area.
I would find a new area.
x2 – I’d be outski
Its kinda like jumping in a pulltab back that someone is big money in a box and losing big isnt it?
I haven’t been inside a bar in a long time. But if I walk in and that box is hot, I’m in. I don’t care who’s playing or loosing. I’m dropping 40 bucks and ripping fast on a hot box, repeat until I win. Or some one else does.
Being deep in a box is only bad news for that guy.
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