Ice fishing Etiquette

Did I hear someone say pulltabs?

Eelpoutguy wrote:

Did I hear someone say pulltabs?

IDK but yesss

I’ve never run into the issue, but if I did I would go over and talk to the person/group. Tell them what my plans were and see if we could come to an agreement. I’m not much of a hole hopper who prefers to fish with an underwater camera if there is enough light out. My plan would be to drop the camera down in holes until I spot fish, then set up camp, drilling 3 additional holes: one for the camera, one for a dead stick, one to jig, or for the Vex. Presumably, a person using a Livescope and hole hopping to maximise his catch isn’t going to feel threatened by a mostly stationary turtle.

Huntindave wrote:

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.

I have had ice chips hitting my portable from someone drilling a hole that close to where I was set up and actively fishing. As to the op’s question I would probably avoid the area and try to find somewhere else not because I think they own that spot just that I prefer to do my own thing and not move in on others.

I think it also comes down to experience. If you are a novice and don’t even know how to go about finding your own spot, then go and talk to the person you want to fish near. Usually people are pretty friendly if you’re honest and say you’re just getting the hang of things and need some pointers. If you’re experienced, then you should be able to pivot into a new spot if the place you originally wanted is taken. I’ve learned so many spots and new techniques because I was forced to fish somewhere I didn’t originally expect. Hell, even if you are going to fish somewhere else, I’d recommend just chatting with other people more often! I see too many grumpy, guarded, and possessive outdoorsmen. Life is too short to be that way.

Dogfish wrote:

I think it also comes down to experience. If you are a novice and don’t even know how to go about finding your own spot, then go and talk to the person you want to fish near. Usually people are pretty friendly if you’re honest and say you’re just getting the hang of things and need some pointers. If you’re experienced, then you should be able to pivot into a new spot if the place you originally wanted is taken. I’ve learned so many spots and new techniques because I was forced to fish somewhere I didn’t originally expect. Hell, even if you are going to fish somewhere else, I’d recommend just chatting with other people more often! I see too many grumpy, guarded, and possessive outdoorsmen. Life is too short to be that way.

i go ouut of my way to go BS with some fishermen!!!!!!

Depends on the size of the body of water for me. If its a big lake with lots of structure I’d be wondering why they are even by me, as I try to stay away from crowds. If a buddy and I are on a small body of water with a good tipup spread and are actively drilling/searching when another group comes out, we will tell them to feel free to use any of the ones we aren’t actively using.

Treat others as you would like to be treated.

If it’s a Swiss cheesed well known community spot it’s one thing, but…

If I’m on a lake and there’s not another fisherman within a 1/4+ mile, then one drives/walks up and starts fishing a hole I just drilled??? Yeah, not cool in most circumstances.

There’s no way in H-E-L-L I’d ever pull that on someone. There’s a lot of water to cover, and that guy drilled where he did to get away from the crowds/community spots.

If you feel like that guy is “in your spot” before you got there, instead of butting in, use that opportunity to explore for a newer and better spot (that’s what I’ve done and it’s paid off more than once)

B-man wrote:

Treat others as you would like to be treated.

I tend to lean this way. Not everyone does or knows this. If another fisherman ruins your day of fishing. You ain’t fishing right or fishing for the right reasons.

I fish SE Wisconsin a lot and 10-15ft is a luxury some days. I treat it differently depending on where I’m fishing. Super popular metro lake, I expect to be crowded. Now, when I’m in Northern Wisconsin or Northern Minnesota, I would hope people would try to give a decent bit of space. I don’t mind if you swing by and we have a conversation at all. I have no problem talking about what and how I’m using things that are working. Most times if you’re struggling where you are I’ll invite you to move closer, but don’t start right on top of me.

The only time I have no problem being crowded whenever or wherever when I’m out is if someone has kids with them. Then come as close as you want and fish any hole I’m not in. Seeing kids outdoors and having fun is something I will never get upset about. Hell they can even pull in tip ups for me if they want.

For ICAST 2025 The new Racine County ice fishing space maker series dueling pistols

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Randy Wieland wrote:

For ICAST 2025 The new Racine County ice fishing space maker series dueling pistols

Where’s the leather gloves? Your supposed to insult your opponent with a slap first aren’t you? 7 or 10 paces? So many questions…

Randy Wieland wrote:

For ICAST 2025 The new Racine County ice fishing space maker series dueling pistols

Thats better than a sword fight!
How about dueling augers?? first one to wrap up the others ice suit or shelter wins.

^^^ Dueling augers would be cool except participants need to ride on them and first one thrown loses. Bonus points for crash landing into your shelter and crap…

Randy Wieland wrote:

For ICAST 2025 The new Racine County ice fishing space maker series dueling pistols

Guessing you are referring to this?
https://www.fox6now.com/news/racine-harbor-incident-gun-drawn-dispute.amp

Administer and two witnesses must be present.

I had a head scratcher today, a guy had his flip over set up and I don’t think it was over 6 ft. from the travel lane that everyone had been using to get to a sand bar on the lake. He yelled at me for driving too close to where he was fishing. If you see the path everyone is using, why would you set up on the edge of it?