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Posted

With the heavy snowfall this year, people using lake roads that other parties have plowed may become an issue. I understand that the entire frozen lake is public property, but I also understand that it can be frustrating for a person to take the time and expense to plow roads on the lake, then have other people use them without helping (time or expense). To make matters worse, some people will fish right on the plowed road, or even worse, right next to the fishhouse of the person that plows.

I'm just wondering how others feel about this issue, especially the people that plow the roads. I have parked on roads plowed by others in the past, without obstructing the road or fishing on the road or by anybody's fishhouse. If there was a convenient way I could give plower a couple of bucks to use their road, I would do that.

Posted

Agreed. I would also be happy to pay for use of the plowed roads.

Posted

Oh boy...

One of the things I really like about the Ely area is that it's not URL. Maybe you're referring more to Vermilion based on comments in the other thread.

There are getting to be more plowed roads on Burntside though. Some from the landing at Van Vac but also some from private landings that provide access to groups of houses. The banks on the roads from private accesses were getting pretty high and you have to be careful crossing them when pulling your fish house with your snowmobile. I REALLY appreciate the guys who took the time to stick some evergreen boughs in the banks the plowed up around their houses. It's huge for us guys on sleds from a safety standpoint. We can see the banks and berms well before we get to them and adjust our route accordingly. White on white has very little contrast in good light. When traveling in twilight hours or poor weather, you just can't see it till you're on top of it. Yah, yah, slow down. 20 mph is slow when you're traveling a 7000 acre lake.

I'm thinking (as a guy who does have a truck and plow) more about responsibilities than I am rights.

Posted

I do not think that most of us that plow the roads care if other use them as long as they:

#1 Do not drill holes in the roads or very close to the roads!

#2 Do not block the roads with their trucks or houses.

#3 Do not set up right next to their houses. (I know! The law says they only need to be 10' away!) That's insane!

#4 When you see some one plowing the roads, stop them and hand them $20 and thank them! I do it all the time on Vermilion because I know how much work it is to keep roads open and how expensive equipment repairs can be. (Those guys will be grateful and even welcome you and maybe even give you some good tips!)

Cliff

Posted

The few times that I've driven on a plowed road, I brought a shovel and shoveled out a parking spot off-trail if the snow was too deep for 4x4.

In general, the majority of folks will be courteous and respectful. Of course, one rarely notices those people because by the nature of their actions, there presence wasn't noticed. You tend to notice the minority of bad apples that feel entitled and/or are lazy and disrespectful.

Thanks in advance to anyone that's ever plowed an ice road that I've used! I have never seen you but I appreciate you

Posted

As someone that does not drive a truck on a lake I don't think you have any right or expectation of privacy on "your" road. I use a sled or wheeler to go where I want and crossing roads is no fun. Unless of course I take the fish house off and just play with the berms.

Chances are if you plowed a road you are doing it for your own fishing and ability to make it on the lake. I would not be surprised to see others fishing next to you because it must be a good spot that you spent so much time and money to get to. grin

With that said I hate fishing next to anyone and will avoid it when at all possible.

Posted

HNTNBUX,

You are right of course, roads can be tough to cross with ATV's or snowmobiles.

I have done it many times myself but have always been able to do so safely.

You are also smart to get away from the herd as you will usually do much better then they ever will!

Not asking for privacy on plowed road spots, as that is not possible, just asking for a reasonable distance between houses. Most people know what that distance is but a few lazy one just do not care!

Cliff

Posted

grin

Agree that is a weird LAW about fishen 10 feet from a house.

DNR should maybe have a Do-Over on that one.

Can be freaky amount of weight in small areas with trucks, sleds, people, houses an the like.

crazy

Good deal, good deal. Tossing a $20 or even a $5'r at the plow guys is the right thing to do. Big smiles for everyone. Never hurts to prime the pump with lunch or a pop either. It is how you make friends for life. Simple is best.

Cool thing we do round my winter crash zone is have the plow guys make off shoot lil roads.

They do get used an people love them.

Nothing fancy just make them off the road leading to our places like 20 yards deep "J" hooks or even finger Y's.

Aint to hard to do when fishen is slow an people love that stuff.

Saves from drilling on roads. Everyone had his or her own area sort kinda.

laugh

Always gonna have road drillers an people camping next to ya but this lil thing really works.

Not my lake but its is nice to be alone when you feel like it.

I think you all would not handle what I deal with every day to well.

Living 50 miles from crazy town draws a whole mix of everything from fun to evil an mean.

Humans can really suck.

My job in life is to do best I can with what I got an help others become un-sucked!

crazy

10 feet is odd Law for spacing anything but pallets of wood, steel, beer and fruit.

smile .

Wish I had a air view of what we se on Chisago or North Center or Linstrom each day...Wild times.

Enjoy what you have, it is special.

One big huge really cool reason I live on an island all summer as late into fall as I can.

smile

Hey buddy, that's my tip up and the pike that caught on your guys 10 jig'n lines! He made a 30 foot run an he is MINE!

DOH!

I will shut up my fingers now.

Keep on Rocken!

T

Posted

I don't have problem with people using my plowed road. But when some yahoo fishes on top of your fishing grounds it's time for them to keep on walking to the next spot. I'm done plowing until people start paying. It takes alot of time, gas, and wear and tear to operate a plow. Sounds like this winter is gonna be interesting with limited truck movement out there.

Posted

I will shut up my fingers now.

Best way to end a debate comment ever! grin

I dig your spirit T!

Posted

IF you are plowing a road so you and yours can fish - you can expect to have company and people may or may not offer to pay for the convience even IF they know it was you plowing.

I have plowed miles of roads on different lakes so I can set up my wheelhouse or fish with friends. I don't expect anyone to pay just because I plowed a road for myself. If they offer, I normally don't accept, but do ask that they don't drill on the road. I always plow past where I set up as a hint for people to go by.

If people ask me to plow for them or open a spot I will ask for a small fee to cover my gas.

I like to be away from the crowds as much as the next person. My snowmobile and snowshoes work good for that.

Posted

I don't have a problem with people taking advantage of plowed roads but when u setup in the same area is tacky and poor etiquette. I mean I'd feel foolish if I set up on someone's fishing spot. Especially when your fishing a big body of water with plenty of other spots within a half mile.

Posted

I mean I'd feel foolish if I set up on someone's fishing spot.

I don't fish by other people because I don't like people. But just because you plow a road to certain piece of structure that doesn't make it yours for the winter. If you don't like don't plow a road or move. Too many guys with plows that think they own the spot.

Posted

I put "rights" in quotations in the title because I realize that they don't have any more rights to that real estate than anyone else. However, if you are using the benefits of their efforts (plowed road), don't drill holes on the road, don't block the road, and don't fish 10½ feet away from their house. I can't believe that you are allowed to fish as close as 10 feet to somebody else. I'm with 2thepointsetters and always fish well away from others. I always use my snowmobile which allows me to do that, plus I don't need to use plowed roads.

Posted

I can buy the statements above. The early bird gets the worm! Good thing a tipup didn't stand stiff and run threw the yahoo's lines that where fishing up my arse! Then there's problems! I rented a fleet of D-8's to clear the whole lake off! Looking for operators Monday-Thursday for day and night shift. Union wages lol. Whatta circus!

Posted

I put "rights" in quotations in the title because I realize that they don't have any more rights to that real estate than anyone else. However, if you are using the benefits of their efforts (plowed road), don't drill holes on the road, don't block the road, and don't fish 10½ feet away from their house. I can't believe that you are allowed to fish as close as 10 feet to somebody else. I'm with 2thepointsetters and always fish well away from others. I always use my snowmobile which allows me to do that, plus I don't need to use plowed roads.

I think that there is a difference between a house or two standing alone and one of those villages on the ice with like 50 houses in close proximity. In the latter case, I wouldn't feel bad finding some open space and drilling a hole. In the former, give them some room.

It is just like in the summer. There are "community spots" with packs of boats and I don't feel bad if I join the pack. Like below the dam at Redwing, or some spots on Vermilion for opener. On the other hand if I see some guy all by himself I am not going to run right up on him.

Posted

I had my blood pressure raised yesterday. Had a group use the road I plowed to our houses which i have no issue with other then they blocked it and threw their garbage on the ice. Not cool.

Posted

If I had a plow I would plow a road to my area or house and then plow the road closed 25 yards before my house. wink

Posted

That's the best way to stop those that don't respect someone's space.

But if fishing trout, I'd block the road 100 yards away!! laugh

Posted

That's the best way to stop those that don't respect someone's space.

But if fishing trout, I'd block the road 100 yards away!! laugh

The biggest problem with that is that if they thought you were on fish they would actually do some of their own work and shovel a way through your barricade to get close to you! cry They then would be to tired to shovel a spot off of the road and will have to drill holes in the road anyway. grin

Cliff

Posted

The biggest problem with that is that if they thought you were on fish they would actually do some of their own work and shovel a way through your barricade to get close to you! cry They then would be to tired to shovel a spot off of the road and will have to drill holes in the road anyway. grin

Cliff

That would make it even more entertaining!! smile

If they did that, I'd drive about 25 yards from them on my way out, plow the road shut from that side, plow around them through the snow, then seal the other end off!

If they like to shovel enough to remove my blocking pile, let's reeeaallllly give them some exercise, and some privacy!!! gringringringrin

Posted

Just one more reason to travel by snowmobile - especially when visiting the Maki trough. winkgrin

Posted

You got that right, Bro! grin

But, we also have ways of dealing with rogue snowmobilers that "Wander" too close to our areas!! wink

Bwahahahahahahahahaha smilesmilesmile

Posted

Some fishermen don't change,a different species,but I was fishing crappies a mile from the next person,here comes this guy gets out of his truck,starts his power augar and he was so close his ice chips flew in my hole. Sets up starts fishing. No I didn't say much,just one of those days I thought it was better to ignore him. It was a spot nobody had fished all year.

Short story,some people have no brains or ethics.

Posted

But, we also have ways of dealing with rogue snowmobilers that "Wander" too close to our areas!! wink

Yah, I know. You have those great big berms plowed around the houses out 30 yards in every direction... shocked Still haven't figured out exactly why people do that since I'm not a permy kind of guy.

Please pick from the choices below:

(A) To have a nice open space to park and turn the truck around.

(B) To keep the slush under control - move the weight out of the area and expose any water to the air so it freezes.

© Expose the ice so it gets thicker faster.

(D) Promote light penetration to attract the fish.

(E) All of the above.

(F) To claim the bigger area and try to keep others further away.

(G) Cuz I can.

Choose all that apply. whistle

Posted

I don't have a permy either, and will never have one as long as people drill right next to them to fish. This has happened by some houses on Burntside this year.

There is absolutely no reason for anyone to fish within 100 yards of another person, give or take, for lake trout.

There are plenty of lakers all over Burntside, with more than enough area to fish, even on the busiest weekend, so no one should be close to others.

I would guess they want to plow a wide area around their house to allow the ice to get a bit thicker, and try to prevent their houses from freezing in.

Also, it's probably easier to remove the house when you have plenty of room to jockey a vehicle around.

I could care less if someone uses any road I've plowed, but when they choose to drill in the road or next to the guy's house I plowed for, it is quite irritating.

Posted

Youse guys are making me glad I don't ice fish anymore. I'd be afraid of triggering a case of ice rage and getting augered or something.

Posted

Nothing to fear, as a little courtesy goes a long way. Even though the law says 10 feet between houses, common sense is a better guide! wink

Posted

Yah, nothing to fear here neither. I'm just asking the question since I don't normally see the wide open spaces plowed around houses on other lakes like I do on Burntside.

I'm guessing the 10 foot rule came about from the shanty town phenomenon. I've heard it said before that people's houses would get trapped the larger group so they couldn't move it if they had to. Another reason I heard years ago was for fire. One house catches on fire and they didn't want it to spread to the next house 5 feet away. This was back in the days most heat was supplied via wood stoves.

Either way, 10 feet ain't much space. But after that, what is enough space is way too subjective to particular spots and particular people.

Personally, I don't tow my sled far from home to fish on top of others. I can get that here. But I will say I have fished some spots in the past that have had houses placed pretty much on my waypoints (not naming B-side particularly). Maybe I have lots of spots to go to on a lake or maybe I don't but as long as I don't flood your house or block your access, why can't we get along?

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

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