Plowed Lake Roads "Rights"

[Great Outdoors]

Tracy,

Lake Trout fishing is not the same as Crappie, Bluegill, or Walleye, where most of the "village" mentality occurs.

I think there has been some sort of mystique created that leads people to think that someone with a permie knows something special about an area, and they want in on the take. This has been encouraged by some fishing forums when replies are, "just go where others are fishing if you don't know the lake...."

Many Lake Trout fishermen understand this need for giving some space, some do not. All you need to successfully fish Burntside is about 45-60 FOW around some island or near one of the many reefs, and you're good to go. There are hundreds of places like that, far more than fishermen on the lake at any time. You know yourself that a good size Laker can strip off hundreds of feet of line. If you're fishing in 60 FOW when you hook one, that fish can mathematically be almost 100 yards away from you, and can tangle in the lines of anyone closer. This is why I preach the 100 yard buffer zone.

Everyone can get along if they don't get too close for Lakers, but some don't understand this, or don't care.

The few that don't care, make those that plow say heck with it.

[delcecchi]

But it is not just the lake trout fishermen guarding "their roads" and getting all bent out of shape. Just look around the forums and you see it all over. Especially the guys who, (trying to put this delicately), make money selling access to the public fish and water.

[JerkinLips]

Laker1 - maybe you should have "tried" the fishing locations in front of his front tires and behind his back tires using a 10" auger.

[Mike Stark]

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?

A couple weekends ago I had a couple guys set up their portable close enough to my shack that we were getting interference from their electronics. That was annoying. Lake trout are always moving around a piece of structure. I feel that if other people set up close on the same structure you are fishing the same fish. That means less fish for everyone.

My house and the structure I am fishing is close to the main road. People have been parking on the main road to fish the structure. That is fine as long as they don't block the road or drill holes in the road. And of course give me some space. Like G.O said there are lake trout everywhere in the winter. No need to set up on top of each other! It will make fishing better for everyone.

[laker1]

Laker1 - maybe you should have "tried" the fishing locations in front of his front tires and behind his back tires using a 10" auger.

A lot did go thru my mine,lucky I was in a mellow mood that day.

[Wanderer]

Laker 1,

I had a similar experience on Big Sany one time and agree it was rediculous. I was fishing structure, but not micro structure, by myself when a guy pulls between the front of my portable and my wheeler that's about 25 feet away and starts drilling. I had to walk around him to get to my rig. Weird... Not mad, just baffled.

Mike and Jim,

I agree with pretty much everything you say about laker fishing and even in our group we have pretty light coverage on any given spot. I'm not one to fish close to a shack on a favorite spot if someone is in it but don't feel bad about setting up in the fishy zone if the shack is unoccupied. Seems like even doing that ruffles shack owners feathers though. Yep, lots of spots but we all have favorites for one reason or another..

"I will shut up my fingers now"

[Mike Stark]

"I will shut up my fingers now"

Good Tommy quote.

When those guys set up real close we were not in the shack at the time. We were fishing a different spot in the morning. I'm sure that didn't help our cause. And I have to be honest that a while back when I didn't know squat about Burntside I set up near a guys shack because he wasn't there and it was a spot I had fished before and it was close to the road. Well he showed up about an hour after I set up. I packed up and moved once he showed up. I am pretty sure everyone that has set up near me is from out of town and didn't expect to find such limited access on the lake. I guess I can cut them a little slack. I just want to catch lots and lots of fish!

[laker1]

I agree if your not out there and they set up within the vicinity of your shack,I would be more forgiving than if I was there. Everybody has equal right to the water.

If I was close to their house,like you I would move if they came out. It also depends on what species your fishing for how much distance apart. Lake trout I like the more distance the better.

Its all about common sense sometimes some just don't realize what they are doing,and some don't care.

[JakeJ_Mn]

A - B and G for me I try not to leave to large a berm when I plow, but sometimes it's not possible. I have some 4' wood stakes with reflectors on that I place in the banks around my house. When I am done - my wheelhouse comes with me. I only use my snowmobile for ice fishing. I would hope that others would know where they are riding, especially at night.

Normally, after plowing I always get company - it's ok they must think I am on the SPOT.

[uffdapete]

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

Thank you!

From someone who drives on lakes but has never owned a plow, I appreciate your perspective and also what you do - the time, energy and investment, and the least we can do is show some respect by giving you plenty of space.

[Great Outdoors]

But it is not just the lake trout fishermen guarding "their roads" and getting all bent out of shape. Just look around the forums and you see it all over. Especially the guys who, (trying to put this delicately), make money selling access to the public fish and water.

I'm only talking about Burntside:

It isn't about lake trout fishermen getting all bent out of shape guarding "their" roads, it's about those that use these plowed roads.

If they use them & don't care where they drill holes to fish, people with plows (there aren't that many) will eventually stop the free service.

I've never met anyone who cares that the roads are being used, just the lack of courtesy by a small hand full that give others a bad name.