Need Ice!

[Ice Hunter]

Man I am already looking forward to this Ice season its super hot right now and I keep thinking of my great ice fishing memorys. I am ready and wating, even working on the ice shanty already. Lets keep this Form alive!

[Box]

I'm looking forward, but honestly cant say that I can't wait ;) too many good days left this summer, and plenty of duck hunting to go. But yeah, I have the portable above my workbench so I look at it everyday and it will be nice that first clear ice trip!

And in MN they removed the need for ice shelter license for portables, so that is cool, even though I already have mine... heh.

Seeing the first flag of the season will be cool.
-Box

[Crappie Kid]

I miss the ice too. The last couple of seasons in the midwest were short.

[seedtree]

I hear you guys. Its been hot and predicted to get hotter over the next several days. Lucky if I can get the house semi-cool (Texas air conditioning, MT-style) over night before it heats up again.

Still lots of good softwater fishing to go though. Especially fall fishing - my favorite. Between Labor Day and Halloween are my favorite times to fish. Looking forward to a bit cooler/shorter days and the cooler/longer nights that trigger the fish to stock up for winter. Also, the fishing spots that are now packed with people become my private fishing lakes/reservoirs/rivers.

I have been charging my hardwater batteries periodically. Thinking of sending my auger to Strikemaster for a tuneup soon. Also, get my reserve auger blades resharpened.

The earliest we get dependable good ice in SE MT is around the middle of December. So I've got a ways to go still. LOL.

Tight lines.

[Box]

You reminded me, I have to send my LX5 to Marcum to fix a minor issue (my NBT button light does not light, but it works), so I will do that. I have charged it twice so far this summer, just to keep batt good. I think I will also fire up old smokey, my Jiffy Model 30 - it is like me, not at all lightweight but usually works ;)

-Box

[EJ]

With all the heat this past week, I was laying in my hammock dreaming of hard water. Only 4 and 1/2 months now.

EJ

[L.O.W. guy]

Where did you hear about the change in the portable fish house regs
I was on the MN DNR web site and didn't see anything

[Box]

Originally at a different forum, but I don't see it mentioned in the DNR site now either. Here is Chris Niskanen's article on it:

Fishing And Hunting / Longer seasons, fewer licenses and other changes in the law
BY CHRIS NISKANEN
Outdoors Editor
Article Last Updated: 05/25/2007 12:18:20 AM CDT


Minnesota legislators have approved a long list of new laws benefiting hunters and anglers, particularly ice anglers. Here's a breakdown.

Ice Fishing: Longer License Season /

Minnesota's fishing license year no longer ends the last day of February. Lawmakers extended the date to April 30, giving anglers two more months to fish before they have to buy a new license. The rule also applies to permanent fish house licenses. Anglers often complained that year-round panfish season was still open in late winter and early spring, but they had to buy a new license in order to fish.

Portable ice fishing shelters that aren't left overnight on lakes no longer require a license, saving owners the annual $11.50 fee. Portable shelter owners have complained for years about paying for the license since they're not staying overnight on lakes. However, permanent shelters, whether with wheels or skids, still need a fish-house or dark-house license if they stay on the lake overnight.

There is a new three-year fish house license for permanent shelters.

Resident adults or guardians won't need a fishing license if they take a youth (younger than 16) ice fishing during Take a Kid Ice Fishing weekend. A date hasn't been announced. The program duplicates the Take a Kid Fishing weekend, scheduled for June 8-10.

Lighted fish decoys for spearing are now legal.
Other Fishing Laws /

Anglers who catch a fish out of season or outside other legal limits have a new definition for how long they can hold it before putting it back into the water. The new definition of "immediately released" or "immediately returned to water" allows anglers enough time to identify, unhook, measure and photograph a fish. It does not allow an angler to put the fish on a stringer or in a livewell, cooler or bucket.

Nonresident fishing license fees have increased, in part to cover the estimated $768,000 that will be lost by not requiring licenses for portable ice fishing shelters. An annual individual nonresident license costs $39.50, up from $34; three-day, seven-day, family and husband/wife nonresident license fees also increased.A $2 invasive species program surcharge also was added.

An angler in a dark house or fish house can fillet fish or possess fish fillets within size limits if the angler is preparing the fillet or fish for a meal. In the past, anglers could not possess fillets on lakes with special regulations because DNR officers have difficulty determining if the filleted fish were within legal limits.

Commercial netters can take up to 3,000 lake trout from northern regions of Minnesota waters of Lake Superior and sell them. Restaurateurs and commercial netters wanted lake trout available for consumption.

Anyone catching an Asian carp (bighead, silver or grass species) is required to report it to the DNR within seven days.

The DNR must study the diet habits of fish-eating cormorants on Lake of the Woods.
Hunting Laws /

Crossbows can be used to take deer during the regular firearms deer season, but hunters must use a firearms license. Crossbows are still illegal (with exceptions) during the archery season.

Novice hunters with an "apprentice" license won't need a hunter safety certificate as long as they are with a hunter who has one. The idea is to give novice hunters some experience afield with safety-certified hunters.

The DNR is required to prepare a walk-in-hunting access plan and recommend options for implementing the program, which still isn't funded. The report is due to the Legislature by Jan. 15, 2008. Hunters have longed wished for an access program similar to those in South and North Dakota.

The draw weight for bows used to take big game has been reduced from 40 pounds to 30 pounds, which makes bowhunting easier for hunters with disabilities and youth.

Hunters no longer need to possess the actual images of the pheasant and waterfowl stamps. They only need the electronic endorsement. Trout and turkey pictorial stamps were eliminated in previous legislation.

Smokeless powders are now legal for muzzleloaders.

Night-vision equipment is no longer legal for taking wild animals.

A new venison donation program will fund the processing of deer for food shelves.
What Didn't Pass / A proposal to increase the daily pheasant limit from two to three cocks after the first 16 days of the season didn't pass. The pheasant possession limit also remains unchanged.

Chris Niskanen can be reached at 651-228-5524 or cniskanen@pioneerpress.com.

[swantucky]

I am ready for the ice. I don't softwater fish nearly as hard as I do on the ice. I am ready for a long eye season on Erie. I don't want to skip bowseason but it has become passing the time till we get ice.

[Box]

Sooo... getting closer :)

I got my LX-5 tuned, charged it up, charged up the ol' AquaVu, and got the ol' minnow aerator out and bought some 1# propane cylinders on sale at Menards. No new lures or hooks or equipment yet, but I am sure that is coming, ha!

A local specialty store is hosting a "share your ice house modifications" day in September, I think I might go and check that out, as they will have discount pricing on stuff that I ABSOLUTELY NEED!!! ha!

-Box

[Crappie Kid]

Reminder to self - Get the Strikemaster fuel leak fixed!