Duck opener/Bass fishing

[Lammboy]

Have any of you fished a lake with duckhunters also hunting? I went out last year to whaletail on duck opener and was trying to get to the Tail section of the lake but there was a duck hunter setup kind of in the little channel to get to the tail section of the lake. I did go through but felt really bad as I'm sure he wasn't to happy with me getting that close to his decoys.

What should fishermen do in these cases? I didnt fish near his decoys but the way he set everything up it was impossible to not get that close to his decoys and etc.

Afterwards I fished for a few hours and left and he was gone. Any of you run into this before?

[TR21]

Run into it every year, duck and goose hunters. Thats just the way it is this time of the year. Hopefully evryone respects each others space and get along. Honestly, more times than not,

I'll just go out a little later if I'm fishing and the hunters are usually coming off as I'm putting in. When I'm hunting I'll extend the same respect to those fishing so that there's no problem. Again, It's just that time of year.

[TruthWalleyes]

I asked the same question from a duck hunters perspective. Here are some responses of a current thread.

http://www.fishingminnesota.com/forum/ub..._Ea#Post2023112

I have never fished a lake while someone was hunting, nor have i hunted a lake while someone was fishing. I'm interested to hear both sides of the story!

[g_anoka]

My personal experience is do your best to respect everyone on the water. In my case, I am going to sleep in tomorrow.

[mainbutter]

If you're going to fish spots with hunters, you have to put up with it.

If you're going to hunt spots with fishermen, you have to put up with it. Give each other room, or else both your sports suffer.

It's up to the hunters to pick spots that aren't the best fishing spots. It's up to the mobility of the fishermen to do the best to avoid hunters' decoys.

We're all out to have a good time, I think most people are respectful of space, and understand that no one really can "claim" sole ownership of a spot. The people who are going to be jerk-baits don't care, and nothing we say will change that.

So for everyone out there who's fishing like me, just remember to keep an eye out for decoys, play nice, and share

just my .02c

[Cecil]

I put a couple goose flags in my boat and they could care less where I go

[ikeslayer]

i have been a long time ducker and converted basser but early in the year like this local ducks and geese are very comfortable around fishing boats as they have never been threatened by a boat especially with sparkle i have even had geese land in the decoys with fisherman less than 100 yards away. however as the season progresses northern ducks don't like humans at all - cause there is no people in canada. like has been said respect everyone on the water and when it comes down to it i think a duck hunter trumps a basser just cause they only get 60 days to do it and bassers get alot of days and not to mention they have guns. Be safe out there.

[BigGrassBass]

The bottom line is respect.

I just got turned on to duck hunting last year by a buddy. Best time I ever had.

If you give me my space I'm going to give you yours. It's that simple. If you have to pass right by please do so as quickly and quietly as possible.

There are always going to be a few jerk-baits. Not a whole lot you can do about that except to not sink to their level.

All in all, be safe, have fun, and don't hesitate to give a little waive or a tip of the cap as you slip by!

[74mph]

I was out on Forest Lake Sunday morning fishing Bass/Musky. I pulled up on a point with a nice dropoff structure that Ive had good Musky hang on before. I put down the trolling motor start working along the shore and I look off in the distance and see a little bunch of ducks sitting on the water, followed by some fake sounding duck calls. Then I look back into the reeds a little further... Everything starts to cometogether when I see three little black stocking hats popped up in amongst the reeds.

With all the camo gear I really couldnt see them until I was that close. It was funny. I was frustrated at first but considered their frustration as well and moved quickly out of their hunting zone.

I wish they could wear blaze so I could see them better. From now on Ill use the binoculars to check out those little flocks of ducks.

-Rookie mistake! - Sorry guys

[TruthWalleyes]

But an honest mistake, I believe you did the right thing.

I was a little nervous saturday morning. First duck boat at the landing, we shoved off and used the trolling motor until i could get my motor started...turns out that wasn't going to happen. So as we slowly make our way to the "duck hunting end of the lake" another boat pulls into the landing and starts cruising our way, no light, no flash lights etc. They go to their spot in the darkness, as we get closer and are looking to set up, all i want to know is where are these other guys at??? Shined the whole shoreline with my spotlight and finally saw a reflection..assuming it was the hunters we set our decoys at a safe distance and waited for shooting hours.

1) When on a lake during darkness, you need a light

a)so you can see

b)so others know where you are

c)its the law!

Makes me nervous when hunters do not bring any flashlights at all! Not knowing with 100% confidence of these guys location i was very clear to the other two in my boat of where to not shoot, until it is light enough to see bodies.

Bring your lights guys!!!

[TruthWalleyes]

then again, lights may not be the only issue

http://www.fishingminnesota.com/forum/ub...ard#Post2032138