fishhouse freeloaders

[bogwalker]

Read the Minnesota State Statutes. It is all there in print.

[Walterwontfalter]

I don't care if the laws prohibit it or not. If I catch you in my fish house and you haven't asked me for permission...we're gonna tangle.

I would never dream of entering someone else's fish house without permission and so pompous as to think that I had a "Right" to fish there.

[BartmanMN]

As a kid you pay for a ticket at a sporting event in the upper deck, then you look for a better seat, however you are always nervous that the person with the actual ticket may arrive. I couldn't imagine what it would feel like sitting in someone elses fish house, waiting to see if someone pulls up. That would take some Balls if you ask me.

[bogwalker]

You are missing the point. The statement has been made that they could be charged with a crime. That statement is not true. Nobody said it was ethical or acceptable.

[Surreal Deal]

I remember one occasion when I was a kid someone had used our house. They were pretty good about it, the only way we could tell that they had been there was a little bit of red candle wax that they left behind. It didn't seem to concern my dad too much but as a kid I remember being a little creeped out by it.

Later after I got my own house (A fold up portable) I left it out overnight on Bald Eagle and somebody "used" it all right, as a bathroom! That time I was creeped out AND grossed out.

Years later I sold that portable to a friend of mine who lived on Freemont in Zimmerman - And it was stolen right off the ice in front of his house!

I like the good samaritan stories in this thread but there is absolutely NO WAY that I would ever leave a shelter unattended on the ice again. I know that doesn't help you permanent shack guys, but my experiences plus my desire to keep on exploring new waters has led me down a different path.

[Sonicrunch]

well, this thread went downhill.

[bogwalker]

well, this thread went downhill.

You are right. I am going fishing now and I am using my own portable.

[grpd]

Bogwalker if you look at state statues 609.52, theft, 609.582 burglary, 609.609 tresspassing I think they all very clearly state what can be done and a fish house does fall in these catagories. I am by far no expert on these but if you read them it clearly states it is what it is. If you ever read the paper on court results you will see that there are plenty of persons charged with crimes for entering or stealing from fish houses. Just one last thing on water being public, it is but there are laws covering public waters in fact if I have a fish house set up on ice by law you are not suppose to set up within 10 foot of it,

[bogwalker]

Bogwalker if you look at state statues 609.52, theft, 609.582 burglary, 609.609 tresspassing I think they all very clearly state what can be done and a fish house does fall in these catagories. I am by far no expert on these but if you read them it clearly states it is what it is. If you ever read the paper on court results you will see that there are plenty of persons charged with crimes for entering or stealing from fish houses. Just one last thing on water being public, it is but there are laws covering public waters in fact if I have a fish house set up on ice by law you are not suppose to set up within 10 foot of it,

I enter your fish house through an unlocked door. I sit down and fish. I leave the fish house as I found it. What would you charge me with? Please quote the statute, Thanks grpd

[pulleye16]

609.605, Minnesota Statutes

(4) occupies or enters the dwelling or locked or posted building of another, without claim

of right or consent of the owner or the consent of one who has the right to give consent, except

in an emergency situation;

[bogwalker]

609.605, Minnesota Statutes

(4) occupies or enters the dwelling or locked or posted building of another, without claim

of right or consent of the owner or the consent of one who has the right to give consent, except

in an emergency situation;

609.605 sub. 1 (1) REAL PROPERTY means Real Estate. Not the surface of a frozen lake.

[Getanet]

My buddy and I put a converted camper out on a lake near Maple Grove this winter. We left it unlocked and I haven't been able to check on it for nearly a week, so I'm getting nervous. I'm hoping that worse case scenario someone just uses it as a fish house. Would really hate to see it used as a bathroom.

I guess if I found someone using it respectfully, and they weren't burning through all of our propane, I would just ask them to leave. I wouldn't be so nice if they weren't being respectful.

Personally, I would never use someone else's house. Even if it was a someone I knew, I would be sure to ask permission first.

[bogwalker]

I was not trying to start a debate. That is all I have to say. Time to go fishing!

[Shack]

You know it is funny leaving anything on the ice is legal

I have had a couple local perm houses over the years. Kept them unlocked and never cared if anyone used them. One time on Twin lakes in ER I showed up and just let the guys have the house while I went to some other areas. This was back in my teens.

I wonder if the "unlocked" rule applies? I know if your front door is unlocked (at least with law enforcement) it is considered a legal open invite to enter. Why would a fish house be any diffrent?

As far as trying to compare sitting in an empty unlocked fish house to stealing a car or boat, I would say that is a major stretch.

Any basic perm of mine on a local lake is open to anyone who wants it. That is how it was back in the day out in the country. All it takes is those city folks with their locks and statutes to start a ruckus!

I guess maybe it is just me, but never had any problem with the perm houses I built or was involved with over those years.

[Surreal Deal]

All it takes is those city folks with their locks and statutes to start a ruckus!

Honestly Shack, which do you think came first - the locks and statutes, or the ruckus?

[grpd]

Your right time to go fishing myself, but real property is the fish house even on a frozen lake, remember Sam Mc Cloud, this is exactly what we are chatting about, he is the one that now requires a conservation officer of such to annouce and be admitted before they can now come in your fish house without a warrant, it is a building, dwelling or whatever

[BizzityB]

There has to be a law against this. What is really sad is lets say you put a note on the door welcoming anyone to fish in your house. I would say thats awesome use it and clean when I am done. Now lets say there is no sign but the door is open. So you decide to use it. You cut yourself on something and need stiches. The person who entered the Shack could sue the owner of that shack. The reason behind this is that it is licensed. Even though the door was open it didn't state keep out. Therefore the owner of the property is responsible. The law is true you cannot enter someone else's shack with out permission becuase it is trespassing. It is just like a car, snowmobile, boat, 4 wheeler, jet ski, your home, cabin Ect.

[kittycatcher16]

I would never enter someone else's fish house that i didnt know...Simply put, Get your own shack whether it be portable or perm. Even if you cant afford one, there is portables out there for next to nothing. If you wanna play the game get the gear. I dont go out duck hunting and ask someone if I can use their decoys..

[Sutty]

It doesn't matter what the laws are. What matters is there are lots of slobs that hunt and fish and will beg borrow or steal anything they can.

[wplatehunter]

One time after that we started to lock it.

[zamboni]

Why did Eve have to eat that apple? That's why theres locks on things.

[Eric Wettschreck]

I think in the history of the perm house I have now, more "Other" people have used it than I have. I've never had a problem with others using it and as long as things don't get ruined I'll never have a problem with others using it.

Actually, I welcome others to use it, especially if they have youngsters with them. Would I just walk up to a strangers shack and use it? No.

I've walked into my shack and saw some very interesting things. Thank you notes, 10 dollar bills, box of beer, and even a note saying, "I had your propane tank filled."

Some of the people that use it are friends of mine and I know they are using it. Other people that use it I have no clue who or when they were in it, and I don't care as long as things stay on the up and up.

I don't live in a very populated area. Maybe this has something to do with the good treatment of my shack. Maybe, maybe not, I don't know.