Spearing Hole Blocks

[CrappieAttitude]

Is there a law requiring those who decide to spear to mark their blocks with something? I was out on a lake this weekend and noticed about 10 blocks on the ice without any markings of any sort sitting on top of the ice. I was a little bit PO'd about the whole thing. Didn't see anyone out there, but what would be the appropriate way to go about enforcing this? If any?

I don't spear, but know many who just push the block under the ice. Is there a general ettiquete rule when it comes to these widow makers on the ice?

CA

[brian6715]

I am not sure but I do know if I was a spear fisherman I would be worried about my sport. I am so sick of seeing unmarked holes and blocks on the ice. Someone is going to get killed (snowmobiler, ice skater, fisherman) and it isn't going to be good for the sport. I know most on this site are very good about marking holes and doing things right, and they are bothered by the actions of these others as well... but it only takes one or two serious incidents to really give the sport a bad name. Once that happens, good luck getting new waters opened to spearing or gaining any legislative/public support for your sport!

[bogeyman1]

I haven't speared in a couple years but my son and father in law spear. We always push the block under the ice and when we move we mark the holes with big branches. I have triped on the ice caring a couple buckets and the first thing to hit the ice was my face. When we go on the ice whether by foot, snowmobile, 4 wheeler, car, ice skates. We all take a risk. It's the same risk when I get on the busy hi- way and some [PoorWordUsage] is texting or yaking on his cell phone. We all need to slow down just a notch and observe everything around us.

[mrklean]

most people push the block back in the hole after using and mark it with branches of some sort, i have never been a fan of pushing the block under the hole, this year is a prime example cause the ice takes forever to freeze back up, other years not so much.

[nofishfisherman]

I think the best option is to stick the block back in the hole when you are done. Assuming its not frozen to the ice already. However, regardless of what you do with the block there is a danger associated.

If you put the block back in the hole it may freeze up faster but it may also stick above the ice and pose a danger to snowmobilers/ATV/Cars/trucks. If you push it under the ice the hole won't freeze as fast and can pose a danger to vehicles and also people walking.

Obviously marking the holes well is the biggest thing you can do to prevent someone from running into it by accident. However, people on the ice also need to take responsibility for watching out where they are going. Taking it slow and paying attention should also prevent these accidents from happening.

Don't go flying around a lake at high speeds since you very well could not see a well marked spear hole until you're too close and don't have enough time to react in order to steer around it. Don't go plowing into snow drifts since you don't know whats under them. Maybe its a chunk of ice, maybe its a pressure ridge, maybe its Unlce Jack who fell asleep on his bucket in a snow storm. You just don't know.

When on the ice you need to assume there are dangers everywhere.

[Pooh]

I always pushed mine back in the hole. Unless the hole was froze shut to spend more time opening it then busting the block into little pieces. Which ever was quicker. Typiclly the block went back, and got marked with a branch.

[Eric_Kruger]

I have no issues with blocks on the ice as long as the hole next to it is marked...or the block itself is visible. to me this is no different than when there is 2-3 foot of ice and people leave the mounds of shavings around the holes and they freeze. both can be a potential hazard to fisherman as well as recreational lake users...Biggest thing is just take your time and be careful, and you should be able to avoid any trouble...

[bassNspear]

there isnt a law, its all about respect.

Everyone shoudl take the time to put the block of ice back in the whole. I dont care if you plant a tree 50 feet tall, the fact is if that sled or wheeler is crusing past it and doesnt see the small tree branch, hes going to hit that block, and then what do we got.

You take the time and energy to take it out, push it back in

[OnAFly]

I haven't seen unmarked holes before. I think guys are pretty good about that. I have see blocks sitting 4ft tall out in the open.

[Laska]

I always mark mine with branches, and if I'm out and see one normally I go out of my way to mark it not because I have to but because it keeps me safe and everyone else around, so imo if ya see one unmarked- mark it, yeah it ain't what we go out to do it upsets me to see holes plainly unmarked but id rather take the time to mark it then here my buddy or something fell in a hole that I could have taken the 2min to mark... regardless of how others view spearing in the wrong it ain't going no where $18 extra takes care of people trying to ban it, dnr has a cash flow n that's what matters to them. I wouldnt mind a marking law tho because it is safer. Anyways guys be safe there is tons of idiots out there, good luck n happy fishing!

[MJ1657]

I just can't get why people leave them on the ice.

[moraarcher]

I always push my blocks under. My buddy came by to visit me in the spear house and he had his Aqua view with. We put it down and the block had slid under the ice a long way from the hole. Ice on ice.

[Dooley87]

Here's how I mark mine. Normally I put the block back in but since the hole froze over pretty thick I just chisel the block into small pieces.

[LunkerCity]

I just can't get why people leave them on the ice.

I agree, why take the time or effort to lift it out? I also think it is dangerous. Last week when I got to my house, there had been someone set up less than 20 feet away. Next to the hole laid a giant block of ice with no other hole marker. Just kind of ridiculous. I chopped up the block and walked to shore for a branch(20 yds). Just pure laziness.

[Gordie]

I have done that as well Lunkercity and this year I have marked hole left by regular fish houses that have fell thru the ice I dont understand it myself

[knoppers]

to all those spearers that mark you blocks and holes or push them under, thank you very much.

I have hit one on my snowmobile, luckely I was OK, but my suspension was not. ever since that, I always drive through that area very slow.

[BehindtheHead]

my buddys dad tells a story about when he was younger. he never would mark his holes or push his block back in. one day he was spearing and it was snowing and windy. he was going to go to the local establishment for lunch and on his way off the lake not being able to see well he hit a old block hard. messed up the front suspension on the pick up. come to find out the next day it was his old block!!! he at least pushes his block back in now, im not sure if he marks it though.

[BobT]

My step dad was cruising across a lake at night on a snowmobile one time and hit one of those blocks of ice head-on. His machine flipped end-over-end numerous times and was totaled. Fortunately for him, there was enough snow on the lake to cushion his fall and he suffered minor injuries.

Please don't leave them on the ice! You can't see them at night.

[motley man]

I leave blocks on the ice, but mark them with sticks, etc. Even when marked, when driving to fast they can't be seen until to late. This is a long time thing and everyone must be aware when driving on the ice and remember the dangers. BE CAREFUL !!!!!!!

[Dooley87]

It only takes a minute and a few wacks with a chisel to chop the block up if your hole froze over and you can't push it back in so it doesn't make any sense why someone wouldn't chop their block up even if the hole was marked.

Another pet peeve is when people mark their holes with a long piece of grass or the skinniest shortest twig they can find. I like to put hefty branches in there so people can see it before they are already on top of it.

[Ringtailhunter]

I'm just going to say that maybe people should slow down and look ahead when driving cars, wheelers, snowmobiles on lakes. I mean come on. Yes it would be nice if some one pushed their block in or marked their old holes. I don't think that any reasonable person should be travelling at any speed they can't see a hazard and stop/avoid. It seems at least every year some clown on a sled goes flying through some ones fish house too.

Maybe this should be a thread on safe travelling on a lake, and how never to trust the next guy or mother nature to do the right thing. Plan accordingly.

[nofishfisherman]

I agree. Of course spearfisherman should do all they can to reduce the risk by taking care of the blocks and marking holes but in the end there is only so much that can be done.

People driving on the lake need to be more aware and also not assume that they have nothing but smooth driving all over the lake. I've seen way to many idiots flying around the lake at all hours of the day and night. These guys are going too fast to have enough time to react even if the spear hole is really well marked.

When on the ice everyone needs to pay attention and do what they can to make it as safe as possible. Meaning mark your holes, get rid of the blocks, drive carefully and pay attention. If everyone did that we'd see far fewer incidents.

[Ybone]

It should be mandatory that they either be pushed under or chopped into smaller pieces. They can be very difficult to see on a gray day or at night and the snow can drift around them so they are hidden from view.

[MJ1657]

I leave blocks on the ice, but mark them with sticks, etc. Even when marked, when driving to fast they can't be seen until to late. This is a long time thing and everyone must be aware when driving on the ice and remember the dangers. BE CAREFUL !!!!!!!

Please don't leave them on the ice. All it does is gives us Spearfishing people a black eye.

[LightningBG]

I'm just going to say that maybe people should slow down and look ahead when driving cars, wheelers, snowmobiles on lakes. I mean come on. Yes it would be nice if some one pushed their block in or marked their old holes. I don't think that any reasonable person should be travelling at any speed they can't see a hazard and stop/avoid. It seems at least every year some clown on a sled goes flying through some ones fish house too.

Problem is, if the lake is drifted, its going to be impossible to tell which drift has the block under it. You could be going 2 mph and still knock one good enough to mess stuff up. That block will sit there for the entire rest of the season. Just chop them up or push them back in. Wouldn't be a horrible idea to set the block on a small chunk of 2x4 so it doesn't freeze to the ice. And for whatever its worth, I've never had a problem hitting the mound left by an auger with a sled, its the sharp vertical sides of the blocks that cause problems.