Sheriffs shuting down all public launches?!

[TKOGWEE]

Silly town? Come on, really! 150 posts and over 7000 views. Seems like this has been a topic folks are taking an interest in. If it bothers you, DON'T READ IT. Amateur, you think wisely.

Next year we should use this wonderful resource, hotspotoutdoors.com, to keep a thread going that offers people a readily available place to offer input and check up on how the ice is on a lake they want to fish. I do understand that there will always be people that will lie to keep people off of "their" lake so they catch more fish. But seriously, I think that if we keep our brothers informed, they will not make stupid decisions that affect the rest of us. It's up to us to care for and educate those that don't understand what large schools of carp in shallow lakes, channels, streams, rivers, points, under ice currents, weird weather, wind, pressure ridges, ect, can do to the development or deterioration of ice. If we all do that, there will be no need for big brother to FEEL like they need to take care of us. Lets take care of our fellow fisher people so that the law doesn't feel they need to.

[DuckBlind]

Why not just fish in another county?

[DTro]

It's up to us to care for and educate those that don't understand what large schools of carp in shallow lakes, channels, streams, rivers, points, under ice currents, weird weather, wind, pressure ridges, ect, can do to the development or deterioration of ice. If we all do that, there will be no need for big brother to FEEL like they need to take care of us. Lets take care of our fellow fisher people so that the law doesn't feel they need to.

We've been doing that for over 10 years here. It doesn't really matter (what we do or what we say) to those that decide it's unsafe though. All it takes is a whirlwind of media hype and a few doughballs taking a 3/4 ton truck on 10" of ice to get law enforcements attention. The media knows best right? I've been told by a hundred people this year how bad the ice is.....from people who have never been on the ice in their life.

[vman11]

We've been doing that for over 10 years here. It doesn't really matter (what we do or what we say) to those that decide it's unsafe though. All it takes is a whirlwind of media hype and a few doughballs taking a 3/4 ton truck on 10" of ice to get law enforcements attention. The media knows best right? I've been told by a hundred people this year how bad the ice is.....from people who have never been on the ice in their life.

I struggle with this too. Some guys think I'm crazy to take an ATV on 8" of clear ice, all while resorts are buzzing around in their trackers. I heard the same song and dance when it came to late season fishing last spring.

Safe ice is relative depending who you talk to. Kind of like "hot" fishing. What is safe to one can be ridiculously unsafe to others. I try to block it out and use my common sense and best judgement. It's a no-win arguement, escpecially with folks who are uneducated about ice safety.

[mallardnwalleye]

"maybe this is a great example of a reason to have everyday trained volunteers work hand in hand with sheriffs dept. providing them detailed current data on what is or is not safe. maybe not to look at this event with a scorn or scowl but a learning time for those who beleive it is still safe in some areas and commuicate that in a positive way to those who make the decisions in the office regarding what ice is or is not safe"

Amen to that idea Amateurfishing- We could start a wiki on here. We would take maps and have folks post known weak spots and current conditions. Someone could also volunteer to help mark spots on the lake for the sherriffs. Personally the sherriff departments signs are not adequete. In some cases they are 1 ft. tall and on little sticks with a white background. An orange snow fence is all that would have have to have been put up on Bald Eagle this year. They did not have to shut the whole lake down.

Who's up for it? I'll do the lakes I know.

[muskE]

Silly town? Come on, really! 150 posts and over 7000 views. Seems like this has been a topic folks are taking an interest in. If it bothers you, DON'T READ IT.

While I appreciate the interest and the energy in this thread it also reminds me about the paranoia about Y2K and our impending doom at the end of this year. I've only seen a handful of useful suggestions and a bunch of whining. If you don't like what's going on in Hennepin county (the government body we elected) why aren't you doing something about it? Everyone seems to have an opinion but nobody wants to take action.

I'd like to challenge someone that feels so strongly about their rights being infringed upon to organize a collective voice and make a presentation to their representative(s) to take action for change.

[Sonicrunch]

Why not just fish in another county?

I like this.

[mallardnwalleye]

muskE

No paranoia here, just a good old banter that let's us all voice opinions, facts, and beliefs that we can all learn from. It's what makes our country and it's culture so great- at least in my opinion.

This kind of talk would never happen or be allowed in China or Russia and in Sweden it would be frowned upon socially.

I believe spreading the word here that this is an unsound decision (IMO) and letting the politically elected (Sheriff) official know that the shut down is a poor decision is important. I encourage others to not vote for Stanek next election if they don't have a strong belief one way or another and if the other candidate is less likely to make rash decisions and take away privliges or rights. Or just send him an email letting him know how you feel.

I realize that this isn't a large issue like the federal budget deficit, balance of payments deficit, bank bailouts, internet spying without warrants and on and on.......but it is something we have more control over and for many of us affects what we spend 8-10 hrs a week doing and enjoying.

As for solutions-I agree it's time to do something positive.

LETS START A THREAD OR A WIKI THAT SHOWS KNOWN WEAK AREAS AND CURRENT ICE THICKNESS AND QUALITY. Maybe this site could make it a sticky.

[amateurfishing]

vman, i totally understand the "hot fishing" debate...this is why ppl need to report actual facts and compare apples to apples for this to be consistent and work properly. actually provide ice thickness, amount of snow, how far out from shore, maybe gps coordinates for locations, etc. you could not use opinions like "ice is good or questionable" because that is not real data. but if there was a way to report ice thickness, movement or any other info that relates to ice safety that true comparing & informative decisions can be made. i am by no means an ice or ice fishing expert (only my second year), but find all of the bantor hear slightly humorous as we do live in a democracy and positive changes can be made if thought out and everyone channels their angry thoughts for a more positive, educated, thought out decision making scenario in the future.

a smart easy answer would be just go fish outside the county somewhere, i honestly dont think the ones that are upset about this are thinking like that, they are just upset on how much they think their personal rights have been violated and cannot think beyond that.

everyone in the county has a right to vote for/not for stanek in next election, but if you contact sherrifs office and ask them why the decision was made and possibly add to the process of making such a decision instead of just voting someone out of office cause u thought they made a bad decision when the sherrif only made it based on current law does nothing to change the process for the next sherrif, u may only get the same outcome.

proper information provides knowledge and knowledge is power. for those of u not happy with the decision, if u only change the person making the decision but the same decision making process is not changed for the next sheriff, then you have changed nothing. If you attempt to do it smartly with a plan and goal, your end result may be a much better outcome for all.

[IcePro]

Will the current closing of lake access take precedent when you can first drive on a lake next ice fishing season.

[Hoffer]

Amateur = well said.

Icepro = I kind of doubt it. Unless we get another weird year in a row. I am hoping for a nice "normal" winter with some good freezing temps and not a lot of snow right away. I will "never say never" but I think this decision was based on one crazy, crazy Winter.

I will add I walked on to a very metro lake Sunday. 5 minute walk to the spot and 5 minute walk back. Had 8 flags in 3 hours. Would I have preferred to drive? Of course. But it was all good - and I didnt mind it all.