Some tips for a beginner?

[KenM1987]

I'll be going spearing for my first time this weekend and I was wondering if you guys had any tips on where to set up and things like that. Should I be setting up in the same areas where I have success with my tip ups and also how long do you stick it out in an area if you aren't having any luck? Also I'll be setting up my portable and probably leaving it out for days at a time...any tips on keeping that hole from freezing up too much?

[MJ1657]

If you've had success with tip ups you will be ok spearing there as long as the water clarity will allow you to see.

Only way to keep ice out of the hole is to clean it out often or leave the heat on.

I let anyone I know use my house when i'm not there. Makes it easier for me next time I get out.

[vman11]

Weed edges, drop offs and points are good places to start. 6-12' is a pretty normal depth to start, shallower if the clarity is less.

Start where you know you've caught fish before and venture out from there.

[Archerysniper]

The best place I have found is Gordies house

I normally look to the the sharp break lines by a weed flat.

[Gordie]

All great tips but the biggest is paitence if you got tha you will be great at it. n

Have fun is another important one.

Good Luck

[merkman]

Quote:

Darkhouse spearing is a fun and enjoyable way to enjoy our great Minnesota outdoor resources.

As with any outdoor activity we need to be prudent to follow basic outdoor etiquette and saftey while enjoying our sport.

Some thoughts to help everyone enjoy our resources more.

Always be safe and respect the outdoors

Never venture out on thin or unsafe ice.

Maintain your tools; keep ice augers, blades, ice chisels, ice tongs,

and darkhouse spears sharp and well maintained.

Be aware of slick or slippery ice while walking, or moving equipment and/or large blocks of ice.

Lift large blocks of ice safely, if the block is too large break it up before handling it.

When moving from a darkhouse spearing location, always mark your darkhouse spearing holes with wood lath, sticks from the shore our other natural vegetation before leaving, this will minimize the risk of someone falling into your darkhouse spearing hole.

Never leave blocks of ice on the ice after leaving a location. Break up the blocks with your ice chisel or push them back in the hole before leaving.

Only take what you will eat and eat what you take.

Practice Responsible Selective Harvest though catch and release and look and release.

Aways know and follow Daily and Possesion limits for the water body you are fishing.

Take a meal of fresh fish home to enjoy but you don't have to take every fish home.

Leave the lake better than you found it.

Pick up your trash as you generate it.

If you see trash on the lake, take the extra time to pick it up, even if you did not put it there.

Mark any unmarked spear holes you may see on the ice.

Break up or sink any ice chunks others may have left on the lake.

Respect your neighbors on the lake

When selecting a spot to fish on a lake, maintain good "buffer zones" around those already fishing. The lakes are big enough for all of us to enjoy. If someone is on "your spot" search out another spot to fish on the lake, you may just find a new hotspot