Straight dope on effects of traffic noise on ice fishing

[Cove]

Fished a lake twice within the past 10 days and had good luck both times for panfish in 20 plus fow. The general area is long and narrow.

Today was near 40 degrees and a Saturday. The place was a zoo. Snowmobiles, ATVs,cars and trucks ran back and forth. A group about 50 yards from me ran a gas generator that sat directly on the ice.

The fishing reminded me of late January. Sluggish and shy.

Should I have just folded up and moved to a quieter spot or is the noise factor over rated?

[Cicada]

I don't know that there is a "straight dope" in this matter. Everyone will have an opinion. I once saw a video (that should date the info)that said any noise above the ice is insulated from the water column. They showed the difference between an ice auger and an ice chisel. You could hear virtually nothing of the auger, but could hear the pounding of the chisel. The quieter day, bite wise, may have been affected by other factors including weather or increased pressure. Community holes usually are community holes because they will produce fish on a more consistent basis even with increased traffic and pressure. I don't mind fishing a community hole, but I do like to get away from the crowds too. In my case, though, I have a poc 2wd pickup and am forced to stay on the beaten paths most of the time.

[GSP4ME]

I will say this and this is just my expierence from last week. I was on Upper Red and was fishing Christmas Day. Almost nobody out there, Did really good. The next day, the morning started off good and then by 10 there was a steady stream of traffic going by and the fish had shut down. I would say the noise effects them. Just me though

[wishing for walleyes]

Can`t count how many times I have seen my fat heads come to life as a vehicle is coming at you cracking the ice.

[WalleyeBIZ]

Sound definately affects em!!

[Genofish]

I have experinced noise either way, better or worse

[bk_MN_iceman]

Cove, I think we were on the same lake. There was a guy chasing snowmobiles in a grand am - he had to be going at least 50+ mph it was insane. Actually everyone was going way too fast. There are spots we hit on that lake that were 10 or less inches of ice and yet full sized trucks pulling houses EVERYWHERE. I felt very unsafe out there yesterday. Too many people, and too many idiots. Fishing was slow as well everywhere I went.

[2thepointsetters]

Too many weather variables to say it was the noise. Look at the weather system that came across MN yesterday.

[Cove]

Thanks for all the input, gang.

I know the weather changed abruptly, over night, but rather thought fishing (and hunting deer) was good right before those honker high pressure systems came through. I fished on the 27th from 3 - 5 and at 8 pm wind switched to W NW and elevated. The barometric pressure increased too. Always a puzzle. I was on foot or would have explored other areas more.

[Gordie]

Quote:

Always a puzzle.

That's why its called fishing and not catching.

I have witness a few bizarre experiences related to noise on the ice and the bite.

Once when on Mille Lacs, our fishhouse was 25 ft off of the main road and when ever anyone would drive by the perch would start biting. It was as if they were pushed our way when a car drove by. We laughed and waved at everyone as they drove by.

I do know that the decoy suckers I use for spearing go nuts when someone walks by the house also. I also know a guy the runs a small generator 25 ft away from his spear shack so his daughter can watch movies while he spears and he usually spears a few pike.

I have also caught fish threw the ice while someone is auguring a hole right next to me.

I think its timing thing and noise can also benefit fishermen much like other hunters in your area on state land. If you plan it right you can use there movements to help your hunt be successful.