Two-Way Radios and Ice fishing..

[Kylersk]

I just learned you cannot use them to tell your buddies the fish are biting. I knew you couldnt use them when hunting deer.. Just wasnt aware you couldnt use them while fishing.

Also, you need an FCC license to use most of the channels (GMRS), which cost $80 for 5 years. Here I thought I got a good deal on a pair of Motorola Talkabouts......

[umdr6]

Are you kidding? No walkie-talkies when ice fishing??? Where did you see this?

Is it that you can't use them at all? Or just not to tell people that the fish are biting in certain areas?

[Kylersk]

I called the DNR today. The person I spoke to didnt know, but said her supervisor said you cannot use them to aid in catching fish. I asked where it said that in the fishing regulations, and she couldnt find it. *shrugs*

[umdr6]

I would go ahead and say that you cannot "Aid in catching fish" is correct.

I would also say that it is the same for hunting. (Aiding)

I think that you can still use them when hunting or fishing, just not to aid in catching or shooting.

Agree???

~umdr6

[Kylersk]

I agree.. What I'm not sure is.. You and your buddy are set up in seperate houses, but next to each other. You use the walkie talkie to ask "So, how's the fishing?" he replies "I'm doing really well, caught a nice walley and couple crappies". Is that aiding? because you have no intentions of getting any closer to him.. Just curious on how he's doing.

[Lake Alice]

An FCC license? Someone better tell the thousands of down hill skiers of America.

I doubt that this is a law that gets enforced agressively, or prosecuted much. How would anyone ever know if you were saying "they're biting over here" or "We'll meet you at Nodak's at noon"?

[Kylersk]

The family radios (FRS) which operatone on .5 watts do not need an FCC license. If you get one, like mine, that has both FRS and GMRS (1 watt), you need an FCC license if you use the GMRS channels. If I stick tot he FRS channels, no license needed.

[fishermn]

Send an email to the DNR and get the answer to your specific questions. (Email link from the dnr HSOforum) I did this regarding use of a radio during hunting, and they were very helpful.

[Rainman]

Thats funny. A few guys at work were just talking about the same thing today and I told them the exact same thing!

[Kylersk]

Which part rainman? The FCC license or use of Two-way radios while ice fishing?

[Rainman]

The two-way radio deal!

[mnmuzzleloader]

ya we use radio's all the time spearing in the winter, if you have never tried driving northerns while using radio's it is something you have to try!!! I have never heard of not being able to use radio's for fishing. It seems alittle bit far fetched, I guess I am going to have to go back to the can and string!!

[BarryG]

I thought that's why you take a cell phone! If your fishing partner is too far away to yell to then you call on the phone!

[hanson]

Quote:

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ya we use radio's all the time spearing in the winter, if you have never tried driving northerns while using radio's it is something you have to try!!!

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[Walleye Guy]

You are fine as long as you are not using them on a fish drive or using them to tell your buddy that a 12 lb walleye is swimming towards his shack.

[Shawnny B]

Quote:

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I called the DNR today. The person I spoke to didnt know, but said her supervisor said you cannot use them to aid in catching fish. I asked where it said that in the fishing regulations, and she couldnt find it. *shrugs*

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...so if using the Walkie to "aid in catching fish" woudlnt a Vex or Marcum also "aid" you in taking fish? ....or what about Waxies or Hooks ..they all aid? maybe im comeing from a different area but A walkie cannot make a fish bite just like the Cameras ! just my logic ...a lil different I know but Whatdaheck!

[MasterGophHunter]

Yeah, this this is just plain ridonculous! Is this a new law or what? I don't get what a walkie talkie would do to "aid" in catching fish. This is the dumbest law that the DNR has made. What are they thinking?

-MGH-

[wildirishrose]

What about ship to shore radios during soft water, isn't it the same thing as a 2 way radio?

[bwtrout]

The only thing I could find in the regulations that would make radio contact a violation is in regards to a fishing party using a radio to keep tabs on fish limits out of vocal range in separate boats.

• A party is defined as a group of two or more persons:

1) angling from a single watercraft; or

2) if not in a watercraft, maintaining unaided visual and vocal contact

with each other. The total number of fish possessed by the party may

not exceed the combined limits of the numbers of the party. Each

party member may transport only an individual limit of fish.

[slick814]

I'd think that you could talk back & forth on them.

Well.... that is unless you're making a major Northern or Walleye drive. Not a good idea to let the guy know that there's a 20# Pike or 10# 'Eye heading his way.

Seriously, though, the only way I could see them "aiding"

in catching fish would be if you were talking someone through exactly what & how to use, how to fight their fish, etc..