Trash on the lakes

[H20fowlr]

I was on Round Lake Saturday and filled a big black lawn trash bag from the trash left by others. At first I thought it was kids, but then realized that the beer cans were frozen in the holes, and the cigarette packs, pop bottles, food wrappers..... were all from fishermen.

As we all know the impact on the resources, and the negative political impact on our sport, there is another impact that may go unoticed. I had to explain to my 4 year old that this is not what sportsmen do. The only good that came about it was that he helped make the ice cleaner than when we started.

Please clean up after yourself, it's part of the process, just like, driilling a hole, or changing your line, or setting up or taking down the house. Taking your trash off the ice is one of the last things you do while ice fishing.

[_Brad_]

Well done.

[walleyeiceguy]

Well put. I started taking an extra trash bag out myself for just this issue. I think we should all be more aware of the impact trash leaves on the lake, and what it says for ice fishermen. Lets all keep this sport clean and environmentally friendly.

[fishing41]

I get so p.o.'d when I see/hear about that happening. I can't believe those who are out enjoying the outdoors could care so little about it. Thanks for cleaning up after others. We all appreciate it............Daryl.

[Kodiak]

what would help is if they kept the trash cans from the summer at the boat launches during the winter. It seems at the lake i go to all the trash bins are gone in the winter. If there were trash bins i bet some of the problem would go away,,but you still have slobs on the lake that do not care. It would be nice to have trash cans at the launch so i could put the garbage i pick up left behind by slobs instead of taking it home to my trash.

[Kodiak]

what would help is if they kept the trash cans from the summer at the boat launches during the winter. It seems at the lake i go to all the trash bins are gone in the winter. If there were trash bins i bet some of the problem would go away,,but you still have slobs on the lake that do not care. It would be nice to have trash cans at the launch so i could put the garbage i pick up left behind by slobs instead of taking it home to my trash.

[Ryan_V]

well said H2O.... Kodiak...A couple lakes I fish out here do have trash cans out there. the problem there is that they never seem to get emptied!!! most of the time they are overflowing and there is trash all over around them and then the wind takes them........ I usually just throw my trash in the truck and toss it as soon as I get home.

[icehousebob]

I,ve had trash pickup pay off for me. Over the years, I've found some things of value while picking up other people's trash. Also, one time I was parked in the far corner of a business parking lot while I was fishing on Tonka. The owner met me when I came off the lake.I think he was ready to read me the riot act until he saw my fishing sled full of other people's trash. He told me I could park there any time I wanted.

[metrojoe]

Makes my blood boil just thinking about it.

One way to help out is to pitch in when a lake or park clean up is being promoted on this site. I think I got the idea from someone here, but a plastic grocery bag can be packed into a film container. I've got a couple of these floating around in my portable.

[hoggs222]

I always have a roll of garbage bags in my permanent house & if I'm fishing out of the permanent, I use a bag from the gas station. No sense on polluting the lakes when you can crush a can & throw it in a bag! Smokers, use a can for an ashtray & take it with. It's not rocket science.

[Kodiak]

Good point, who wants them "heater" butts in the lake, what is that filter made out of anyway?? fiberglass?

[ole]

Hit Snail Lake on 12/11 and was really disgusted with what I found out there. After setting my tip-ups I walked around and picked up about a case of empty cans and a few pop bottles. This kind of dump really p.o.s me. Why can't they at least leave the garbage bins out during winter? Unfortunatly all ice-fisherpeople will get labeled slobs because of the few who really are the slobs!! If you see them do it say something, it might help!

[sparkyaber]

I really have a problem with people littering. No matter where they are going next in there travels, there will be a garbage can there- take the stuff with you. I tell that to everyone that I see doing something like that. Just in a nice way . One other big one for me is ciggarette butts all over the place. Even driving down the road- I get hit about once a day with a butt flying out of a window going down the free way. If you smoke or know someone that does, tell them to use their ashtray, that is what it is there for, not the outdoors as a dumping ground for butts.

I feel better now.

[nytelyter]

the problem with refuse containers at the access is the expense. the dnr's operating budget has been hit hard, as has most of ours. and even so the id-ots will still trash the lake. if you brought it out to the lake, or anywhere for that matter, take it with you when you leave. surely, you didnt catch that many fish, that you now dont have the space to bring it back off the ice. i was always taught. take only pictures. and leave only foot prints. exception to that is. may take a few fish for dinner. and as has been posted on here before. the people doing the trashing of our lakes probably are from a lower life form and would not have the knowledge of how to operate a computer and have the ability to access this forum. heheheh

[swamp buck]

It seems as if EVERYONE on this site does not litter or condone it! I'd like to believe that, and do think most adhere to it. But I do know a LOT of FMer's smoke while fishing and would think of nothing when tossing a smoked butt on the ice! That looks like so sad to see next to an ice hole or shack! Ever look down at ANY stoplight or intersection and you will see butts all over! Yuck! Ok, I'm done-Keep it clean-

[Kodiak]

left the lake last night and i looks like the trash can hasnt been emptied since late august, comon parks department empty them suckers!! if it gets windy it is gonna be all over