Running Generators on Ice

[Judd]

Generators supply electricity to Ice houses have got to affect the bite. In addition, their noise is irritating. Discuss....

[End of the Line]

I have a generator for my sleeper house at LOW. I very rarely run it during the day when the bite is best. The reason is just for the fact other people might think it kills their bite and I am trying to be considerate of others. I have not noticed any diference on the bite during the day when I have used it. I have found though that when I set up far away from others then they pull in and I fire the generator up they sometimes get upset, and mine is new and not that loud. So if you see my house the generator is on after dark so we can play cards and watch TV!

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End of the Line Charters
Lake Superior
1-888-U-HOOK-EM
www.fishontheline.com

[Northlander]

A generator is a pain for those fishing close by. Nothing worse than listening to that all day in your portable. I usually move. I also would think it effects fish in shallower water and thinner ice conditions. I see people who put them in insulated boxes on the outside of the house to cut down noise to others/themselfs. Good idea.

[Kaz]

I have the Honda 1kw inverter type. It only runs fast enouth to take care of the load you are pulling. Quit frankly, with it outside and the door closed, you don't hardly hear it. And for vibration, the shock absorbers in it completely isolate it from the ground. Although I do use it just for recharging my batteries and the microwave, I haven't noticed any reduction in the fish bite, or has anyone moved or complained about the sound, that I've been told. Maybe some ICE this weekend at LOTW.... Kaz

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KAZ

[Try Too Fish]

If fish are not attracted to noise there are a lot of useless rattle baits out there!

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Try Too Fish
Forced Too Work!!

[bim]

what are you trying to run? have you considered batteries and a solar panel?

[fiskyknut]

I do find the noise sometimes a bit irratating when near by, but I don't let it ruin my day. To each their own I guess, some folks need TV's and what not to keep them occupied....I'm usually too busy reeling one in, taking one off, or rebaiting to let a TV distract me from what I'm out there for!!!

Noise may factor in a wee bit when your on thin ice over shallow water maybe. I can't tell you guys how many times I've been on LOTW when the bite is a bit off, then a Bomber or Trackvan runs 50 foot from your hut and you get a bit 10 seconds later! How about being set up near a active crack/ridge and the noise they can make, that don't seem to bother 'em too bad either, and they can make BIG noises some days!

fiskyknut

[Guest]

I've fished with friends that have big permanents with generators running outside and we haven't had trouble catching fish. I haven't noticed a big difference. But thats just me and maybe we would have really pounded the fish without the generator

Good Fishin,
Matt

[email protected]
Catch-N Tackle and Bio Bait
MarCum

[This message has been edited by MJ5 (edited 11-20-2003).]

[Guest]

What fish besides a Shark is actually attracted to noise?

I've never seen anyone with a large house park their generators by the door

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Chells

[Gonzo]

I don't mind the sound of the newer generators. I don't have one myself, but if someone sets up near me with a generator I don't mind it at all, unless they're powering a loud stereo!

[Try Too Fish]

fiskyknut
I agree,I think noise is more of an irritant to the fisherman than the fish.I too have had many times when there was nothing going on for quite some time,then a truck drives by and wham just like that a fish or 2.Also i have noticed that in the evening just as the sun is setting on a warmer day the ice starts to make a lot of noise and the fish are biting like crazy!And Ya i know that its prime time, but the point is the fish didnt mind the noise!
But i still get cranky when several trucks go by in a short span of time!

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Try Too Fish
Forced Too Work!!

[Northlander]

Ya I notice the bomber/truck thing to but I think they are spooking the fish from 1 location to you. Noise does effect fish for sure. Positively or negatively is the ?. Too many variables come into play on different days to come to a solid conclusion for me. On LOW and other highly fished lakes where fish get used to all the traffic I dont see it as too big a deal. I agree its more of a pain for the fisherman.

[Guest]

Let's see, Generator noise and Rattle Baits--somebody help me see a similarity here...

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Chells

[loosegoose]

As far as db level, Honda generators are the way to go if you're going to run one. I don't use one myself but I know guys that run on dc battery power during the bite times and charge the batteries with the generator during non-bite times.

[Guest]

I think Northlander hit it right on. I've fished high traffic lakes and the noise factor doesn't seem to effect the bite; but yet on some smaller lakes I've fished, with far less human traffic, I've definately seen the fish get "spooked". I think it's probably just animal nature - you can't get within 50 yards of a squirrel up north in the wild, but in the cities, they run right past you - just a matter of what they're used to in their environment. I think if you're on a high traffic lake (like -Mil Lacs, etc..)the generator probably doesn't have the effect on the bite as it does when you're on a lake when you're one of 10 guys on the ice. I'd be cognesent of running generators/4-wheelers/snowmobiles too much on those smaller lakes. Just my 2 cents.
Biwabik

[Fishn'Lady]

We have a Honda generator that's not that loud. It's a smaller unit about the size of a small suitcase. To keep the annoyance level down for us and anyone around us we put it in the back of the truck with the topper door closed and the windows cracked slightly. Then we run long extension cords so the truck isn't right next to the house. You hardly even hear it running.

Fishn'Lady