Ice fishing and Drinking

[Jimmy_1]

Here is a question.

I will be relatively new to ice fishing this year.
Alot of folks I know tend to like a drinkie or two out on the ice.

My question is.

Is this considered ok behaviour?
How much is too much?

I realize being plastered and you are out riding your sled at 110 mp/h is a bad idea, but is there a certain "faux-pas" with the odd 24 being in the shack?

J

[CNs]

If you can't fish without drinking then is it the fishing you are interested in or the beer?

If you need to have a few "pops" while ice fishing then why drag all that equipment around?


Stay home. Grab a lawn chair go out into the back yard with your 24 and drink. If it makes you feel better set up a tip up (not you andrew).

It will accomplish the same thing and you don't have to worry about drinking and driving at the end of the day.

[Jasonb]

When i go out, once in a while, if im out with a few friends, we'll have a couple pops but no more than a few... we still all have a responsibility to each other that if something goes terribly wrong on the ice, we're there to assist... last thing i want is for me to go half way through the ice, and have my friends to drunk to throw me a rope or even worse... not even notice im missing... but a few isnt tooo bad, although if you drink everytime you go out, and its more of a time to drink than fish, then i don't think i'd like to fish with people like that... if i wanna sit around and drink, i'd invite people to my house and play some tunes and enjoy everyones time safely... i say its okay to have a few "pops" out on the ice, but everyone has to have the same understanding of safety 1st... too much can be lost...

JaY

[Wallyboss]

Good response, Norm. Not that I have never done it. Just not since I have been ice fishing seriously.

Yeah I used to go out to an ice shack set out 2 tip-ups and sit in the shack and drink all day.

Cause I usually drive to the ice fishing spot so I would need to drive back. I am not sure if it is legal in an ice shack . But just out on the ice it is called drinking in a public place.

Most people I ice fish with will not bring booze out on the ice.

Let's do it safely.

[joseph]

I believe it is illegal to drink on the ice from a truck or shanty. I may be wrong, but if it is, then there is good reason for it. My experience with those who drink is that they are loud and obnoxious. The ones that are not parade around with their drinks like it is the thing to do. Not a good message to our younger generation. Concern over OOS fish seems less important when I hear off colour language and watch stupic behavior from a distance by those who must have their drinks. I say from a distance, because I seek the out-of-doors to watch idiots on ice.

[Bass Addict]

Drinking while ice fishing , is the OLD school way of doing things ........

One is not enough. and two is one too many


Not too many guys would run after a tip-up with 6 pints in their belly

[Jasonb]

THAT IS TRUE... BUT I'VE SEEN THEM TRY.... AND STUMBLE

[Jimmy_1]

I am neither advocating it nor saying it is wrong.
I am trying to stay neutral.

I agree with the sentiment that "why bother getting drunk? Stay home" sentiment.

But what about the flip side? You are out for hours, no boats etc.
Is it not reasonable to consume a 6 pack over the course of 8+ hrs?

Please don't get me wrong here folks! If you invite me to ice fish with you I am not going to show up with a whack of liquor (or any for that matter!)

I just raised this question more for debate and to see where people stand on the issue.

God I'd make a great politician!

[Chewie]

Hey Jamsers Good topic. I'm usually way to nervous out on the water ( hard or soft) to tip back a few. It's the cops I fear and the drive home after. I will relax after I'm home but thats it for me. Now in saying that I can ( and have) walked down to the river in front of my place and enjoyed a bit of a party whislt fishing with my toes in the water.

[muskymatt]

Wow ....loaded question.

My experience with those who drink is that they are loud and obnoxious

Not everyone who has a couple beers is obnoxious or out of control.

I say from a distance, because I seek the out-of-doors to watch idiots on ice.

That a pretty wide generalization there Joseph.

I guess in your opinion anyone who has a beer or 2 while enjoying a day on the ice is an idiot???

I for one have gone out with some friends (kids and dog included) and have had hot dogs and beans , sometimes other food and a couple beers and everyone has fun.

Not too many people here hurting or violating anyone

Stay home. Grab a lawn chair go out into the back yard with your 24 and drink. If it makes you feel better set up a tip up

So staying home and getting drunk is better than some sunshine, fresh air and fish????

Wow ....have you guys ever heard of moderation????

In your eyes are all bad drivers maniacs??? Before all you holier than thou know it alls go and wrongly put anyone who has a beer while ice fishing into one catagory you might want to consider that some (most) people are responsible.


for petes sake

[Fishtraks]

Speaking of the "old school way". I was at LeBaron the other day perusing the big wall of lures when this old dude (70+) picked up a plastic "fish club" and said out loud, to nobody in particular..."what the hell do you need one of these for?? hell, we just hit em over the head with a beer bottle". About five nearby patrons, and myself, cracked up....remnants of the "old school". Personally, I like a few beers most times, but out on the water isn't one of them. There's too much sh*t going on. Anyone who has been on The Rideau near Kars in the middle of the summer and has had to deal with all the power boats, wakeboarders, waterskiers, tubers, fishing boats, knows what I mean. I don't want to be under the influence if an emergency arises. Clear thinking will be the order of the day if someone find themselves in the middle of an emergency situation(not necessarily of your own doing). Don't get me wrong. I drink a lot of beer, but I stay completely sober on the water. That's my .02 worth. Cheers folks...fish on.......regards, Fishtraks.

[Seabass81]

According to an officer last year they do not have permision to just walk into your ice shack. Thust meaning it is not it is not public intoxication. Soon as you step on the open ice it is illegal.



This is just what ive been told dont hold it to me.


John

[almontefisher]

O.k here is my 2 cents but with the empties I hope to get 10 cents back ...I do drink beer when out in my ice shack or just out on a back lake fishing the ice with friends...I have a few drinks like at most 4-5 beer over the course of 8 hours on the ice. Now I drink beer maybe once every two months or so so I am not a heavy drinker...It is not legal to drink in your shack unless like a boat or anything else you have running potable water and a toilet. Now I guess I do break the law but never do I get hammered and stupid as there is still safety in mind...Remember you are on ice with holes around you. If you want a beer and do not care about breaking the law then have one but I will be the first to grab you by the neck and beat the carp out of you if you get into a car or skidoo and drive off after having some pops...If I have driven to the spot I DO NOT DRINK. I have had two friends killed from drinking and driving so this does not impress me one bit. Also there is a limit to what is drinking for social fun and drinking to get stupid drunk and make an @ss of yourself. This is not something one person can decide for another...If you are able to drink then make the smart choice which makes sense to you!!! If you feel one beer is not bad then have one, but if you do not believe a drink anytime is good then dont.

In a nutshell I do drink while ice fishing and will probably not change my mind on that but as always you need to be prepared for what happens either enjoying a great day with friends or getting a ticket for drinking in a public spot.

[troutnmuskiehunter]

Wow ....loaded question.

My experience with those who drink is that they are loud and obnoxious

Not everyone who has a couple beers is obnoxious or out of control.

I say from a distance, because I seek the out-of-doors to watch idiots on ice.

That a pretty wide generalization there Joseph.

I guess in your opinion anyone who has a beer or 2 while enjoying a day on the ice is an idiot???

I for one have gone out with some friends (kids and dog included) and have had hot dogs and beans , sometimes other food and a couple beers and everyone has fun.

Not too many people here hurting or violating anyone

Stay home. Grab a lawn chair go out into the back yard with your 24 and drink. If it makes you feel better set up a tip up

So staying home and getting drunk is better than some sunshine, fresh air and fish????

Wow ....have you guys ever heard of moderation????

In your eyes are all bad drivers maniacs??? Before all you holier than thou know it alls go and wrongly put anyone who has a beer while ice fishing into one catagory you might want to consider that some (most) people are responsible.


for petes sake

Perfectly said Matt!!!!....I totally agree with ya!!

[joseph]

Yes I have heard of moderation, and yes I have painted everyone on the ice with drinks as idiots, because it is only the ones who had lots to drink who make their presence known. My first experience with idiots was at Petrie Island when two fellows who had a few turned up their music for the rest of us to hear, and who also felt we should hear everything they had to say. To tell them to tune it down would mean a fight. Next came at McCaulaugh Bay (spelled wrong) where a father was enjoying a few pops and later came over to see if I would take his six frozen pikes, since he no longer wanted them. The ones who drank in moderation and did it so no one else had to take part in their festivities are never noticed. Still, if it is not legal is should not be tolerated.