My truck just a couple months old and maybe 3k on the clock. It’s been quite a while since I’d feel comfortable doing it tho.
We don’t have many places with Norther pike and I don’t believe spearing is legal here but I’m quite interested in it. we need a fish spearing FHC GTG!
Unfortunately, our ice here is so inconsistent the past few years. Just don’t have the consistent cold temps. It’s a lot of fun and relaxing too. I’m sure you’d enjoy it!
Looks like a beautiful morning! Do you leave your house out on the ice as long as the ice is good? Here, you’d be setting up and May get a couple days you could leave it before things warmed back up and you had to pull it. You build your house?
I consider the black canvas house in the picture a portable. It is made by Canvas Craft in Rogers MN. I will leave it out for a week at a time if the long range forecast show mild wind speeds. I built my 4’ X 6’ permanent in a weekend, so it is nothing special, but it is going on at least 10 years of hard use. It is nice to be in a permanent house when it is windy and well below zero. I typically pull it out in early to mid-December with my four-wheeler and pull it off the ice in late February or early March with the pick-up.
The only states where spearing Pike is legal are Minnesota, Michigan, the Dakotas, Montana, and Alaska. Here in Minnesota we can spear both pike and whitefish. Rough fish are also legal game, such as bowfin, carp, and suckers. We can also angle at the some time we are spearing. The spear counts as one of our two allowed lines. The origin is in our Ojibwa culture. This is a good film about how it is traditionally practiced.
I like your setup. Nice fish too! Sure makes a big difference having your feet on some plywood instead of the ice! Does your house require some “coaxing” when you go to take it off in February? They can sure get iced in
Thanks Haftacut. When I set the house I place it on 2 blocks of 2X4” on all four corners. Those are a lot easier to chisel out than a whole fish house!
What is your house made of? Just a shell, or insulated? I see a chimney top of some sort..Propane heater? I don't like the cold and ice, but am for some reason somewhat amazed at this ice fishing thing...
It is framed with 2”x 2” stud walls. Floor is treated 2” x 4”. Insulated with Owen’s foam board. Stove is a propane Nu-Way.
Interesting video thanks for the link. It answered some questions that I had. For quite a while I have wanted to get a decoy to put on the shelf. I have resisted mainly because I have no use other than to look at . This has fanned the flame! lol
If it’s something you’d like to experience there are opportunities for dark house rental for a daily fee where they supply you with a spear, decoys, and the house. Just in case the itch gets so bad you have to scratch it
Just a couple results from a quick google search. At least online, seem more prevalent in Minnesota and North Dakota than some of the other states. Haven’t utilized any of these, but seem like an affordable way to wet one’s appetite. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. May be the perfect getaway for you and the mrs Darkhouse Spearing - Minnesota Darkhouse Spearing Rentals at Little Winnie Resort, Deer River, MN - Minnesota Family Resorts - Little Winnie Resort in Deer River, MN Spear House Rentals In Brainerd Minnesota- Livin' The Dream Guide Service Dark House Spearing - Ice House Rentals - Lake Sakakawea
It just so happens our anniversary is a week after. What better way to spend it than being in a dark room spearing? Fish would be a bonus!
