Trip Idea with Wife

Where do you live and how far do you plan on going.

 

Years ago I did a trip with one night/next day fishing at Jack's landing in Hillman. Then the next night an elk viewing sleigh ride/ gourmet dinner at the thunder bay resort in Hillman. The sleigh ride took us out to a cabin where the owner's wife cooked a 7 course meal for 30 people on 2 wood fired stoves. The room at the resort was great as well.

 

FYI, unattended tipups = ticket

 

Pilgrims at Mitchell lake Cadillac

 

I f you go to pilgrims, they have a tackle/bait shop, and cabins on the water. I play music and got booked at the casino up past Traverse, so my wife suggested going to Pilgrims for a couple days. It gives you access to Lk Mitchell, and Cadillac lake

 

You are supposed to manning tipups at all times which means you should be not only where you can see them but also where a Conservation Officer can see that you can see them. They can't see you if you are inside by a fire or cannot assume that people on shore are the owners of them.

If she's never been ice fishing or hesitant I'd simply stay closer to home on a smaller type lake that you know you can at least catch something and wouldn't have to put in a bunch of effort to try to do so. From there, I'd make sure you have a warm, insulated shanty with a heater so you can stay comfy warm without a ton of cumbersome clothing on. Maybe most important is to make sure the ice is very safe so that there are no situations that may scare her or make her second guess hers or your safety. If she likes it, and will if you stay warm and catch just a few fish and are safe, she'll be up for taking a weekend for some good one on one time with a little fishing thrown in. Just my 2cents. GL.

 

Houghton Lake and rent a heated shanty. Lyman's On The Lake is one place. Need your own fishing gear but they will haul you out and bring you back. My guess is you guys will have a good time. Always good to bring along a snack/lunch and something to drink also.
As previously stated, you need to be close enough to your tip-ups to be in control. You WILL get ticketed otherwise and "under control" depends on the interpretation of the Conservation Officer. Some are more lenient then others.
Below is quoted from the regulations.
"All tip-ups and other similar devices must be marked with the name and address of the owner in legible English, either directly on the object or securely fastened to it by a plate or tag. All lines must be under immediate control."

 

Is this the law forum? I must of missed where he asked for legal advice! Unreal

 

Thank you for the Tip up advice skamaniac, I assume marking with duck tape may work. Do you know the approx cost of renting a shanty.

....I know that if my wife went along, the need for facilities may be one thing she would be concerned with.

 

that might be tough on a lake..... a five gallon bucket and some TP?? You could always step outside if she is shy

 

This is Excellent advice. Also, a friend of mine got a $175.00 ticket for unattended line when he ran into the restroom for a quick potty break without pulling his tipup out of the water first so this is no joke.

 

Many years ago my buddy and I set the shanty and put tip ups out. We were on our way to grab a bite to eat at our cottage (had binocs and could see the tips us from the cottage) and up rolls a DNR officer on a quad. We explained what we were doing and he explained the law. Lol We told him we'd go pull the tip ups and he told us just to go eat but make it quick and come back. Nice guy.

 

The O.P. said from "shore", which could be 10yds away from a tip up. I guess the benefit of a doubt goes out the window when someone asks a question anymore.

It's just a common sense law for the most part so people don't put lakes or areas under hostage from spreading all their tip ups for miles.