Ice Ruins

I took a hike across Spearhead Lake on Friday, March 6, and I came across an unusual sight. Frosted tombstones made from chunks of ice carved from the lake by spear fishermen lay basking in the sun before my eyes.

I looked around but saw no one. Suddenly the ice tombstones appeared abandoned in a snowy field. Where have all the fishermen gone? Before the recent March blizzard hit, I would’ve ended this passage with a thought – “These ice ruins leave behind a hopeful message that spring is on its way.” I wish this statement to be true, but it looks to me like winter is still very much alive.

The remains of ice blocks carved out from the lake by spear fishermen. These ice tombstones are left as reminders of a successful spearing season on Spearhead Lake.

2 Perch in 2 Days

My husband, brother and I took advantage of a warm (30 degrees!!!) weekend by spending two afternoons ice fishing on Spearhead Lake.  While the sun was bright and the minnows were lively, the fish didn’t seem to be hungry! Despite our slow fishing efforts, it was great to get out on the lake and enjoy the warm weather with good company.

It didn't seem to matter how many holes my brother drilled this weekend... we just couldn't seem to find the fish!

My husband caught a nice 13-inch perch on the first afternoon. Sadly, his big catch would be the last one of the weekend.

We fished until dark... hoping to catch something... anything!

After not catching anything the previous day, frusturation and fatigue finally set in as my brother tried to eat his one and only catch of the day. (ok... we're just kidding)

Spearing on Spearhead

     As newly weds, starting a new life together in a new environment has been a whirlwind of excitement. Through our trials of learning how to live a life in secluded wilderness we have learned there is nothing more valuable than a helping hand. My husband and I are fortunate to be “neighbors” (a few miles down the road) to an avid outdoorsman named Dan. Every now and then when we find a set of footprints followed by a sled track on the path to the lake, it usually leads us right to Dan’s fish house.

     On an unusually warm 20 degree day last week, I followed those tracks on snowshoes down to the lake to find Dan trying to free his fish house from the ice with an ice bar. “I can’t believe how much slush there is on the lake!” he said. My naivety of what slush can do a permanent ice house was aparent as I didn’t seem to know what the problem was. I’ve only fished out a portable fish house and the five inches of icey snow covering the ice was never a problem. For a permanent house, however, slush can be a nightmare to deal with as it slowly creates a frozen glue around the house.

     Fortunately for Dan, the sunny day proved in his favor and he was able to free his house from the ice. Today he would move his fish house to a new location for a better chance at spearing fish. My husband and I often enjoyed hearing Dan tell stories of the northern pike he speared on Spearhead Lake when he stopped by our portable house on occasion. His stories reminded me of when I lived in Wisconsin and heard of people spear fishing for the ever-elusive sturgeons on Lake Winnebago. But to me, these stories of spearing seemed almost like fairytales. How can someone possibly sneak up on a fish and spear it through a small hole?

    Today was my lucky day. I was about to find out when Dan agreed to share with me what spear fishing in Minnesota was all about. I captured a series of photos reflecting on this most traditional and interesting form of fishing. I’d like to thank Dan for allowing me to shadow him that afternoon – I had a great time!

It takes a big hole to spear fish effectively. Some spear fishermen will use a chainsaw to cut a hole in the ice, but Dan used a more traditional and physically challenging method. After cutting eight holes in the ice, Dan used a long ice saw to connect the holes, creating a large rectangle in the ice.

Instead of trying to remove one large rectangle of ice at one time (which would probably weigh over 200 pounds), Dan cut the hole into thirds.

Using a set of pevies or cant-hooks, one-by-one, Dan took the three chunks of ice out of the hole, a task hardly deemed easy.

I couldn't resist asking Dan if we could make an ice snowman out of the ice chunks. Lifting three heavy chunks of ice out of the lake is no light task and the look of pride on Dan's face was worthy of a picture.

With an ice-man to now watch over it, I can rest assured Dan's spearhouse will be kept safe and sound on Spearhead Lake.

The spearhouse is kept as dark as possible, allowing Dan to see clear to the bottom of the lake. Just as it is important to have a big hole to fish out of, it is important to fish on a clear lake. Fortunately for us, Spearhead Lake is about as clear as a lake can get! Five feet down is a wooden fish decoy attached to a string. Using a simple pulley system, Dan tugs on the string to move the fish in a life-like circular motion. Tied around Dan's right leg is a thin rope connected to his spear which he holds at a ready position in his right hand. When a fish (typically northern pike) moves in for a bite at the decoy, Dan throws the weighted spear at the fish. According to Dan, every now and then a spear-man will lose his spear because he/she forgot to tie the spear to a leg. It would be interesting to see how many spears are in Spearhead Lake! After spending an hour with Dan on the lake, it is clear to me a spear fisherman needs to have a steady hand, good aim and lots of luck!