RAY LAWAY of 415 N. Franklin in New Ulm built a collapsible shelter for ice fishing that fits on top of his car.

The fish houses aren’t on the river as thick as they were a year ago because the darn fish are hard to see.

The elements have combined this winter to leave a murkiness in the water. Spearing is the only kind of fishing that goes on down there in winter because, one angler says, for some reason walleyes just don’t bite.

To spear, of course you have to see them, and on the Minnesota River the murk gets in the way.

ICE FISHERMAN Ray Laway said that walleyes are the only ones worth angling for in the river this time of year, but the Regional Fisheries Supervisor for the Department of Natural Resources indicated that some people spear for catfish or northerns.

Supervisor Guy Oklobzija blamed the murky water on any of several weather or climatic factors–lack of snow cover and too much water flowing in the river among them.

Lack of sufficient snow cover on the ice allows sunlight to filter through and encourages continued algae growth.

IF THE RIVER isn’t frozen solid enough, sediment might still be suspended in the water. It should begin settling soon in the Minnesota, Oklobzija said.

Another ice fisherman said that the sediment has settled already in the Cottonwood River.

Fishermen do their spearing or angling from inside a house not only for warmth, Oklobzija said. Only from inside a covered area can you see the fish to spear them.

DARK HOUSE licenses run $3 on top of the regular fishing license fee of $4 for an individual and $6 for a married couple.

Ice fishing season in the state is from Dec. 1 to Feb. 15, inclusive. Spearing is not permitted in the summer.

During the spearing season, the only fish you can take home are the northern, the whitefish and the catfish. While rough fish are allowed, other game fish are off limits.

Limit is three northerns and five catfish in a day.

LAWAY SAID he takes his portable fish house to one of the lakes over toward St. Peter or Hutchinson once a week or so. He used to go three times a week,but doesn’t have as much time anymore.

He built his own fish house four years ago, nailing a couple skis on the bottom to ensure portability.

“That way one man can pull it off just like a toboggan,” Laway said. The fish house has four holes sawed in the bottom and is light enough to strap on top of a car.

WARM ENOUGH inside for shirt sleeves with its stove, Laway said he and friends bring some deer sausage and a six-pack of beer and make a time of it.

Laway said he doesn’t go to the Minnesota River because angling for its walleye is just no good when the water freezes over.

The only kind of ice fishing you’ll find down there, he said, is done with a spear.

New Ulm Daily Journal

Jan. 27, 1976