4 hours ago, Bassun said:

I think, personally, it's because most of them are not even really there to fish, rather just drink and do whatever.

 

That's 98% of all ice anglers.  They're out there to socialize, drink, play cards, watch satellite TV, etc.  Fishing is very secondary

9 hours ago, gimruis said:

 

That's 98% of all ice anglers.  They're out there to socialize, drink, play cards, watch satellite TV, etc.  Fishing is very secondary

 

Sounds like the same folks who would be catfishing if it was warm, lol.

 

Now, let me qualify my catfishing comment -- NO, I do not include all catfishers as litterbugs, just as I don't exclude all native trout fishermen (who IMO seem to be the cleanest of all of us) from the hit list.  I differentiate between native trout anglers and those who chase the stocking truck as they usually two distinctly different types of anglers.  The latter are often more prone to littering, purely based on the amount of trash I see left on stocked streams vs the more pristine native waters.

I always carry a plastic bag to pick up trash.   This fall I was picking up some crap at the Wachusett reservoir in mass which is our drinking water and one of the best places to fish in the state.  I picked up what I thought was a pen but it was a needle. I was shocked.    Be careful.   

3 minutes ago, Deeare said:

I always carry a plastic bag to pick up trash.   This fall I was picking up some crap at the Wachusett reservoir in mass which is our drinking water and one of the best places to fish in the state.  I picked up what I thought was a pen but it was a needle. I was shocked.    Be careful.   

That stuff is getting bad up here.I can't wait to hit Wachusett this year.Its about 35 minutes from me.

1 minute ago, MassBassin508 said:

That stuff is getting bad up here.I can't wait to hit Wachusett this year.Its about 35 minutes from me.

I go there all the time.  I use to work 15 minutes away from there for the last 2 years but just took a new job.   Let's meet up in April.  I live north of Boston 

It's amazing to me the amount of balls (basketballs/soccer balls and baseballs) I find floating on the lake too.

Just sayin!!

In my lake it stays clean mostly.I pulled an old office chair out by the island and left it up on the island to dry out so it wouldnt mess up my boat.Next time down there it was back in the water again.Apparently a lot of people dont have any sense.

I cant remember seeing anyone trashing an area.Not sure how Id react.If it was in my lake I KNOW how Id react ! Nice but firm!!

Don't say anything. Just pick up trash and try to make sure other people see me. Maybe they will get the hint and do the same.

I know the good Lord watch's and likes it when we care for what he left us.  Other people.....well...it's nice to set an example.  Do believe he has to put it on their heart to do well and good.  

Thank you to those who care.

I will call any litter bug out! Few things drive me more crazy, only the unethical or illegal harvest of fish is worse to me.

I agree that doing something about litter is more effective than saying something especially around kids. They're the future.

I do, people who leave trash ARE trash. 

 Litter is a low life attitude. That being said, my wife and I have been boating/fishing together for over 35 years. She would not hesitate to confront anybody who was littering! So many times in the canoe (her in the front) she would see something and tell me "get over there, I want to talk to them". Sure made for some interesting outings.

  Each April we would do a canoe ride around the pond we live on and collect the garbage left behind. We would have bags of trash.

 Being the spring, most could be attributed to Ice Fishermen. Second worst would be bank fishermen, at the only shore access to the pond it was a daily occurrence for her to bring home trash after walking the dogs.

  These type of people are not Sportsman and do not care about the future of the fishery.

 

  My wife died Dec 20th. We have all lost a fighter for the the natural environment we all enjoy.

 I challenge all of you that said you do not stand up and say something when seeing someone litter to make a stand for what you enjoy. If you don't it WILL be gone!!

14 hours ago, ward131 said:

I challenge all of you that said you do not stand up and say something when seeing someone litter to make a stand for what you enjoy. If you don't it WILL be gone!!

 

Sorry to hear about your loss. May she RIP.

 

I have to respectfully disagree though when you say to make a stand when you see someone littering. MANY people around the foothills here carry guns, and many of them are not afraid to brandish it. Combine that with a hot head and you risk getting shot over telling someone not to litter. To me it's simply not worth the risk. Do they need to be educated on littering and why it's a *****y thing to do? Absolutely. But other avenues of how and when to educate them need to be considered.

 

Case in point, a local farmers son was driving around their orchard checking irrigation lines and whatnot. He came upon a couple of guys dumping their trash on the side of the road in their orchard. He confronted them and asked them to pick it up and take it to the local dump. They got ticked, pulled a handgun and shot him. He died on the spot. Worth it?