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St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Lee Enterprises

Thursday, February 26, 2009 10:16 PM CST
Ice fishing enthusiasts brave cold to pursue their passion

By the ASSOCIATED PRESS

MEREDITH, N.H. (AP) — Peter Muse’s tiny New Hampshire house has a fireplace, bathroom, 4-burner stove and outdoor hot tub.

It’s also tax-free — resting on a frozen lake with a hole cut in the floor for fishing.

“We’re out here so we may as well fish,” said Bob Myshrall, who built the 9-by-12-foot shack for Muse for about $2,500, including furniture.

It’s an extreme version of the bobhouse — also known as an ice shanty or ice house — that fishing aficionados in northern states pull onto frozen waters each winter. The typical model includes four walls, a seat, heater and beer cooler — just the essentials to protect against frigid winds.

Four years ago, the 54-year-old Muse, of Meredith, put up a pool table outside his bobhouse. This year, the hot tub was the big attraction at the Great Rotary Fishing Derby on Lake Winnipesaukee. The annual carnival on ice draws up to 7,000 participants and offers $62,000 in cash and prizes.

“What’s more American than having a hot tub at an ice fishing derby?” asked 30-year-old Kristy Short, who was soaking in her red, white and blue bikini.

“Ice fishing is more social,” says David Page, of Ashland, who has two bobhouses. “Most guys just come out to hang out. Catching a fish is a bonus.”

But not for all when the prize for the heaviest rainbow trout is a $25,000 speedboat. With prizes like that, derbies routinely have experts on hand to help them avoid getting fooled by fishy fishermen. Steve Bennett, who did the honors for an 18th year in Meredith, is an ichthyologist — a fish biologist who can tell if a fish is legit.

Two years ago, his expertise helped nab a competitor who hooked a big fish the week before the derby and kept it alive in his bathtub. Bennett knew something was wrong: The fish’s nose was banged up from bumping into the walls of the tub.

Others have filled fish with sand or 9-volt batteries to make them weigh more. This year, Bennett pulled a pair of pliers out of one fish.

“We know fish don’t eat pliers or batteries,” he said.

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