Adirondack Traditions
Ice Fishing
On March 7-8, 2020 the Saranac Lake Fish and Game Club held its 36th annual Colby Classic fishing derby. Historic Saranac Lake brought our mobile exhibit, the Cure Porch on Wheels, to the shores of Lake Colby. The Porch featured a mini exhibit about the architecture of ice shanties. While there, Oral History Coordinator Kayt Gochenaur interviewed local fishermen to document this Adirondack tradition. Listen to the interviews below!
A Brief History of Ice Fishing :
Evidence of ice fishing dates back to more than 2000 years ago! It first was practiced by Native Americans. These early ice fishermen used spears to catch fish. |
They carved decoys out of wood and built tents over the fishing hole to make it easier to see into the water. This method, called dark house fishing, was first documented in the Great Lakes region among the Ojibwe people. It is still practiced today! Dark house fishing made its way to Europe in the 1500s. As fishing rods, reels, and lines became more advanced many ice fishermen switched to these techniques.
Ice fishing experienced a resurgence in the 1900s. Recreational ice fishing became more popular while the invention of the tip-up made the fishing easier. Today ice fishing is practiced all over the world.
Ice Shanty Architecture
Many fishermen use ice shanties to shelter them from the elements. These temporary shelters are often built by hand with whatever materials are available. They are designed to be practical, but they have lots of personality. Shanties come in all shapes, sizes, and materials. Many people today favor tent style shelters.
Many fishermen use ice shanties to shelter them from the elements. These temporary shelters are often built by hand with whatever materials are available. They are designed to be practical, but they have lots of personality. Shanties come in all shapes, sizes, and materials. Many people today favor tent style shelters.
Ice shanties might not be used year round, but they are an important part of local culture and community life! Shanty villages can spring up and disappear in a matter of days. All across the world, communities form on top of the ice. By the time the ice melts, all traces of these communities have gone.