ICE FISHING PLANS FELL THROUGH.......

Some of you may remember ice fishing on Black Lake. now known as Lake Macatawa.  It was in 1930 that we got a shanty on the lake, a large two hole fishing facility with a brooder stove for total comfort.  Four people could fish comfortbly.  Itr was built on a couple of runners and we could push or tow it to a likely spot for fishing.

There was always plenty of ice on the lake for many fishermen to enjoy the sport. When we saw the pick-ups drive out on the lake, we were sure it was safe to start fishing. Our shanty could accomodate four men and a kid (me) for an afternoon of fishing. Perch seemed to be plentiful at that time.  

There were many hardy souls who would not use a shanty--simply drilled or chopped a hole in the ice and dropped a line in with a tip-up and waited.  Warm clothes were a necessity for this. I talked to one old fisherman who told me some guys took a pint of whisky to keep warm, but he told me he always used cold beer. It was no problem keeping it cold.  The Pine Creek Bay area could ofter have a hundred or more shanties on it, plus some of the outside fishermen. A watchful eye had to be kept on the shanties in the spring time for the beginning thaw.  Occasionally a daring driver would find himself in a car which was sinking, since the ice waa not the same thickness all over.

Many skaters and ice boaters enjoyed the ice, and it was not unusal to see a spot cleaned off for some hockey. 

IT WAS AN OLD FASHIONED WINTER IN MICHIGAN.