They are decoys for ice fishing (spear-fishing) Pike are drawn to the
lure and the spear is dropped from above. In a darkened shanty, light
shining through the ice lights the hole for viewing. Fins on the decoy
are designed to make the decoy swim in a circle when lifted
occasionally, or the cord is sometimes twisted to make the decoy swim
as the twists uncoil.

If you like the prices of the fish decoys, take a look at antique hand
carved duck decoys. Prices exploded a few years ago, and the old
masters aren't around any more. You may find a $10,000 box of
grandpa's "junk" at a yard sale some day.

Pepperoni


"Jeff" wrote in message
...
Had never heard of them, of course I never fished in Wisconsin,
Minnesota or
Michigan either. These things have the general shape of a fish, are
painted
in bright colors not resembling any kind of fish whatsoever and are
hung on
a string. The ones I saw were from 5 inches to about 12 inches.
Apparently
you put them on a string, drop them through the ice and move them
around, a
fish comes up to investigate and you spear it. Like I said, never
heard from
them before and thought I had seen all types of fishing. Apparently
not.
Also they are valued high ti collectors. A modern one made by a well
known
Decoy maker can bring $150 and an antique (50s era) can bring 500 to
1000
dollars.