State offers for safe ice fishing tips

State offers for safe ice fishing tips

in February, a truck broke through the ice of Malletts Bay in Colchester after striking a pressure crack. The Chevrolet Suburban sat for 10 days before a makeshift crew pulled the partially submerged vehicle to safety before it could sink.

That's just the sort of scenario the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is hoping to avoid this year as ponds and lakes freeze over, drawing enthusiasts onto the ice for some popular winter recreation.

"Ice fishing can be safe and a lot of fun," Col. David LeCours, Vermont's chief game warden, said in a statement this week, "but when we go onto the ice, we need to use good judgment and observe several safety precautions."

To that end, the department is hoping ice fishers and others who are drawn to water bodies this winter observe the following safety tips:
Leave your car or truck on shore. Every year several motor vehicles go through the ice on Vermont lakes, and people have drowned as a result.
Leave information about your plans with someone -- where you intend to fish and when you expect to return.
Wear a personal floatation device.


Don't fish alone.
Ice varies in thickness and condition. Always carry an ice spud or chisel to check ice as you proceed.
Be cautious crossing ice near river mouths, points of land, bridges, islands and over reefs and springs. Current almost always causes ice to be thinner over these areas.

Avoid going onto the ice if it has melted away from the shore. This indicates melting is occurring, and ice can shift position as wind direction changes.
Waves from open water quickly can break up large areas of ice. If you can see open water in the lake, and the wind picks up, get off the ice.

Bring your cell phone with you.
Carry a set of hand spikes to help you work your way out onto the surface of the ice if you go through. Holding one in each hand, alternately punch them into the ice and pull yourself up and out. You can make these at home, using large nails, or you can purchase them at stores that sell fishing supplies.
Carry a safety line that can be thrown to someone who has gone through the ice.

Heated fishing shanties must have good ventilation to prevent deadly carbon monoxide poisoning. Open a window or door partway to allow fresh air to get inside.

The department also has announced that some Vermont ice-fishing regulations will change in the new year.
Several ponds will be off-limits to ice fishing to protect brown trout. They are Adams Reservoir and Red Mill Pond in Woodford; Big Mud Pond and Griffith Lake in Mt. Tabor; and Dufresne Pond in Manchester. Also closed to ice fishing are Hapgood Pond in Peru; North Pond in Chittenden; Stannard Pond in Stannard; Sterling Pond in Cambridge; and Vernon Hatchery Pond in Vernon.

Newark Pond in Newark will be open to ice fishing for the first time in decades, according to Fish and Wildlife. Officials say the yellow perch population is abundant in the Northeast Kingdom waterway.in February, a truck broke through the ice of Malletts Bay in Colchester after striking a pressure crack. The Chevrolet Suburban sat for 10 days before a makeshift crew pulled the partially submerged vehicle to safety before it could sink.

That's just the sort of scenario the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is hoping to avoid this year as ponds and lakes freeze over, drawing enthusiasts onto the ice for some popular winter recreation.
"Ice fishing can be safe and a lot of fun," Col. David LeCours, Vermont's chief game warden, said in a statement this week, "but when we go onto the ice, we need to use good judgment and observe several safety precautions."

To that end, the department is hoping ice fishers and others who are drawn to water bodies this winter observe the following safety tips:
Leave your car or truck on shore. Every year several motor vehicles go through the ice on Vermont lakes, and people have drowned as a result.
Leave information about your plans with someone -- where you intend to fish and when you expect to return.

Wear a personal floatation device.
Don't fish alone.
Ice varies in thickness and condition. Always carry an ice spud or chisel to check ice as you proceed.
Be cautious crossing ice near river mouths, points of land, bridges, islands and over reefs and springs. Current almost always causes ice to be thinner over these areas.

Avoid going onto the ice if it has melted away from the shore. This indicates melting is occurring, and ice can shift position as wind direction changes.

Waves from open water quickly can break up large areas of ice. If you can see open water in the lake, and the wind picks up, get off the ice.
Bring your cell phone with you.
Carry a set of hand spikes to help you work your way out onto the surface of the ice if you go through. Holding one in each hand, alternately punch them into the ice and pull yourself up and out. You can make these at home, using large nails, or you can purchase them at stores that sell fishing supplies.
Carry a safety line that can be thrown to someone who has gone through the ice.

Heated fishing shanties must have good ventilation to prevent deadly carbon monoxide poisoning. Open a window or door partway to allow fresh air to get inside.
The department also has announced that some Vermont ice-fishing regulations will change in the new year.

Several ponds will be off-limits to ice fishing to protect brown trout. They are Adams Reservoir and Red Mill Pond in Woodford; Big Mud Pond and Griffith Lake in Mt. Tabor; and Dufresne Pond in Manchester. Also closed to ice fishing are Hapgood Pond in Peru; North Pond in Chittenden; Stannard Pond in Stannard; Sterling Pond in Cambridge; and Vernon Hatchery Pond in Vernon.

Newark Pond in Newark will be open to ice fishing for the first time in decades, according to Fish and Wildlife. Officials say the yellow perch population is abundant in the Northeast Kingdom waterway.

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