The Valley Reporter – Ice Fishing for enjoyable and security

 Ice fishing acquired an early begin this winter with the chilly climate that started in December which has resulted in additional days to securely get pleasure from this enjoyable and accessible winter exercise.

 

 

“Ice fishing is generally more accessible than open water fishing,” says Shawn Good, a fisheries biologist with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.  “All you need to do is walk out onto a frozen lake or pond with some simple gear, drill a few holes in the ice, and enjoy being outside with friends and family while you wait for the fish to bite.”

Ice situations might be variable throughout Vermont, so anglers ought to use good judgement, know how to read the ice and test it often, and check with a local outdoor store or other anglers about area conditions when deciding the place to fish.  Anglers ought to at all times convey a spud bar to test the ice and a set of wearable ice picks for self-rescue, and let somebody know the place they’re going and once they plan to be again. 

“Three to four inches of clear black ice is the minimum for safe ice fishing,” mentioned Good.  “For the kind of cloudy gray ice we get after cycles of freezing, thawing, and re-freezing, we recommend anglers look for at least six inches of ice where they plan to fish.”

Perhaps most necessary for each security and enjoyable Good recommends at all times going ice fishing with a buddy, or a complete group of associates.

 

                                                      

 

“For many people, ice fishing is as much about being together with friends and relatives as it is about the fish,” mentioned Good.  “I’ve seen families out on the ice with grills, food and hot drinks having a great time.  They set their tip-ups, build snowmen and even skate and play pond hockey between bouts of fishing.”

To be taught extra about ice fishing strategies, security and locations to fish go to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s “Ice Fishing Basics” and “Ice Fishing Opportunities” webpages.  For these new to the game, the division’s “Let’s Go Fishing Workshops” supply alternatives to get pleasure from ice fishing with an skilled instructor and different new anglers all winter lengthy.