Ice Fishing Heats Up Outdoor Magazine 2-22-2010
gengberg February 22nd, 2010
Breaking News
Ice Fishing Heats Up
If you are an ice angler than you know it has been a season to remember. A new state record brook trout in Maine and a new record walleye in Vermont
are just two of the fish that have fishermen rushing to the ice in near-record numbers. When you throw in a 26-pound northern winning a recent local derby, and the fact that March (traditionally one of the best ice fishing months) is just around the corner, there is much to be excited about.
There is a reason to be cautious, however, and that is ice conditions. With a mild February the thickness and quality of the ice is in a constant state of flux, and has caught some experienced outdoorsmen by surprise, including Maine State Game Warden Gary Allen, who went through the ice last week while riding an ATV on what was an established ATV trail. Fortunately he was wearing a flotation suit and was quickly pulled to safety.
Shortly after the accident, Maj. Gregg Sanborn, Maine’s deputy chief game warden, issued a warning alerting ice anglers to be extremely cautious on ice and to check it before venturing out.
“The ice on Sebago Lake is treacherous and these beautiful late winter days are making the ice conditions worse each day,” Sanborn said. “Maine game wardens are equipped and trained for such events, however, anytime a person ends up in the water in February - warden or not - it is a worse-case scenario.”
Despite the need for caution, there can still be plenty of great fishing before the spring-thaw, provided common sense is the foundation of your game plan.
“I haven’t seen it [the fishing] this good in a couple of years,” said one angler encountered Sunday on St. Albans Bay in St. Albans, Vermont. “I have been filling a bucket almost every day … lots of perch, both white and yellow, and a couple of crappie, too. We haven’t driven on for over week now, and I have noticed that I am even seeing less ATV’s the past couple of days,” he said.
For more information on ice safety, visit the website of your local fish and wildlife department, or call a local bait shop. When it comes to updated information, it is hard to beat the knowledge of these individuals.
To subscribe now, click here or call 1-800-499-0447
Share Outdoors Magazine
Do you have a friend who would enjoy receiving Outdoors Magazine emails?
Click here to sign up a friend!
Phone: 800-499-0447 | Web: www.outdoorsmagazine.net | Email: info@elkpublishing.com
- Fishing , Walleye , Conservation , Deer , Panfish , Trout , Ice Fishing , New Products , Northern Pike , Weekly Reports , Fly Fishing , Legislation in other States , Other states Programs , Moose , Wildlife , Bears , Crappies , Habitat , Websites , Magazines , Perch
