This is a tricky year ice-wise with freezing weather for a couple of days and then warmth and rains for a couple of days. Its driving the ice fishing derby organizers and live bait sellers crazy. MassWildlife has some suggestions before heading out onto the ice. I know you have probably read these MassWildlife recommendations in this column many times, but there’s always a new crop of inexperienced ice fishermen who may not know the possible dangers of ice fishing.
- Tell someone your plans, including where you are going and when you expect to return.
- Carry a cell phone in case of emergency. Carry ice picks and rope with you on the ice. In case of emergency, drive the nails into the ice and pull yourself to safety while kicking.
- Wear your life jacket. If you fall in, a life jacket will keep you at the surface and can provide insulation against the effects of cold water.
Ice thickness guidelines
The guidelines below are for clear, blue ice on lakes and ponds. White ice or snow ice is only about half as strong as new clear ice and can be very treacherous. Use an ice chisel, auger, or cordless drill at regular intervals to determine its thickness and condition.
Usually, if the ice thickness is 2” or less, stay off. You can walk and fish on 4” of ice. You should have 5” if you ride a snowmobile or an ATV on ice. There should be 8 to 12” for a car or small pick-up. A medium truck should not go out onto the ice if there is not at least 12 – 15 inches of ice.
Falling through the ice
If you fall in:
- Don’t panic: Call for help if there are people nearby.
- Don’t remove winter clothing: Air trapped in your clothes can provide warmth and help you float.
- Turn the direction you came from, ice you previously walked on should be the safest.
- Place your hands and arms on an unbroken surface and kick your legs: If you have ice picks use them to pull yourself up onto the ice while kicking.
- Once your torso is on firm ice, lie flat and roll toward thicker ice to distribute your weight.
- Find shelter and get warm: Change out of wet clothing and find warm, dry coverings. If you are in a remote area, get to or start a campfire. Otherwise, get to a car or house. Seek medical advice.
If someone else falls in, remember the phrase “Preach-Reach-Throw-Go.”
- Preach: Call 911 if you can. Shout to the victim to reassure them help is on the way.
- Reach: If you can safely reach them from shore, extend an object like a rope, jumper cables, tree branch, or ladder to them.
- Throw: Toss one end of a rope or something that will float to the victim.
- Go: If the situation is too dangerous for you to perform a rescue, call 911 or go to find help. Untrained rescuers can become victims themselves.
- Keep pets leashed while walking on or near ice. If a pet falls in, don’t attempt to rescue it, go find help. Well-meaning pet owners can easily become victims themselves when trying to assist their pets.
Nice trout hauled out of Stockbridge Bowl
On Monday, January 22, Brian Duffy of Rehoboth, MA was ice fishing on Stockbridge Bowl with his buddy Johnny Cullen of Cumberland, RI. He was jigging with a lure called the “Wonder Bread” (Colors and design similar to Wonder Bread packaging – red, blue and yellow circles).
Around noon, something hit the lure and a heck of a battle ensued. It really must have been something fighting that fish with his 3-foot jigging rod. With the help of Johnny, the fish, a beautifully colored brown trout, was finally pulled through the hole. It measured 22 ½ inches long and weighed 4.35 lbs. on the Onota Boat Livery certified scales.
That qualifies Brian to receive a bronze pin in Massachusetts’ Freshwater Sportsfishing Awards program. (An Adult Catch & Keep Brown Trout must weigh at least 4 lbs. to be eligible to receive a bronze pin.)
Ice fishing derbies scheduled next weekend
On Saturday, February 3 from 6:00am to 12:00pm the Lanesboro Volunteer Fire Association will be sponsoring an ice fishing derby on Pontoosuc Lake. Entry fee is $15 for adults, kids 12 and under enter free. You must register behind the park on Narragansett Avenue. The entry fee includes a chance at a door prize. There will be cash prizes and free coffee and cocoa. The raffle ticket drawing follows the derby.
The Coles Memorial Hard Water Ice Fishing Derby is scheduled to take place on Goose Pond on Sunday, February 4 from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm. That’s assuming there is sufficient ice. Ice updates and ticket sale info will be posted. They are holding off on selling tickets until they have a better feel for the ice conditions.
If it does take place, prizes and a raffle will follow on the ice near the boat ramp.
Tickets cost $10.00 for adults and free for kids 12 and under. There will be cash prizes for adults. All proceeds will go toward a memorial donation to the boat ramp in the name of the late Evan Colbert.
Basic Hunter Education course
Basic hunter education is mandatory for all first-time adult hunters. MassWildlife offers Basic Hunter Education in two formats. Each format covers the same material and students take the same final exam.
Blended: Students complete the online MA hunter study guide before attending one in-person Field Day.
In-person (traditional): Students attend an entirely in-person, instructor led course that is offered over multiple days.
All courses are free of charge and open to the public.
An in-person course is being offered at the Cheshire Rod & Gun Club, 310 Curran Road, Cheshire, on the following Monday and Friday evenings: February 12, 16, 19, 23, 26 and March 1 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Attendance at all 6 nights is required.
The instructors are: Greg Armstrong and Wayne McLain of North Adams and Mike Denault of Stamford, VT. Mike and Wayne have been teaching the course for 20 years and Greg has been teaching it for 40 years.
To enroll, call 508-389-7830 or click onto: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/basic-hunter-education-course for all the details.
Annual Pheasant Fundraising Turkey Shoot & Dinner –
The Lee Sportsmen’s Association invites you to its Annual Pheasant Fundraising Turkey Shoot & Dinner being held on Sunday, February 4. The shoot runs from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm. Prizes include NY strip steaks, turkeys, pork loins, and spiral hams. The dinner will be from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm. The cost for adults is $15 and children 12 and under $10.
For more information, contact Secretary John Polastri at (413) 822-8278.
Every year, MassWildlife stocks an average of 40,000 pheasants on Wildlife Management Areas and other lands open to the public. LSA helps raise and release these wonderful birds, which are stocked for recreational hunting and are paid for by revenue from license fees. However, the cost of raising and releasing the pheasants is the responsibility of LSA, and the caretakers are all Club volunteers. So, you are asked to come on out for a day of fun and delicious food, and help support a great cause to ensure our continued legacy of wildlife management and hunting heritage in the Berkshires.
New England Fishing Expo
On February 2 – 4 the New England Fishing Expo will take place at the Best Western Royal Plaza Trade Center, 181 Boston Post Road West, Marlborough, MA.
There will be seminars and demonstrations by celebrities and industry professionals as well as exhibitors from all around New England to show you their newest products. They have a trout pond, boats on display and bass tank demonstrations. You are invited to experience the latest innovations in freshwater, ice, saltwater fishing and boating. Try out their best gear, talk to top manufacturers, guides and learn from world class industry professionals.
The hours are as follows: Friday from 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Saturday from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm and on Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Entrance fee is $15.00 for adults and children 12 and under free.