SOUTH ROYALTON, Vt. (WCAX) – The recent cold spell has some anglers and outdoor enthusiasts ready to hit the ice. But state officials warn people to be prepared.
On a cold day, the McIntosh Pond in South Royalton appears frozen. But state officials say make sure you check the ice before you go out.
“We’ve been waiting all year to get out on the ice, and your very first thing when you get out to a lake like this is just because it looks safe, you want to make sure that you’re checking it before you get out there, because ice doesn’t form uniform. That’s going to be just because I have six inches here, you might have four inches over there, and you want to make sure you’re checking as you get out there,” said Corey Hart, an education specialist with the Vt. Department of Fish and Wildlife.
That involves having the right tools.
“You wouldn’t want to use a stick because you’d want to use something that’s a little bit more hard. Some people use, I’ve seen crowbars, rock bars. Basically you just want just something that’s got enough strength that when you put it through the ice, it’ll make an indent,” Hart said.
This is extra important during the early season or on warm days.
“If I do one whack and it goes through, it won’t hold me. But if it doesn’t go through, that’s usually enough for me to keep walking out there and checking the ice as I go. So they go on those early season conditions, though, like what we have today, you want to make sure that every step you’re taking, you’re using that spud bar and you’re checking,” Hart said.
It’s not just for people going ice fishing.
“If there’s any doubt, if the ice looks thin, like lot of cracks, like maybe just not go out that day,” said Chris Floreani, a Vermont game warden.
Floreani says ice of about 3.5 inches is good if you are walking, but 8 inches is needed if you bring an ATV or snowmobile out on the frozen water.
“When you go out, you also need to have your machine registered. Needs to have insurance. You also should wear a helmet. Need to wear a helmet. And speed limit on these. These are considered public highways, 50 miles an hour, but you also need to drive at a reasonable prudent speed for the conditions as well, because there could be hidden obstacles that you may not see and that can end up, you know, seriously injuring yourself,” Floreani said.
The key is the equipment, dressing warmly and making sure you have ice picks in case you fall through.
“If you fall through the ice, first thing you want to do is remain calm. But with these readily accessible, you can use them to assist getting out of the ice is because you can imagine it’s slick. So, you know, if you fall through, take a deep breath, you know, get your ice picks. Turn around the way you just came in, because, you know, the ice is safe. Press down with the ice pick and crawl out. Once you’re out of the water, roll away from the hole, and then get up, and then get off the water and get to a, you know, back to your vehicle or your shack, and get rid of those clothes, because hypothermia can set in pretty quickly,” Floreani said.
A reminder to be safe while getting out and having fun.