VT Fishing Guide Safety Tips For Ice Fishing

Ice fishing is a popular sport in New England and especially in Vermont. Each winter thousands of people venture out onto the ice on Vermont’s frozen lakes to catch fish. Sadly, each winter there are ice fishing accidents that happen because people are not being safe on the ice or doing enough research to know how thick the ice really is. Here are some VT Fishing Guide safety tips to get you through the winter this year. 

VT Fishing Guide Ice safety

 

1 Ice Thickness

Don’t go out on the ice unless it is atleast 2 inches thick. Anything thinner than this is not safe. Two inches is the minimum, but many wait until the ice is 4 inches thick. Snowy ice is less sturdy than ice that is clear and hard. Make sure you check the thickness before you venture out onto the ice this year. 

 

2 River Ice

River ice is never safe to venture out on! If you have to cross a river be very cautious when crossing a river near the mouth, bridges, islands and reefs. These areas in most rivers typically have thinner ice and can break very easily. If you don’t have to, don’t go out onto the river. Fast moving waters prevent the ice from freezing to the same thickness as a lake. 

 

3 Stay Safe On The Ice

Avoid driving on the ice. If you really need to drive your vehicle on the ice, make sure you unbuckle your seatbelt and have a clear plan of action to get out of the car if it breaks through the ice. Most modern cars today have power windows. Make sure you have your window down or a device that will shatter your window quickly in case the ice breaks. The last thing you want is to get trapped in the car while is submerges into freezing waters. Here are some tips if you drive on the ice. 

1. Move your car frequently. Letting it sit in one spot for a great length of time will weaken the ice and cause it to break through. 

2. Drive your car to the spot, drop your equipment and then drive your car back to the shore and park there. 

3. Let your friends or family know where you are going ice fishing and how long you are going to be there. This way they will know when you are expected to return and can call for help if you get stranded. 

4. Make sure you ventilate your heated Shanti well during ice fishing season. It is very easy to succumb to carbon monoxide poisoning due to poor ventilation. 

5. Before you venture out on the ice use an ice pick to test the ice thickness. Wear a safety rope the first time you go out in case you fall through. 

6. Don’t fish alone! It is always better to fish with other people. 

 

Happy fishing this winter! Remember if you don’t catch fish with us, we don’t get paid! 

C K
C K
February 22, 2022.
We had an excellent time with Keith for Ice fishing! Caught a Northern Pike on a jigging rod of all things! Keith was always professional, friendly, and very instructive. Highly recommend!
Erin Courcey
Erin Courcey
January 24, 2022.
Keith really runs a terrific private ice fishing excursion!! From the start, Keith was extremely responsive, organized and full of knowledge and excitement over our family’s desire to try ice fishing for the first time. Keith was thorough in his planning with us so that we were prepared and comfortable with our plans. The day was amazing—-Keith is an expert fisherman, and he so was patient with all of us non fishermen/women. We learned so much and really had the time of our lives with Keith! We will definitely do another excursion with Keith soon, and highly recommend him!
David Malfetano
David Malfetano
January 17, 2022.
Keith is a fantastic guide and was very helpful to our inexperienced crew. Would certainly book this tour again!
Jon Boudreau
Jon Boudreau
January 17, 2022.
Keith and his dad run a great service and provided us with an excellent time on the lake. He knows what he’s doing and takes his time to teach the tour group. Absolutely would book again.
Luke C
Luke C
January 17, 2022.
One of the best fishing experiences I’ve had. Everything was organized, well run, and an absolute blast. Hard to find a better charter!
Kristin Bitter
Kristin Bitter
October 10, 2021.
My family and I had an awesome time out on Lake Morey this weekend with Keith!! He had a great boat, a bunch of different tackle, and put us onto some really nice fish.
Sean Bitter
Sean Bitter
October 10, 2021.
Great fishing! Lots of big fish! Keith is the best
Mike Seaton
Mike Seaton
September 2, 2021.
We went out with stay bent recently and had a great experience! We caught many fish and the guide was very knowledgeable
Christopher Augello
Christopher Augello
August 31, 2021.
Awesome day on the lake. Keith was awesome , great teaching my kids how to fish and me . Caught a bunch of fish too.
Chris Ritter
Chris Ritter
August 30, 2021.
We had a blast fishing with Keith last week. He put us on nonstop action on a hot day, which is not easy. The lake was beautiful and fun to jump in as well. My nine-year-old daughter does not have a ton of fishing experience, but he was able to get her working the retrieves perfectly, and she ended up out fishing me by a long shot! We got largemouth, smallmouth, rock bass, Pickerel, Perch, and sunfish. Keith is great with kids, and a lot of fun to hang out with for grown-ups. His boat and equipment are top notch as well. I would recommend this guy to anyone, And we are looking forward to our next trip which might be some ice fishing.

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