Ice fishing! It's a fun a popular sport that is growing in popularity. Vermont is a great state to try ice fishing, the state has an abundance of clean lakes and ponds and a wide variety of fishes that may be taken through the ice.

Vermont's frozen lakes hold plenty of trophy-size lake trout and northern pike. Some of the smaller ponds in the state have a large population of "pan fish".

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department has provided us with some ice fishing safety tips that every person going out onto frozen bodies of water should observe.

• Leave information about your ice fishing plans with someone before venturing out.
• Wear a personal floatation device, and do not fish alone.
• Always carry an ice spud or chisel to check the thickness and condition of the ice.
• Be extremely cautious crossing ice near river mouths, points of land, bridges, island, and over reefs and springs. Current almost always causes ice to be thinner over these areas.
• Avoid going onto the ice if it has melted away from the shore. This indicates melting is under way, and ice can shift position as wind direction changes.
• If open water is visible and the wind picks up, get off the ice! Waves from open water can quickly break up large areas of ice.
• Carry a set of hand spikes to assist you in getting onto the surface of the ice.
• Carry a safety line that can be used in the event someone falls through the ice.
• Leave you car or truck on shore. Every year several motor vehicles go through the ice on Vermont lakes, and many people have drowned as a result.
• If you are fishing in an ice house or fishing shanty be sure it has adequate ventilation to prevent deadly carbon monoxide poisoning. Open a window or the door partway to allow in fresh air.
  
  

We hope these ice fishing safety tips help and thank the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department for providing them.

Ice fishing can be fun for the entire family and a great way to enjoy the Vermont outdoors in winter. Ice fishing can also yield some outstanding rewards and life-long memories.

Enjoy Vermont in winter, try ice fishing at a Vermont lake or pond.