Review Ice Safety Guidelines Before Heading Out
New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos
today reminded anglers to be safe when venturing onto the ice this
season, especially given recent variations in weather conditions.
"New York State has been
experiencing wide-ranging temperatures and weather conditions, from
freezing to fairly mild," Commissioner Seggos said. "Given
these unpredictable fluctuations in weather, it is critical that winter
recreationists exercise extreme caution when doing anything on the ice,
including fishing, to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience."
Ice anglers should check the
thickness of ice before leaving the shore. Four inches of solid clear ice
is usually safe for anglers accessing ice on foot. However, ice thickness
can vary between waterbodies and even within the same waterbody,
increasing the need to ensure thickness. Anglers should be particularly
cautious of areas of moving water and around boat docks and houses where
bubblers may be installed to reduce ice from forming. Checking the ice
can easily be done with an auger or spud bar at various spots. In
addition, fishing with a family member or friend is also encouraged for
safety. Local bait and tackle shops are a great source for finding out
where there is safe ice and what anglers are catching.
Those interested in trying
ice fishing for the first time should mark the weekend of Feb. 18-19 on
their calendars. As a designated free
freshwater fishing weekend, the need for a freshwater fishing
license is waived during these days. This free fishing weekend is also a
great opportunity for experienced anglers to introduce someone new to
fishing.
For some fish species, ice
fishing can be more productive than open-water fishing. Given good ice
conditions, anglers normally limited to shore fishing can access an
entire waterbody.
Beginning ice anglers can
download the Ice Fishing Chapter (PDF) of
DEC's I FISH NY Beginners Guide to Freshwater Fishing
(PDF) for helpful information on how to get started. For
a more interactive option, DEC released a series of six ice fishing
videos on the agency's YouTube channel late last season. Visit the playlist to check out the
brief instructional videos. Additional information, including a list of
waters open to ice fishing, can be found on the DEC ice
fishing webpage, and also through the new Tackle Box feature
in DEC's HuntFishNY app. Fishing regulations, access
information, fish species present, and more can be accessed from a
map-based interface, all within the convenience of a smartphone.
The use of bait fish is
popular when ice fishing and may be used in most, but not all, waters
open to ice fishing. For more information on bait fish regulations visit DEC's
website.
To protect New York's waters
from invasive species and the spread of fish diseases, anglers are
advised to take these critical steps when using baitfish while ice
fishing:
·
Review and follow DEC baitfish regulations;
·
Ensure the use of baitfish is permitted
in the waterbody by checking the special 'regulations by county' section
of the fishing regulations guide;
·
Use only certified disease-free bait fish
purchased from a local tackle store (buyers must retain the receipt
provided to them while in possession of the baitfish);
·
Personally collected bait fish may only
be used in the same waterbody from which they were caught; and
·
Dump unused baitfish and water in an
appropriate location on dry land.
DEC reminds anglers to make
sure that they have a valid
fishing license before heading out on the ice. Fishing
licenses are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase.
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