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On Thin Ice ~ Late Winter Fishing Danger

Twice within the past 24 hours I have read reports of dramatic rescues of ice fishermen who fell through the ice, most recently on Greenwood Lake. Thankfully there have been no fatalities, but the potential of death by drowning or hypothermia are all too real. Maybe it's time to get off the ice.

I understand the urge winter sport enthusiasts feel to experience their beloved activity one more time before the weather changes permanently. While skiers and snow boarders hit the slopes more one time, ice fishermen are out on lakes auguring the ice and dropping their lines in hopes of catching one more big one. Ski slopes are groomed, so it's not too late for the skiers to get some enjoyment from their sport, but ice fishing is another matter.

Air temperatures fluctuate dramatically this time of year. Rapid shifts of 20 degrees or more are not uncommon. Ice that was thick and trustworthy as recently as a week ago is thinning fast. So please, for your safety and the safety of rescue personnel, retire your ice fishing gear for the season. Take this time to prepare your spring and summer fishing gear. Be patient. Spring is coming, and you will out on those lakes and streams filling your creels before you know it.

Posted by Rosario Lewis, GRI ~ DDR Realty, Orange County, NY on 03/07/2008 01:52 PM

Comments (12)

new york, orange county, greenwood lake, entertainment, ice fishing, sports, safety

12 Comments on On Thin Ice ~ Late Winter Fishing Danger

Rosario, I hadn't heard of this but I haven't been keeping the news on--this is a good warning, the temperatures are certainly fluctuating here in New York and they should stay safe...and off the ice.

03/07/2008 04:22 PM

by Carole Provenzale Owner, Feng Shui Long Island & New York (Feng Shui Long Island & New York City)

Carole - I happened to read about the Greenwood Lake incident in today's newspaper.

03/07/2008 07:12 PM

by Rosario Lewis, GRI ~ DDR Realty, Orange County, NY (DDR Realty)

Good advice. The temperature in this area is changing and fortunately there were no fatalities in these two cases.

03/08/2008 07:11 AM

by DDR Realty, Orange County, NY

Derrick -A major problem created by those who take a chance on going out on the thinning ice is the danger an accident put the emergency responders in.

03/08/2008 10:48 AM

by Rosario Lewis, GRI ~ DDR Realty, Orange County, NY (DDR Realty)

Rosario--We have had a pretty cold Feb and Mar after a mild Jan so our ice is still pretty thick but the DNR has had all icehouses removed from lakes already...It is a set date every year. Still there is always someone that goes through either in a car, on a snowmobile or just walking. Every fall and every spring.

03/08/2008 02:57 PM

by Teri Eckholm, Realtor® Anoka County MN (Keller Williams Premier Realty)

I remember a lot of these incidents from my childhood in Iowa, but lost track of it living in Chicago -- where Lake Michigan never freezes --- and then in Flagstaff where there are no significantly large bodies of water to freeze. But, a friend's dog feel through the ice on one of the golf course ponds a few weeks ago and she had to stretch out over the ice, with her buddy hanging onto her ankles from shore, to get the dog. Very exciting!

03/08/2008 06:28 PM

by Ann Heitland, Associate Broker, CRS, GRI , ABR ~ Flagstaff Real Estate/Community (Team Heitland at RE/MAX Peak Properties)

Rosario- Great advise. Winter sports can be enjoyable however one should keep in mind how quickly things can change if the temperature does.

03/08/2008 06:37 PM

by Jennifer Fivelsdal, Rhinebeck NY (Keller Williams Realty)

Teri - Here I see individuals on folding chairs, no ice houses. It would be easier to monitor ice houses.

Ann - The dog rescue does sound exciting.

Jennifer -I hope less sportsmen have to learn the hard way this season.

03/08/2008 07:18 PM

by Rosario Lewis, GRI ~ DDR Realty, Orange County, NY (DDR Realty)

Great public service announcement! I'm pretty sure those sportsmen who are willing to take that chance with their own lives aren't considering the lives of those who'll be out there to rescue them.

03/10/2008 01:48 PM

by Eugene Jones (Royster Real Estate)

Hi Rosario, it does not take long for ice to change from very safe to very dangerous. Most have been ice fishing so long they feel they know the ice conditions. This may not be the case. Nice warning post.

03/12/2008 10:15 AM

by Gary White~ Grand Rapids Real Estate, FLexIt Realty, a call or click away! (Flexit Realty~Serving West Michigan)

Eugene - That's right. I doubt they think of rescue workers often, but when an emergency occurs I'm sure they think of nothing else.

Gary - The peacefulness of ice fishing can probably lull one into a sense of security.

03/12/2008 02:53 PM

by Rosario Lewis, GRI ~ DDR Realty, Orange County, NY (DDR Realty)

Rosario, fishing on the ice??? I've never seen it personally and would love to see it, but from a distance and in a cabin!!! It is always better to be safe than sorry.

03/12/2008 08:32 PM

by Ray Nellum, Fort Smith Real Estate (Ramona Roberts Realtors)

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