
With the late begin to ice fishing season, the Ontario Conservation Officers Affiliation (OCOA) is urging anglers to make use of warning when heading out this winter.
“Heat temperatures have brought about many lakes to freeze slowly or by no means in lots of components of southern and Central Ontario,” OCOA President Derek Hebner stated in a Jan. 23 press launch. “The dearth of ice, coupled with heavy snowfall, has brought about many lakes to have extreme slush. This blizzard and slush will sluggish additional ice formation and trigger travelling on the ice to grow to be very troublesome till colder temperatures arrive.”
Hebner inspired anglers who’re planning a fishing tour to examine the ice circumstances typically, plan forward and be ready. “By following some easy security measures, it might save your life or the lifetime of another person.”
Ice security suggestions
- Verify ice thickness and circumstances continuously
- Clear ice must be a minimal of 10 cm (4”) for strolling and ice fishing, 12 cm (5”) for one snowmobile or ATV, 20-30 cm (8-12”) for a automotive or small pickup, 30-38 cm (12-15”) for a medium truck (supply: Lifesaving Society)
- Fish with a buddy
- Be ready for an emergency – put on ice picks or a floater/survival swimsuit, and have a whistle and mobile phone readily available
- Let somebody know the place you can be and once you plan to return. This could embrace the place your automobile shall be parked, what route you intend to take and any stops you intend to make
- Keep off rivers and away from locks, the place ice is much less secure. Ice circumstances in areas of shifting water or spring fed lakes may be unsafe at any time, make sure the ice is protected earlier than venturing out.
“For a lot of anglers, ice fishing may be the spotlight of their fishing 12 months,” Hebner stated. “But when the ice circumstances aren’t protected, we recommend holding off on heading out till ice circumstances enhance. We want all Ontarian’s a protected winter season.”
Anglers are reminded to assessment the 2024 Leisure Fishing Laws Abstract, out there on-line right here and at Ministry of Pure Sources and Forestry (MNRF) places of work. Anybody with details about a pure assets or public security associated offence is inspired to name the MNRF violation reporting line at 1-877-847-7667, their native Conservation Officer, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
For extra details about pure assets rules and enforcement, click on right here
For extra on ice fishing security, click on right here
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