Vermont’s Free Ice Fishing Day is Saturday
Jan. 27, 2023 | By Waterbury Roundabout Editor’s Note: The following was compiled from Vermont Fish & Wildlife news releases.
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department holds an Ice Fishing Festival for kids and others new to ice fishing at Silver Lake State Park in Barnard on Saturday. VTF&W photo by Joshua Morse
Vermont’s statewide Free Ice Fishing Day is this Saturday, Jan. 28, when any angler may ice fish on any waterbody open to ice fishing statewide without a fishing license.
To celebrate, the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department will host its first Ice Fishing Festival since 2020. This year it will take place at Silver Lake State Park in Barnard from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is free and open to all ages including families with children.
“Ice fishing is one of the most accessible forms of fishing and can be a great way to introduce people to how much fun fishing can be,” said Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Christopher Herrick. “This festival will demonstrate that ice fishing isn’t just about catching fish. It’s also a great way to spend some time outdoors with friends and family. You can skate, sled, make a snow fort, and have a cookout – all while waiting for the flags on your tip-ups to signal when you’ve caught a fish.”
Fish & Wildlife staff, as well as instructors from Vermont’s Let’s Go Fishing Program, will attend to teach ice fishing skills including knot-tying, baiting, using an ice fishing rod – and most importantly – how to stay safe on the ice.
They will also discuss fishing regulations and fish identification. Department staff will also run a fish fry station to cook up participants’ catch, and there will be plenty of hot cocoa as well.
Attendees are reminded to dress warmly in layers; wearing ice cleats is also strongly recommended.
“The Ice Fishing Festival typically draws between 500-700 participants for a day of fishing, skill-building, and community,” said Corey Hart, a Fish & Wildlife education specialist. “Everyone at the department is excited to be bringing this favorite winter celebration back after a two-year hiatus.”
People may bring their own equipment although gear will be available to borrow for the event. Although the event is free, registration is required either in advance or in person. Signing up online will allow participants to get out onto the ice faster. visit the Vermont Fish and Wildlife website.
Fundamentals of ice fishing
Ice-fishing tipups in use. Photo by Joshua Morse, VT Fish & Wildllife Dept.
Winter anglers know there are many spots around Vermont perfectly suited for ice fishing. Fish & Wildlife Department staff offer some tips to get out on the ice safely.
Fisheries Biologist Shawn Good points out that ice fishing is “quick to learn, affordable and generally more accessible and social than open-water fishing.”
Given that Vermont’s weather has just recently taken a turn for the cold, anglers are reminded to take precautions to choose a safe spot.
“A minimum of three to four inches of clear, black ice is safe to walk on,” advised Good. “If you’re unsure about ice thickness in your area, call your local bait and tackle shop. You can also look for other people out fishing. Experienced anglers know how to read the ice, so if you’re unsure, go where others are or have been.”
Know that ice thickness is not always uniform. Areas around pressure cracks or near stream or river inlets can be thinner and weaker than surrounding ice. It’s wise to carry a set of ice picks and a spud bar, head out with a partner, and let someone know where you will be fishing and when you plan on returning home, Good said.
Those just starting out will find that a hand-auger for cutting holes in the ice is the most expensive piece of equipment needed. These can be found at hardware or outdoors stores, or online, for under $50. Other essential gear: a scoop for clearing and keeping holes from freezing over, short ice fishing rods or tip-ups, and hooks, weights, lures and baits.
Safety gear essentials: micro-spikes for traction, a spud bar for testing ice thickness, sturdy waterproof boots and plenty of layers to keep warm.
If you have success, there’s a reward after an ice-fishing outing: “a healthy meal of tasty, locally caught fish,” Good said.
Vermont Fish & Wildlife has recipes online including videos on Vermont Wild Kitchen on YouTube, a partnership with the Vermont Farm to Plate Network's Rooted in Vermont program.
More information about ice fishing safety, tips for beginners, and places to fish is online at Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s Ice Fishing Basics and Ice Fishing Opportunities webpages.