Winter in Massachusetts forces many fishermen off the water while the cold weather moves in and ice begins to cover many of the state’s freshwater bodies. There are a number of lakes and ponds near Boston with ice fishing access. Before venturing onto the ice, it is important to do so safely in order to stay dry and productive.
First, it’s important to do research on the body of water in question. Some ponds near Boston, like Jamaica Pond for instance, do not permit ice fishing, although shore fishing is permitted there year round, according to Mass.gov. There are a number of safety measures that one should follow before and during a winter outing.
According to Martin Conroy, Training Captain for the Arlington Fire Department, it is important to be properly equipped when heading out onto the ice. This includes dressing with warm clothing and having a lanyard with “ice picks, and a personal flotation device,” to make a self-save possible after falling through the ice.
There is training twice a year for those involved with Arlington Fire Department, Conroy said, “everyone has the ability to [use] a mustang rescue suit, man the boat, or assist from shore.”
Last year three separate distress calls occurred on the same day of people falling through the ice at Spy Pond, as well as a separate case at Arlington Reservoir, Conroy said.
However, there is great variance in the number of ice accidents that the Arlington Fire Department gets called for. Some years have none, despite the accidents occurring in a single season.
Further north, in Methuen, the fire department responds to anywhere between 10 and 15 calls per ice season, according to Fire Investigator, Lieutenant James McLachlan. He noted an incident of a snowmobile cracking through the ice at Forest Lake last year.
“Our standard response in Methuen is that no ice is safe ice, it could be eight inches [thick] in one spot and three inches in another,” McLachlan said. “People do it at their own risk. You do not know the conditions under the water,”
There are more river rescues than lake rescues due to the presence of moving water, and lakes are more predictable in terms of safety, McLachlan said.
McLachlan noted an incident from “[20] years ago, where children fell through the ice in the Merrimack.” In December 2002, seven children ventured out onto a thinly frozen Merrimack River, all fell through the ice and tragically, four drowned, according to Eagle Tribune.
The four children were William Rodriguez, 11, Christopher Casado, 7, Victor Baez, 9, and Mackendy Constant, 8. This tragedy highlights the importance of ice safety for all people, as small children can fall through without the ability or strength to self-rescue, according to McLachlan.
In terms of fishing locations, however, people around Boston should not necessarily fear the ice, but rather respect it. Arlington Bait and Tackle Owner Rodney Zukowski said, “not one customer has had to be rescued.”
The popular locations are Spy Pond, Mystic Lakes, White Pond, and Walden Pond, all productive fishing spots, Zukowski said. “Panfish, trout, pike, tiger musky, perch, and bass,” are readily available to catch in these locations.
Pike and tiger musky are exclusive to Spy Pond. White Pond and Walden Pond are known for good catches of trout through the ice each winter.
Zukowski said that ice fishermen check when they go out, and the people who fall through usually are not ice fishermen.
“[Fishermen] have a spud bar or drill and check [thickness]. If it is not safe, they turn around and go home,” Zukowski said.
Local angler John Zoetjes, 21, of Brookline, ice fished several times and has had good luck. His luck has come using live bait such as shiners and minnows left to soak, as well as small micro-jig style presentations tipped with worms or minnows.
“Ice fishing is a great way to get out on the water when the water seems to be gone, but you walk out, drill a hole and there it is.” Zoetjes said. He added that “three months is too long to wait for me to wet a line and pull on some fish.”
Caution and personal safety is the most important thing, however, when venturing onto the ice, experts say.
This is precisely why fire departments, those often responsible for rescuing mistaken ice-goers, never recommend that people venture out onto the ice, said McLachlan.
“I never go out there without at least a couple of ice picks, and I always drill test holes to make sure I am standing on solid ice. I tend to feel safer on darker, clear ice with no snow on it,” Zoetjes said.
“As a public safety entity, we have to tell people that the only safe ice is in a skating rink, just due to liability reasons.” Conroy said.
When ice fishing near Boston this winter, it is important to fish with a partner, as self saves can be difficult. “People use online charts as a guide for safety,” according to Conroy, but safety should never be taken for granted on the ice. It is important to get outside no matter the season, but safety is especially important under icy winter conditions.
Sources:
Captain Martin Conroy, Arlington F.D (781) 318-3816
Lieutenant James McLachlan, Methuen F.D (978) 804-1509
Rodney Zukowski, Owner, Arlington Bait & Tackle (781) 646-5598
John Zoetjes, Local Angler, (973) 954-6883