How many people have you heard have fallen threw the ice?... is it a epidemic?.. I haven't heard of any and I drive by emerald lake every day and there are people out there living life!. I personally don't have a urge to ice fish, mainly because of the cold but to each there own

How thick was it?

I'm sure that's what all these guys told their families before they went in. Not worth the risk.

Welp, there's #4...

Moving from Martha’s Vineyard by any chance?! Lived there with my wife for 6 years or so before moving back home. Really depends where you are, but I would think you’d be safe with 5a from the sounds of your comments. Have a good growing season!

Tons of people here saying ice fishing is dead and such just have no idea the difference between locations. Would I be on lake Champlain right now? Fuck no. But smaller lakes and ponds still have 6+ inches of ice and are extremely safe to be on with just fishing gear or maybe a 4 wheeler.

However, yesterday was probably one of the last days you'd see me on any body of water. certainly wont be out there again unless we have another long session of cold weather.

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These men went out on lake champlain at a remarkably stupid time and paid the price for it, not all fishermen are going to do that shit.

If teachers were paid like doctors our country would be so much better. Meaning the vocation would attract the best and brightest.

Cannot stress enough the way to achieve this is to be more compassionate to yourself and others when things don't go to plan.

Man we really wanted to go fishing, because we have fun together. Let's find other things to do instead can actually be a VERY hard pivot to make. Even for fun things with people you like.

Compassion for yourself and others. Accept no substitutes.

No

Always be willing to abort seems to be a hard life skill to learn. Whether it's not going out on questionable ice or not finishing a bad book, people push through and do the thing even if it's questionable way too often.

Yes. It totally does.

Tbh I didn't even read the article when I posted my first comment. The context of that is actually quite sad. My apologies, I was just referring to people going out on their own accord. Gotta be smart about it or don't take the risk.

On the other hand. FREE ICE FISHING FOR ANYONE WHO OWNS A VACATION HOME IN VT! ICE CONDITIONS PREMO VERDE! JUST HAVE TO PROVE YOU OWN A VACA HOME OR MULTIPLE SHORT TERM RENTALS IN VT.

Lake Bomoseen is weird. The channel at the south end freezes before the lake and then once the lake is fully frozen the channel opens up.

That's fucking insane, the pond nearby me didn't even freeze over this year, crazy to think that people would be out their like that.

Yeah, the Wi-Fi out there sucks.

It weighs more than a truck, so you tell me genius.

Yeah but the problem is the ice never got thick in the first place this winter.

What is with people being so cruel now a days? Plenty of people dont pay attention to social media and crap, many like to get outside and live- you know how most Vermonters have always been. It was a damn fishing derby, if the ice was THAT thin and dangerous the officials should of cancelled it.

Losing people is never a joking matter, no wonder Vermont has become such a mess lately if people have attitudes like that.

You can go ice fishing you just have to be willing to call it off if conditions are unsafe. Always wear ice spikes, never go alone. Bring a spud bar, use and auger or drill to check ice depth. Don't drag all your shit on the ice, have a smaller setup on foot. Don't use a snowmobile or ATV unless you have to.

Use your head! It's not worth dying over but not seeing why ppl are still going for it is an empathy failure. The behavior isn't ok but shaming and hitting with the stick won't teach people to make safe choices.

ALWAYS BE READY TO ABORT FISHING EVEN IF YOU REALLY REALLY WANNA GO AND YOU JUST DROVE THREE HOURS AND THIS IS YOUR ONLY WEEKEND.

Patience is hard. Have compassion for yourself and others about this.

Find other ways to enjoy VT / go fishing till safe temp open water returns. Or drive north and use your head to find safe ice.

I mean, I'm not sure what to tell you, but grown men should understand the risks of going out on a frozen lake. If they had dementia or something else, sure, that's another problem. I was taught to carefully check how thick the ice is before taking such a huge risk. Like I don't think you can really sympathize with someone going out on ice in 50° sunshine.

Cyberboat

I may be in the minority but it's not like I'm going to fall through th-

Doesn’t change narrative of “be like me or you’re wrong” does it?

You’re being extremely cruel, all three of the men that died were old men and two of them were very old. They probably weren’t keeping up with the weather then did what they always did and that’s go ice fishing. it cost them their lives and I doubt their families would appreciate your opinion.