Jim demonstrates the proper way to use an auger. Photo by Susan J Russo.

Eli Lagacy holds the pickerel proudly moments before releasing it. Photo by Susan J Russo.

On Saturday, March 3, a dozen people attended an ice fishing class held at the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge's collaborative Great Falls Discovery Center in Turners Falls, MA. Most of the participants had never fished or ice fished before! The course was led by Jim Lagacy of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife - one of the partners in the Great Falls Discovery Center. 

Every participant braved 3 inches of slush atop 18 inches of ice, drilled their own hole and many set tip-ups.  The group became ecstatic when a flag tipped up midway into the afternoon and young Eli Lagacy pulled out a hearty pickerel!  The rest of the day was spent jigging and story telling, but not another fish took the bait!