Participants learning how to "jig" (Kathy Fournier).

Chelsea St. Louis with her prize catch (Kathy Fournier).

The Nulhegan Basin Division of the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge in Brunswick, Vermont, in partnership with Northwoods Stewardship Center, and the Island Pond, Vermont Chamber of Commerce, teamed up to sponsor a free "Intro to Ice Fishing" event on the morning of Saturday, February 7, 2009. The ice fishing event this year was scheduled as part of the Island Pond Winter Carnival.

In addition to staff participants from the Division and Northwoods Stewardship Center, the Friends of the Nulhegan provided the use of their ice shack and prepared the tackle, while Northern Wildlife Taxidermy and Sport donated the bait.

During this oh so chilly morning event, participants - including 15 Japanese exchange students from nearby Lyndon Institute - learned how to operate an ice auger to drill through the ice, "fish" out the ice, set a "tip-up", attach bait, use a "jig", and most importantly - exhibit a large measure of PATIENCE. All of which is needed to enjoy this winter sporting activity. 

Overall, the event was a success, although the fish could have been a little more cooperative. Chelsea St. Louis of Greensboro, VT caught not only the first fish of the day, but the first fish she had ever caught!  Although 20 participants had pre-registered, a total of 30 people took part in the event.  The Nulhegan Basin Division is the only known field station to sponsor such a program in the Northeast Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and has participated in this annual event since 2003.