Be ready for emergencies before you venture onto ice

OK, so many of us thought we might coast through this winter and emerge in another few weeks to enjoy an early start to 2007's fishing.
Just when we started to take it for granted that the recent cold snap was only a blip in the mild weather pattern that carried us through December and much of January, Mother Nature sent us a nasty reminder that it's February, after all.
So we sit back, shovel out or do whatever else we must do to deal with more than a foot of snow that is sure to linger even as we start speculating about whether March will arrive as a lamb or lion.
I'm guessing the former, based only on a hunch and the crazy swings of the past two months. In the meantime, with March 1 less than two weeks out, here are a few developments for anglers to contemplate while the snow flies and temperature plummets.
Icy caution
Everyone knows that traveling on snow-covered highways requires care and caution, which also are good watchwords for those who trek out on frozen lakes.
The ice on our local walleye, crappie and bluegill lakes has thickened to the point where anglers are venturing out to drill holes and drop lines. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources urges outdoor enthusiasts be extremely careful when traveling across frozen waters.
"We recommend that all persons who go out onto the ice wear a life jacket or float coat, be dressed appropriately to prevent hypothermia, and be prepared to handle any type of emergency," said Mike Quinn, acting director of the ODNR's Division of Watercraft.
Possibilities of falling through the ice exist regardless of its thickness, the ODNR warns. Additional safety tips include:
Carry two ice picks, screw drivers or large nails to create leverage for pulling yourself out of the water if you fall through. Also, carry a whistle or other noisemaker to alert people that you are in distress.
Dress in layers and add extra clothing for the head, neck, sides and groin, which are the primary heat-loss areas. Wool and modern synthetics are good fabric choices; cotton, when wet, is slow to dry.
Keep extra clothes in your car in case you do need dry clothing.
Avoid alcoholic beverages. In addition to reducing reaction times, alcohol lowers your internal temperature and increases the chances of suffering hypothermia.
Consider hiring a professional guide, particularly if you are heading out on Lake Erie. They know where the ice is relatively good and the location of bad spots.
Muskie update
The Division of Wildlife recently released an updated report on 2006 muskie catches reported by Ohio Huskie Muskie Club.
Locally, Lake Milton yielded 239 recorded muskie catches, some 147 of which were "huskies" or "honorable mention" fish. One Milton fished topped 50 inches.
West Branch had 77 reported muskie catches, followed by Pymatuning at 61 and Berlin at 15.
Ohio's top producing muskie lake in 2006 was Leesville in Carroll County.
jwwollitz@aol.com