Here is the letter i sent:
My name is Henry Moncrief I reside in Alstead NH.
I am in full support of allowing ice fishing on spofford lake in Chesterfield NH.
I am also in awe as to the spofford lake associations reasoning behind not allowing Ice fishing!
my rebuttal to all of their reasons are as follows:
1. Spofford Lake is a Class A Lake by act of the legislature and given this, has the highest water quality designation in the State.
My response: Ok so what does this have to do with Ice Fishing exactly!? The jet ski's and motor boats on the lake all summer cause less pollution than an ice auger?
2.Town and area residents, with the help of state agencies, spend significant time and money protecting the quality of the lake.
My Response: I understand that you spend alot of Money preserving the lake...But how about us fisherman? Every legal fisherman in NH spends $35.00 to legally partake in fishing in the State of New Hampshire....Non residents even more! And this money goes directly to Fish and Game to assist paying for 1) STOCKING of Spofford Lake, and 2) Enforcing fish and game/marine laws on SPOFFORD LAKE
My question to the Spofford lake association is: So who exactly should be allowed to access the lake year round and enjoy it recreationally? Just the non fishing area residents? Seems to me that NH fisherman may just contribute a tad bit more to Spofford Lake then you realize.
3.We believe that ice fishing will expose Spofford Lake to substantial additional pollution sources, thus endangering water quality.
my response: I understand you are worried about pollution the Lake....As i stated above, Don't you think the numerous motor boats and jet ski's that are on Spofford lake may contribute some sort of Pollution to the lake? I mean the hundreds if not thousands of visitors to the lake on a given summer may leave some trash, or other contaminants in the lake as well?
I know I ice fish ALOT. and I always leave a body of water cleaner than I found it. I dont need to do this, but I feel that it is the least I can do for being able to fish a given lake/pond/stream.
My question to the Lake association is: Where do they think the pollution will be coming from via Ice Fisherman? IF its power Ice augers....then we need to seriously consider banning motor boats and Jet ski's from the lake as well. Or if they want to compromise and the NH fisherman are feeling generous...maybe we should allow only hand/electric and propane augers while ice fishing Spofford Lake.
4. Because Spofford Lake is spring-fed, ice thickness varies significantly. Ice fishing will expose fishermen to hazards of thin ice.
My Response: I understand that the lake association is worried about Ice fisherman....They should also be worried about the cross country skiiers,snowshoer's and snowmobilers who are often on the lake on any given day. If this is there reasoning for not allowing Ice fishing...then we certainly should not allow any of the above mentioned activities.
5. By fishing Spofford Lake's springs in the winter, the breeder fish will be culled, diminishing the Lake's fishing stock for the coming year(s).
My Response: So not only is Spofford Lake association being stereotypical...but now they are fish scientists and biologists? What proof do they have that Ice fishing will cause a major plummet in the Lakes overall Fish population? I would like to see this study or else it is just a blanket statement.
On another note, It is the job of the STATE EMPLOYED biologist and law makers to decide what and how many fish can be taken.. They can even place a slot or size restriction on fish to save the "breeder fish" from being culled.
5. Ice fishing increases the likelihood of trespassing and attendant results (property damage/break-ins) at or near seasonal properties.
My Response: I understand that the lake association feels that at least a small minority of Ice fisherman are thieves and criminals?!?!? I would also like to see a crime log and a competitive comparison for the state that shows Ice fisherman are more prone to break into a seasonal camp than an ordinary citizen.
IF ANYTHING, Ice fisherman are an extra set of eyes and ears on a lake to prevent or deter this from happening.
In short,
I hope the state finds this email to be short and to the point. After reviewing the Lake association's previously mentioned questions It is clear to me that they have one single agenda. The agenda to not allow Ice fishing on Spofford Lake. Their reason is not just, and the statements that they have made against Ice Fisherman as a whole group are absurd blanket statements with no scientific, criminal or quite frankly educated facts to support them. As an avid sportsman in this state who spends thousands annually on licenses, gear, registrations, fuel, food, hotel rooms, among other various expenses, and as a fisheries/wildlife conservation degree graduate,, I am truly disappointed in the statements that the Spofford Lake association has come forward with. I hope that Fish and Game considers this email when they decide whether or not to allow Ice fishing on Spofford Lake. To me the decision is an easy one...NH Fisherman pay for the right to fish the water, LET THEM DO IT! My contact information is below for anyone who would like to discuss this matter further with me.
Thank you and best regards,
Henry Moncrief
Email:
[email protected]cell phone 603-209-0751
