NORTHAMPTON, Massachusetts (WWLP) - The mild winter has made it difficult fishing in western Massachusetts since the ice is so thin.
"It's always dangerous, regardless of how much ice you have. Ice fishing inherently is dangerous," said fisherman Patrick Reed.
As Reed took his chances out on the vast expanse of the Ox-Bow Marina in Northampton, a few hundred yards away the Northampton Fire Department rescue team showed how to rescue someone who fell through the two inches of ice separating someone from the icy water.
"I wouldn't want to be out on ice that's this thick. I would prefer to see it much thicker before I get out there. How thick, I don't know, may four or five inches at least," said Northampton Fire Captain Bill Schuetze.
Patrick Reed said he's learned survival skills in the event the ice gave way.
"I wear Ice Picks in case you fall out there. Picks will help you get back on the ice. And you can see I'm not that far from shore. I won't go out in the middle where it's very deep and generally when the ice is like it is today, you want to stay close to shore," said Reed.
Northampton Deputy Fire Chief Timothy McQueston confirmed he heard a report that last week a fisherman went through the ice, but some friends rescued the man and got him safely to shore.
WWLP