Ice Eaters and bubblers.

[mike304]

don't know if this topic has been broached on the site before, but what is the feeling out there about ice eaters around docks preventing access to the ice? its an ongoing problem around here in spots.

[vtpike]

There are not a ton of Bubblers in the Vermont Lakes. Although I do suggest setting up close to them especially on late snow covered ice when oxygen levels are low. I have had some nice action at that time of yeardoing so. You can't stop someone from doing it so adapt to it!

If you are lucky they might not want you fishing there and will turn off the bubbler, than your access to the water is all set again! You must like on the bright side. For every action there is a reaction.

[Irrgang131]

There is one at the Small boat harbor along buffalos shoreline of lake erie.  It doesnt reall afect anyone though.  There is a sign there saying thin ice, but once everything freezes up good you can get fairly close to it with no trouble. 

[mike304]

its become a little bit of a problem here on Lake George in NY. it has even sparked a letter writing debate to the local paper between some lakefront owners and Jeff Goldberg, owner of Fish307.com. the problem is that the landowners are aiming the ice eaters out instead of up, eroding the ice from underneath and weakening it, sometimes a long way out into the lake. unfortunately you can't always see the weak spots, and it can get hairy.
one landowner has an ice eater, even though he has no dock. he claims he is trying to keep fishermen off his property. the problem with his argument is that there is public access nearby, so nobody is going on his property in the first place. he's just creating a man made hazard. its just a matter of time before someone gets hurt.