Ice fishing has a long, rich history in Vermont, having played an important role in both the livelihood of native peoples and the recreation of sport fishers. It is a sport that has greatly evolved over time, from outdoor fishing with simple hand-augered holes in the ice to fishing in heated shanties equipped with sonar fish finders and cell phone chargers. Technology isn’t the only thing that has changed ice fishing over the years. Climate change and warming temperatures mean fewer days on the ice each year and fewer fishing options. 

This online panel will look at the cultural, social, and environmental issues surrounding ice fishing, what it means to those who participate in it, and how it may continue to evolve and change in the future