Posted: 1/29/03

First Lake ban continues; other restrictions lifted

A ban on all forms of motor vehicle traffic on First Lake remains in place this week, but restrictions on Second and Third lakes have been lifted.

Sgt. Jerry Cusick of the Washington County Sheriffís Office water patrol division said unsafe ice conditions and reports of open water on First Lake dictate the continuation of the vehicle ban on First Lake.

County authorities moved on Jan. 22 to close the entire chain of lakes to all forms of vehicle traffic. ìWe had some pretty irate ice fishermen calling,î Cusick said this week.

Colder temperatures over the past week led to improved ice conditions, he said. Barricades and signs beyond First Lake have been removed, he said.

More warning markers have been placed in the narrows where poor ice has been a traditional problem on the chain.

Ice anglers with fish houses on the lake have one month to make plans for moving their houses off the lake. State law requires all fish houses to be off the ice by midnight on Feb. 28.

Cusick said no decision has been made regarding vehicle use for anglers who have ice houses on First Lake.

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