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When Maryville's City Manager Matt LeCerf caught wind of an ice fishing clinic going on at Mozingo Lake this weekend, he became slightly concerned.
The Missouri Department of Conservation was about to hold its Second Annual Ice Fishing Workshop. This is a problem because ice fishing is prohibited at Mozingo Lake — a fact unknown to many community members and even the MDC.
This was an issue of discussion during Monday's city council meeting.
The MDC already has more than 60 people registered for the workshop and because the city may not have communicated as clearly as they should have, LeCerf contacted the city's insurance company to see what could be done on such short notice.
MIRMA is working on a waiver that participants will be required to sign before stepping out on the ice Saturday. While it isn't 100 percent certain whether the clinic will go on as planned, LeCerf said there is a 99.9 percent chance it will.
LeCerf said the city is fairly certain something will be worked out this week for the clinic to proceed Saturday — providing that every participant sign the necessary liability waiver. Anyone who is under the age of 18 will be required to have a legal guardian or parent over the age of 18 sign the waiver as well.
After discussion Monday night from MDC employees Tory Mason, Harold Kerns and Ed Higdon, city council members agreed that the issue wasn't whether or not they felt people should be able to ice fish at their own risk — but the liability factor behind it.
The city council in place in 1996 passed an ordinance that stated fish could be taken from Mozingo Park in accordance with the provisions of the Missouri Wildlife Code, but that fishing from boat docks and ice fishing is prohibited. According to LeCerf, there is no signage posted at the lake stating that ice fishing is prohibited — a reason why Mason himself has been ice fishing on the lake for years.
Mason said he understands the liability issue, or rather the safety aspect of ice fishing, but he said last winter the ice was 12 inches thick — thick enough to drive a car on — and this year those conditions are similar.
Mason added the reason they have workshops like this is to better educate the public about ice safety and equipment, species to fish for and where to go to get them — ultimately making it safer because they will be educated.
When Maryville's City Manager Matt LeCerf caught wind of an ice fishing clinic going on at Mozingo Lake this weekend, he became slightly concerned.
The Missouri Department of Conservation was about to hold its Second Annual Ice Fishing Workshop. This is a problem because ice fishing is prohibited at Mozingo Lake — a fact unknown to many community members and even the MDC.
This was an issue of discussion during Monday's city council meeting.
The MDC already has more than 60 people registered for the workshop and because the city may not have communicated as clearly as they should have, LeCerf contacted the city's insurance company to see what could be done on such short notice.
MIRMA is working on a waiver that participants will be required to sign before stepping out on the ice Saturday. While it isn't 100 percent certain whether the clinic will go on as planned, LeCerf said there is a 99.9 percent chance it will.
LeCerf said the city is fairly certain something will be worked out this week for the clinic to proceed Saturday — providing that every participant sign the necessary liability waiver. Anyone who is under the age of 18 will be required to have a legal guardian or parent over the age of 18 sign the waiver as well.
After discussion Monday night from MDC employees Tory Mason, Harold Kerns and Ed Higdon, city council members agreed that the issue wasn't whether or not they felt people should be able to ice fish at their own risk — but the liability factor behind it.
The city council in place in 1996 passed an ordinance that stated fish could be taken from Mozingo Park in accordance with the provisions of the Missouri Wildlife Code, but that fishing from boat docks and ice fishing is prohibited. According to LeCerf, there is no signage posted at the lake stating that ice fishing is prohibited — a reason why Mason himself has been ice fishing on the lake for years.
Mason said he understands the liability issue, or rather the safety aspect of ice fishing, but he said last winter the ice was 12 inches thick — thick enough to drive a car on — and this year those conditions are similar.
Mason added the reason they have workshops like this is to better educate the public about ice safety and equipment, species to fish for and where to go to get them — ultimately making it safer because they will be educated.
He added that he has received phone calls from surrounding states inquiring about ice fishing at Mozingo. Mason and Kerns said Maryville's lake is ideal for ice fishing — and that people even fish at Nodaway and Bilby lakes. In fact, Kerns said Mozingo is the best lake around, naturally attracting visitors from several hours away who come up for an overnight fishing trip. So to MDC employees, Mozingo's ice fishing capabilities make it a great winter tourist attraction.
Tom Ciak, owner of Big Bird's Bait Shop in town, spoke about his concerns for the ice fishing ban during Monday night's meeting.
The council will be discussing a possible ordinance change in the future, but Ciak wanted to know what he should tell his customers in the meantime. He said he was concerned he would lose business from those who routinely buy ice fishing equipment and bait from his shop, and that if he continued to buy the supplies it wouldn't get purchased.
He also mirrored MDC employees' earlier statements by saying he has people calling him from all over to inquire about ice fishing and supplies in the area.
Maryville Mayor Chad Jackson answered Ciak by saying for now he would just have to tell people that there is a city ordinance prohibiting it.
MDC employees all agreed they wouldn't support something that would put citizens' safety in danger.
Council members again agreed that all of that sounded great, but that they needed to ensure their own liabilities were being covered.
The city council will discuss the ice fishing policy and possible changes in the near future, but Monday's focus was working something out with the MDC to allow the workshop on Saturday, Jan. 31 to take place.
Changes discussed included having those who purchase a fishing permit sign a waiver at the same time — something they are required to do when getting a hunting permit for Mozingo Park.
