For Immediate Release: February 11, 2005
Media Contact: Colonel Robert Rooks 802-241-3700
State Game Warden Robert Lutz 802-524-7438
              
LAKE CHAMPLAIN RESCUE

WATERBURY, VT - Two St. Albans ice fishermen were rescued early in the morning of February 11, twelve hours after they drove onto Lake Champlain during a snowstorm. The two men were found in their two-wheel drive truck, which was stuck about two miles off shore near Knight Island.

John Vincellette, 22, and Greg Rainville, 46, both of St. Albans, said they often went out on the lake in bad weather to go ice fishing.

Four rescuers from the U.S. Coast Guard experienced mild hypothermia in an initial attempt to rescue the ice fishermen.

Vermont State Game Wardens Robert Lutz and Carl Wedin brought all six men to shore on snowmobiles.

"We urge anyone going out onto Lake Champlain to learn about the areas where they need to be especially cautious," said Chief Game Warden Colonel Robert Rooks. "Know the locations of points of land, bridges, mouths of rivers, and likely pressure ridges often over areas of the lake where water depths change suddenly."

"If you are not familiar with the section of the lake you are going to, feel free to call a nearby Vermont State Game Warden for helpful advice," added Rooks. "Their home phone numbers are listed in the front of the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department's hunting and fishing law book."