It would appear that the Ontario Provincial Police are sending out mixed signals with regards to alcohol and ice-fishing.
As Kelly Roche of the Ottawa SUN reported:
“Last Thursday, Eastern Region OPP issued a statement saying it’s illegal to drink alcohol inside or outside a hut.
This was just two weeks after Sault Ste. Marie OPP said in a press release it’s OK to drink inside the huts — just not outside.
The Sun called OPP’s corporate communications department to find out who’s right.
While the force stopped short of saying they goofed, they did concede mixed messages were out there.
“We were aware that there was some contradictory information,” said Insp. Dave Ross.
Turns out both statements were clear as dishwater.
“Under the Liquor License Act, if you’re consuming liquor in an ice hut you could be charged,” Ross said, adding you’re exempt if you’re in a hut with legitimate cooking and sleeping facilities.
“The officer has to make a judgment call,” said Ross.
He said the majority of huts don’t have stoves or beds and people can rent ice bungalows with bunkbeds.
That has some ice fishers puzzled.”
Ok folks, anyone who has ever spent time on the ice with a rod in hand knows, full well, that a beverage or two may be consumed along the way. Unlike open water fishing, having a drink or two while out on the ice just seems to come with the territory.
As one angler pointed out, “It’s no different than going to the bar” I suppose, as long as that person doesn’t get behind the wheel afterwards.
But this latest ruling may have many folks second-guessing that decision to throw-in a 6-pack of beer along with the minnow pail and ice auger.
Outdoorsguy