Authorities could not have done anything more to prevent the deaths of three ice fishermen

Vermont authorities could not have done anything more to prevent the deaths of three ice fishermen who fell through the ice on Lake Champlain in two separate incidents within days of each other, the head of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department said Tuesday. Ice conditions are typically good at this time of year for ice fishing, but it has been unusually warm, according to Chris Herrick, commissioner of the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife. The department always recommends checking the ice — with a metal pole or an auger — and never recommends taking a vehicle onto the ice. The department had put out a news release on Jan. 3 about recommended ice thickness, followed by a social media post. It also supplied ice fishing safety tips and other information online.  State Police said following the deaths, state authorities were advising “the public to stay off the ice on Lake Champlain while the current warm weather persists. The 43rd annual Islands Ice Fishing Derby was also canceled as a result of ice warming.