Fisherman Asked to Remove Ice Shacks Early From the Kennebec River

Maine's mild winter has forced the Coast Guard to request that fishermen remove their ice shacks from the Kennebec River early this year.

Central Maine News says the 'Kennebec River Spring Breakout' is usually conducted in late March or early April. But this year's mild temperatures and warming trends have prompted the Coast Guard to move up the date.

Officials don't know exactly when the process will begin, but Coast Guard spokesman David Bourbeau says it will probably be in early March. The largest ice-breaking cutter will take care of the river between Bath and Richmond, while three smaller ships will travel to Gardiner.

Fishermen are asked to remove their ice-fishing shacks as soon as is safely possible. In addition, they're warned to stay off the river once the ice-breaking begins. The start date for ice-breaking will be announced once the Coast Guard confers with the Maine Emergency Management Agency, the National Weather Service, and others.