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Contact: Edie Smith, Spokesperson
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
284 State Street
41 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333

Media representatives can receive press releases via e-mail.

Telephone: work (207) 592-4348

Fax: (207) 287-6395

February 20, 2010

Maine Warden Service Telling People to Stay Off Sebago Lake, Other Waterways

Augusta, Maine - The Maine Warden Service is telling people to stay off Sebago Lake after seven people and numerous vehicles went through ice into the water today.

Organizers of the Ice Fishing Derbyfest on Sebago Lake have canceled the event, and no fish will be accepted for weigh-in on Sunday.

According to Major Gregg Sanborn, Deputy Chief Game Warden, the ice on Sebago Lake is extremely unsafe.

"Do not go out on the ice because it's too dangerous," Major Sanborn stated. "The organizers of the derbyfest and the ice fishermen who worked so hard to put on this fund-raiser for local charities made the right decision to stop this event."

On Saturday, seven people were pulled from the water after going through the ice. Numerous vehicles, including ATVs, snowmobiles and cars or trucks, also broke through the ice.

Saturday's above-average temperatures contributed to the melting of the ice not only on Sebago Lake but other Maine waterways as well.

"Anyone who wants to go out onto ice, particularly in southern Maine, should think twice before risking their lives and possibly the lives of others," Major Sanborn said. "In other parts of the state, check often before venturing too far out and go back to shore if you're unsure about its thickness."

At least eight Game Wardens and senior officers were patrolling Sebago Lake today.

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