Our Game Warden Justin Turner sent us his first update of the 2024 season about his work at the lake since May 22nd to pass along to the lake community. He will be providing updates throughout the season.

We thank Justin for his work, and for providing these updates to the lake community!

Justin's Report:

“Vermont Game Wardens returned to boating patrol on Lake St. Catherine on May 22, 2024. Like last summer, Wardens will be conducting safety inspections, fishing compliance checks and general patrol for boating safety.

Wake violations were one of the most common complaints and or observed violations in 2023. As a reminder, it is a violation to operate a boat within 200 feet of the shoreline; an individual in the water; a canoe, rowboat, or other vessel; an anchored or moored vessel containing any individual; or anchorages or docks, except at a speed of less than five miles per hour that does not create a wake.

In addition, and worth noting, an individual shall not operate a vessel, except at speeds of less than five miles per hour, within 200 feet of a designated swimming area. This applies to the designated swimming area buoys found off the beach at the State Park and through the channel.

As mentioned above, a safety inspection is an equipment check including but not limited to the following items when applicable, working lights, pfd(s), fire extinguisher(s), registration numbers, current validation sticker, muffling device, a working bilge blower, and a boating safety card. Having said that about fire extinguishers, if your non rechargeable fire extinguisher is more than 12 years old, it is considered “expired” per the United State Coast Guard rules and regulations. Here is a link to the USCG boat responsibly page as it pertains to fire extinguishers and a Q&A taken from that page: 

Q3. How do I tell if my fire extinguisher is expired?

A3.  If your disposable (non-rechargeable) fire extinguisher has the Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) Trademark, a date of manufacture stamped on the bottle, and it is older than 12 years since the date, the extinguisher is considered expired and must be removed from service. Look for wording on the bottle stating, “This product must be removed from service within 12 years after date of manufacturing”.

https://uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/fire-extinguisher-faq.php

Here is a link to the USCG boat responsibly home page:

https://uscgboating.org/index.php

If you see Wardens on the boat, please feel free to flag us down on the water or from your dock and we are happy to complete an inspection for you or answer any questions/concerns you may have.”