Burley McCoy

Definitely not, Emily.

But quick recap.

Last episode, we talked about how changing ice conditions are making it less safe to be on the ice.

Which is true where I live in Montana.

Not only have there been warm spells, which make the lake ice less safe, this year ice wasn't safe enough to walk on until the second week of January.

Wow.

And Emily, you know how much I love to ice fish.

I know.

And so far this year, that's been really tough here.

So I recently went on a nice fishing trip with a fisheries biologist named Zach Feiner.

Zach is in Madison, Wisconsin.

But really, I wanted to get on the ice with Zach to talk about how lakes everywhere are losing ice and the impact that that's having on lake ecosystems from disrupting their food chains to lowering biodiversity.

Which could have a huge impact on your fishing way of life.

Exactly.

Me and about 1.7 million other ice fishers in the U.S.

Ice fishing is a huge industry that generates millions of dollars through equipment sales and guide services.

I talked to David Van Lannen about how one of his favorite seasons, ice fishing...

is shrinking.

He grew up on a dairy farm south of Green Bay, Wisconsin, moved to Madison for work in 1971, and he says he's been fishing the area for decades.

They are essential.