ICE SAFETY!!!

Ok I have been holding back but the first ice report has started and I think this would be a good time to start this thread.

This is one of my biggest pet peeves. I would like seasoned ice veterans to chime in and give there tips to help the new guys to stay safe and return to there loved ones after there time on the ice.

I’ll throw the first one out: Check the ice for your self. Do not just take someone else’s word that it is safe or take there word on thickness. You are responsible for your safety. I have seen way to many post on other sites that gave out faulty information on ice conditions and put people at risk. If it is your first time for first ice ask someone who knows what to look for to go with you.

Always rinse your ice before hand, then add your favorite spirits and finally the mix if needed.

Never show up at your spot (especially in the dark) and just grab your gear and start walking; ALWAYS walk out with nothing more than a chisel first. Use the chisel to check ice thickness by giving it a good solid thrust into the ice every few steps… If it goes through on one thrust slowly retrace your steps back to shore. I’d also reccomend bringing ice picks and even wearing a life vest just in case you find a thin spot and go through.

Another thing to consider that may not seem obvious to many is that any snow drifts will insulate the ice which could mean 1-2″ less ice under the snow so while it may be tougher walking on glare ice it is safer to stay away from snow

Safe ice for me is a good 3 to 4 inch of ice. If at all possible fish with a friend. If not try and go where there is other ice fisherman. Be in man of springs and moving water. It makes a difference if you are fishing lakes or rivers. When you get to a place ask around for some idea from other guys. You will fine that some guys will talk and others will not talk. There is just so much that is to be learned about ice fishing that you will be hook for life. The places that I go to have old retired guys that like to talk your arm off.LOL I’m retired also but still learn a trick or to from them once and awhile. Good luck!!!

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Always rinse your ice before hand, then add your favorite spirits and finally the mix if needed.

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Whatever helps you cope for the next 6 months.

Always walk with a chisel on un-proven ice. Snow covered first ice always makes me the most nervous because you can see when ice is unstable as you put pressure on it. USE THE CHISEL to test as you walk. Chisel in front of you. This may seem childish but practice walking on frozen puddles. This can teach you a lot about ice. Listen. Thin ice makes sounds when you walk on it. Learn them.

Use all your senses on ice. Except smell unless your following BrianK then you cant avoid it.

Concerning first ice (and all ice for that matter) I will never understand why all of us do respond first with WEAR SOME SORT OF PFD/SURVIVAL SUIT/SURVIVAL JACKET. Wear SOMETHING that will float you and your survival chances increase X (fill in your number here) fold.

You can chisel all you want as you go out and “feel safe” once you’ve gotten to your destination. Then you gotta pizz and walk 40′ to the north and have 1″ or less.

As was said in some ol’ TV show “Be safe out there”.

Fish with a partner!

Spud Bar
Ice Picks
Ice Cleats
Flotation (float suit or pfd)
Buddy
20’+ long rope untangled with something heavy tied to one end

Have all those items readily accessible. Don’t go by yourself. Go somewhere that you or your buddy are familiar with on early ice. Don’t walk right next to each other. Pay attention to your surroundings and be ready to go through the ice

2″ of ice with no snow cover is enough for me to walk out on. Never had any kind of close call with early ice… it’s the late/deteriorating ice that scares me.

as one wise chief told me “let big brother go first”
usually works for me

I always liked this chart. Last year on a different site someone was saying it was ok to drive a school bus on 8 inches of ice (idiot). I also go by the thought that no ice is guaranteed safe. And what was previously stated take in account for springs or current under the ice.

Am I the only one that goes out on early or late ice wearing a wet suit? I like boots I can kick off, PFD, ice picks on a rope around the neck, and a gopro, so if I go through I can make some spare change on YouTube and buy another set of Mickey Mouse boots at the surplus store. I also drill a hole once I get in about 3-4 fow so I can get a good starting idea of MAX ice thickness and always expect it to be thinner after that. Also…. Don’t jump…..ever

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Am I the only one that goes out on early or late ice wearing a wet suit? I like boots I can kick off, PFD, ice picks on a rope around the neck, and a gopro, so if I go through I can make some spare change on YouTube and buy another set of Mickey Mouse boots at the surplus store. I also drill a hole once I get in about 3-4 fow so I can get a good starting idea of MAX ice thickness and always expect it to be thinner after that. Also…. Don’t jump…..ever

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You could be.

I just wait until I see someone on the ice and then go out a couple days later and test it. No fish is worth falling through so I don’t chance it.

I would encourage folks to look back at a prior post from a few years back showing the rate of ice thickness growth as a function of degrees below freezing. As a layer of ice grows, the ice on the surface insulates the water below it causing the growth rate to slow.

Ice Growth Rate Post

My favorite last year was when a guy drove up to me and asked how thick the ice was (I walked out)…some people aren’t the brightest haha…Definately buy a good spud bar and ice picks for sure…

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2″ of ice with no snow cover is enough for me to walk out on. Never had any kind of close call with early ice… it’s the late/deteriorating ice that scares me.

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I agree I have had more issues on late ice than I have had on early ice. One thing to remember is to never let your guard down and always pay attention to the ice conditions as ice depths can very greatly with snowfall and currents.

Ditto to Bryan, get a good PFD, ice picks, rope, and the most important of all a BUDDY, – QB

I definitely am ok with walking out on 2 inches, like mentioned early ice is normally less troublesome than late ice. I’ve never worn a pfd on early ice but have a ton of times late ice. Twice last year walked off the ice in the evening with 2 inches and came back next morning to find the ice was completely gone, late ice is very unpredictable, early ice is at least predictable to an extent.

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My favorite last year was when a guy drove up to me and asked how thick the ice was (I walked out)…some people aren’t the brightest haha…Definately buy a good spud bar and ice picks for sure…

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This happened to me last year too, on a lake with no other tracks on it! I was nervous as heck when I saw that rig coming at me and only 6″-7″ of ice.

Is it safe to drive my truck out yet? Gotta get out there to the cribs! Get my perm shack set up on the hot holes!

Don’t lead others into believing that you know more than you really do.

Two years ago my fishing partners and myself had to put out planks to get across an open expansion. Two other guys showed up that “LOOKED and ACTED” like they knew all about this procedure. I told them I would not pull the planks until all where off that evening. We had marked the spot with a reflective marker post, we knew it would be windy and snow blowing.

When packing up to get off the ice we saw the two heading back to the landing. We finished packing and headed back to the landing. Thats when I realized these two didn’t have a clue. One guy was still on the lake part with the quad and there gear, the other was on the opposite side waving franticly. They could not find the planks and the one on the opposite side had fallen in the open water 3 times trying to find them and was soaked thru. By this time his partner was in a panic and had to be led around like a small child. We located the planks and got him and there equipment to the other side. They just sat there and where terrified to finish the trip off the ice by themselves and the wet one needed to get to heat soon.

Even though they led us to believe they knew what they where doing I would have felt responsible if something really catastrophic would have happened to them. This is not a mistake I will ever repeat.

Remember all of us that have some years under our belt where new and clueless at one point. So do not feel foolish asking for advise.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7Up-wGwts8&feature=player_detailpage&list=PLB2FF899B4F6639D2

Seems like common sense but you would be surprised at how many ppl only bring some od the tools. So mine would be to bring all the tools. Spud/chisel , flotation device and ice picks. Especially on early iice bring it all not one or two pieces. Ive gone through the ice a few timez in the early season in shallow water but last December went through in deep
water and if not for having both the life vest and picks I highly doubt I would still be here today. Carry all the tools not one or two, your family will thank you.

This is a subject very near and dear to me…in fact our side business, Montana Ice Safety Systems, deals with all the available tools to protect on ice recreationists. Everything from ice cleats, picks and throw ropes, to the Wilcraft amphibious vehicle, J-Wheelz for your ATV, Nebulus systems for your snowmobile and Striker Suits that float you..
Common sense is the most important factor and there are some great points made here. There are great products out there that increase our chances of survival if we do go thru, but staying on top of the ice is the best place to start. Please contact me about any of the above mentioned products and I will point you in the right direction.
Mike
http://www.iceduels.com
http://www.howesfishing.com

Like these guys are saying prevention from going through is the most important, being able to get out if you do go through is vital, but something I haven’t heard anyone else mention, that can also save your life is a simple set of warm clothing left in your car in case you or someone else goes through… Hypothermia is no joke, people die to it every year in this neck of the woods, the primary cause is getting wet in the cold and not getting dry fast enough. If you go through, get out and get dry fast!

I anxiously await safe ice, and chomp at the bit like any other ice fishing fanatic

But the best advice, and bottom line, when venturing onto questionable ice,is that a fish just isn’t worth dying over. Close….but not worth it

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Like these guys are saying prevention from going through is the most important, being able to get out if you do go through is vital, but something I haven’t heard anyone else mention, that can also save your life is a simple set of warm clothing left in your car in case you or someone else goes through… Hypothermia is no joke, people die to it every year in this neck of the woods, the primary cause is getting wet in the cold and not getting dry fast enough. If you go through, get out and get dry fast!

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I watch this video every year before venturing out on the ice just to refresh my memory.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysnKtuUTt8k

I have the frabill ice suit that is non floating. What style pfd would you reccomend? Will a co2 cartridge vest inflate in low temps or is a Non inflating vest nessasary?

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I have the frabill ice suit that is non floating. What style pfd would you reccomend? Will a co2 cartridge vest inflate in low temps or is a Non inflating vest nessasary?

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I would err on the side of caution and go with a traditional vest pfd personally.

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20’+ long rope untangled with something heavy tied to one end

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What is this for and what heavy item would you tie at the end?