First Ice…What’s Your Comfort Zone?

Back in the day I remember driving my Dad nuts until he would take me and drop me off at the ice. As a youngin’, Dad would be lecturing me on the trip….”Don’t be a pioneer, keep your eyes peeled for bad spots, keep the spud working” you get the drift. It was everything he could teach me while fishing together in my pup stage before being released into the field on my own.

Well as a kid…..you still have to learn lessons on your own
With a slow bite my wheels would start spinning and I’d always want to be where no foot traffic could be found. The whole time in the back of my head I knew it would tick off Dad but the adventure side always won out.

Things I have learned after a couple puckered falls through first ice.

A rocky, weed edge or, shallow sand flat is not always the best spot to walk out on. All three will still produce some heat when hit by the sun. Look for shaded areas when trying to get on first ice. Clear ice is hard ice this time of year.

Know your waters. Any moving water is a must to stay away from first ice. Watch out for snow pockets over these areas. It can give a guy the false impression that there is ice. Stay away from wet spots on the ice this time of year also.

Pay attention to your feet. If it feels like your feet are moving when you step down….it’s because your feet are moving. Back off!!!

Keep that spud working. One incident I did have very well could have been avoided. The spud started to feel like it was 40lbs making me get lazy. After that, if the spud gets heavy it’s time for a break

Do not get out of your comfort zone. The big debate on what is safe ice. There is no safe ice. We all have a different comfort zone when it comes to first ice. Don’t push yours, it will make for bad decisions.

What does everyone else look for and do to stay in your comfort zone?

4 inches is fine with me. When it only takes two revolutions to drill a hole i just as soon not fish even if it is amazing.

I’m following a 50 yards behind you Bret! Just leave a few fish in my holes!!

Quote:

---

I’m following a 50 yards behind you Bret! Just leave a few fish in my holes!!

---

That is what my Dad always told Mikehd do you think he loved me

Another thing that goes into the sled if I’m going to be a ways from the truck, boots, socks, and a spare pair of bibs.

1.5+ inches of crystal clear ice on a small body of water as long as there is no snow and no wind so I can hear well.
Take along a similarly crazy pal just in case. And a rope.

Comfort? When I see guys driving on it then I start feeling comfortable. Will I walk out before then? Depends on how they’re biting

Know your waters. I know here in Mad town that the Waubesa swamp at the south end, the Cherokee Marsh, and the monona triangles all freeze first. Bring your spud in your vehicle and check them periodically. When they look OK I give them one more night and try the next day. Almost always someone is braver than I am. These spots are generally shallow and even if you went through, you would just get wet. I do bring a rope, my picks, and a PFD until I am in locked up mode.

i like 2-3 inches then i will walk out on it. im only a 180 pounds so that helps with not having to have a ton of ice.

1. Knowing the finer details of the water is essential if you want to be the pioneer of the year in your area and stand a chance coming off dry. I plan on fishing one of three dead sloughs (no current) when the ice is in that inch and half to 2 and half inch range every year and let my wife know which one is the chosen one before I go. These columns run 3 to 4 feet deep with smaller pockets dipping down 5 feet. I know were hidden springs bleed into column and avoid those areas like the plague.

2. Check the weater forecast the morning of your first adventure. Could be locked up pretty good in the early AM but rising mercury while your standing on early season thin ice is NOT a good thing. Plan trip durations accordingly.

3. PLAN on getting wet and self rescue. Wear a PDF. Ice picks around your neck. Spud your path and move slow. Pack an extra set of clothes in the vehicle. I carry a 50′ rope in the bottom of the bucket. If another early season bucket dweller happens to go through I’m in position to be their knight in shining armor. It’s not a lot of fun to pull yourself back up on the ice only for it to break away again! Trust me.

4. Just be smart and use good common sense. This alone will go along way in keeping you dry. These are NOT the trips of the year to be tugging the shelter out on the ice with everything from the kitchen sink.

break a sweat when drill-in a hole!!!

for me 4 – 6″ of ice anything else I don’t feel comfortable at all

I like to see 3.5 to 4″ of good clear and snow free ice down here in the South.

I’ve been on the ice here in Southeast Nebraska on Thanksgiving day 1 time. Other than that most years here we average our first trip a week before Christmas time. This year it’s hard to say. Our water temps just finally dropped below 50 in the last couple of weeks.

I’ve been know to do 3″ if the ice is clear, but with age I like that 4 inch security blanket. There are some places I won’t venture out on until I see tracks coming and going of someone who leaves larger footprint than I do.

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

I’m following a 50 yards behind you Bret! Just leave a few fish in my holes!!

---

That is what my Dad always told Mikehd do you think he loved me

---

Yup, what he said.

Quote:

---

Back in the day I remember driving my Dad nuts until he would take me and drop me off at the ice. As a youngin’, Dad would be lecturing me on the trip….”Don’t be a pioneer, keep your eyes peeled for bad spots, keep the spud working” you get the drift. It was everything he could teach me while fishing together in my pup stage before being released into the field on my own.

Well as a kid…..you still have to learn lessons on your own
With a slow bite my wheels would start spinning and I’d always want to be where no foot traffic could be found. The whole time in the back of my head I knew it would tick off Dad but the adventure side always won out.

Things I have learned after a couple puckered falls through first ice.

A rocky, weed edge or, shallow sand flat is not always the best spot to walk out on. All three will still produce some heat when hit by the sun. Look for shaded areas when trying to get on first ice. Clear ice is hard ice this time of year.

Know your waters. Any moving water is a must to stay away from first ice. Watch out for snow pockets over these areas. It can give a guy the false impression that there is ice. Stay away from wet spots on the ice this time of year also.

Pay attention to your feet. If it feels like your feet are moving when you step down….it’s because your feet are moving. Back off!!!

Keep that spud working. One incident I did have very well could have been avoided. The spud started to feel like it was 40lbs making me get lazy. After that, if the spud gets heavy it’s time for a break

Do not get out of your comfort zone. The big debate on what is safe ice. There is no safe ice. We all have a different comfort zone when it comes to first ice. Don’t push yours, it will make for bad decisions.

What does everyone else look for and do to stay in your comfort zone?

---

Very sound advice Bret. For those of us who have been through and avoided some close calls, I’ll be the first to say it can happen to anyone. Anything with current, wood, or other items to soak and disperse heat should be avoided. No fish is worth it, but with some forethought and good planning, you can fish first ice safely. I love CT’s advice also……bigger footprint ahead of you!

Joel

I do not go out until the ice shack is pulled out by the resort. If going out on own I have to see other people who are braver than me out and about on the ice.

I agree as well. Myself, I start to venture out right around Christmas, and there is about a foot of ice then. But its just not safe enough, there are to many warm water areas that arent seen by the eye, especially when its covered in snow.
I am sure I could ice fish right now… it has been below -15 celcius for almost two weeks sand hitting -32 celcius today.
but at the tail end of ice season, ill go till theres 3 inches because Ican see open water and see where the good ice still is

I’ve been out on 1.5 but would like at least 2+. Ive pushed a boat out to fish already. Hey first ice is best. Looking for ice tomorrow and hoping to get out.

2 inches minimum for me and ill scout from shore daily after it locks up.

Quote:

---

At the tail end of ice season, ill go till theres 3 inches because I can see open water and see where the good ice still is

---

Fil nailed it right on the nose. Late ice most of the time means not a whole lot of snow cover. You can see where the ice gets that honeycomb look and avoid it. I am 6’2” and a solid 205 lbs. I need at least 3” if I am going to test it and there has to be someone else out on the ice before I even set foot. I also never go alone when it is early ice. Even when there are a bunch of guys out there already. My father is 6’4” and pushing 270 so he will not set foot on ice untill it has 4 or 5 inches. You have to know yourself, what ice will do under sertain weights, and you have to think about what would happen if you did go through. Be safe, be prepared, and above all else DON’T be stupid.