Safe Ice opinions, again.

[DaveW731]

We are all excited about getting on the ice and I thought it worthwhile to talk a bit about safety, once again. For those of us (myself included) who tend to be on the adventurous side, I think a reality check is a good idea. I am also thinking about a number of people who I know who are interested in getting started in the sport. Please share your ideas, with the understanding that NO ONE is responsible for anyone else's decisions and actions, or the consequences of those actions. I just think that there is a lot of collective wisdom here that will be useful.
With that in mind, here is what I do:

On small inland lakes where wind, springs and current are not an issue:
When I am by myself, I tend to get stupd. We won't go there.
For 2-3 people, 3" minnimum. Use a spud to check the ice as you walk. Take a rope. Assume it possible that there is unsafe ice somewhere. I have found that with one hit, I can drive a sharp spud through ice that will still support my weight (180#), so it serves as an effective early warning system. Check the ice by striking with auger every couple of steps.
For groups, 4". Auger is OK, instead of spud. Drill an occasional "test hole" to check thickness. Know where everyone is. Take a rope. Assume it possible that there is unsafe ice somewhere.
6" no problem, OK for any size group. Take a rope. Assume it possible that there is unsafe ice somewhere.

If springs or current are present, add 1" to all of the above. Use spud to check the ice, since there WILL be unsafe ice somewhere. Spend extra time to get to know the lake. Take a rope.

On LSC, Houghton, Higgins, Muskegon or other large bodies of water:
I don't go there, unless lots of others have gone there before me. Take a rope.

Please add your ideas!
DaveW
DaveW

[Radar420]

I wait to see if other people have already been fishing or there are people out on the ice. Even then, in the early season, if I can hit the same spot twice with my spud and it doesn't go through then I'm ready to roll without any worry.

[MiketheElder]

Early ice in front of Beacon Cove/Gino's is a dangerous thing. Last year I was fishing in about four/five feet of water in front of the DNR ramp at the Spillway. Saw a guy and a little kid (5 or 6 yrs old) walk past me and go around the corner of Beacon Cove. About five minutes later I see them coming back, the guy is soaked from head to toe but luckily the kid was dry. Can you imagine if they both went through? Makes me shudder just thinking about it!

There is a current that runs across the front of Beacon Cove. Be warned and stay safe.

Big Mike

[Banditto]

Last year we had ice on the lake my cottage is on on Dec. 15th. I was in disbelief as we saw the ice when no other lakes were iced up yet. And I told my wife there is no way that ice is safe. So we did chores around the places. Around 2PM I thought I would venture out just for giggles. And to my amazement there was 4-5" of solid black ice.

So here we are, nobody else had been out (probably thought we were nuts). So we buy bait and setup. An hour later a guy comes travelled over the 100' deep hole to come over and ask us how thick the ice was....

And all we could say was shouldn't you know before you take your quad out here? 5' deep is bad enough to fall into, but 100'!!!

I don't get how some people can be so careless.

[jpollman]

I've said it before and I'm sure I'll say it again on this issue. For me, I like 6" of good solid ice. Now I know that less will hold you and be safe. But the way I look at it is that there is always a variation in thickness from one area to another. If you can be "safe" on 3-4" of ice that's fine. But if the area that you're standing on is 4" there could be an area not far away that's only 2" ! I look at the 6" as a good "margin of error". If the ice where I'm standing is 6", more than likely the thin spots are probably still going to be 3-4" thick. I don't venture out onto first ice. It's just not worth it to me !

I'll BUY fish before I DIE for fish !

[Connor4501]

In a 2-3 foot deep LSC canal, I will stand on 2" if everyone else keeps their distance...I will of course have my chest waders on being that if I do go in I will stay dry and my day won't be over...My only other alternative is that I see that 260 lb. gentleman out there and feel that if it holds him, it will hold me...

Wait a minute, that's me out there in a vision...I tend to be the "followed" in shallow canals being I go over 260 lbs.

With that said, I think 3" is the standard for single persons walking on ice, although I have walked on 2" in the past with luckily no ill effects... :sad:

[WALLEYEvision]

I can't imagine trying to swim in a jacket & bibs, so it's 3 - 4" of solid ice for me...no matter how good the fishing is.

[eyecatcher]

I think at least 4" of good ice before I want to go to far from shore. I have been fishing on the saginaw river on 12" of ice and walking back had my foot go through. Ice just varies to much on the rivers. for any of it to be real safe .When on the rivers I never go alone and we always carry a rope and a PFD to toss. on LSC I think 4" for walking 8" or more for any type of ATV. the more the better.

[Southend517]

I like atleast 8"-10" on the saginaw river, but sometimes there is 12" and a few feet away 3"

http://img27.exs.cx/img27/9721/icethic.gif

[WALLEYE MIKE]

Been on 2" of hard solid ice. Feel alot better on 3". Whats weird is the clear solid ice in clear water over 6ft. deep makes you feel like your walking on water. Weeds and fish swimming below your feet.

Won't take the 3-wheeler out on LSC unless there is 6-7". Used to drive out once in a while but had to be at least 12". Got a 3-wheeler so thats all in the past.

[stinger63]

I have been fishing on the saginaw river on 12" of ice and walking back had my foot go through. I

There is no such thing as safe ice on this or any other river that has current flowing underneith it.Ice deteorates from underneith.I would be very leary on venturing out on any of these kind of places.

On a lake or in inside a marina 4 inches of solid ice unless it has snowed when things are starting to freeze up.Snow acts as an insulator so there may be thin spots or even water thats covered up by it.Also NEVER venture out to an area where BUBBLERS are being used.

NEVER venture out on ice no matter how thick it is out in an open area when there is an OFFSHORE wind.

REMEMBER NO FISH IS WORTH DYING OVER.

Also beware when going out with "eyecatcher" and hes driving is van on last ice on anchor bay :help: :yikes: :lol: