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| The most important thing to consider before venturing out on any ice fishing journey is the ice thickness. You need at least 3 inches of solid ice for safe walking, at least 4 inches for safe fishing, 8 inches for a loaded snowmobile or ATV, and I recommend at least 12 inches before you take a vehicle out on the frozen water.
You need to remember as well that shallow lakes, like we have on the Winnebago system, will cool faster and freeze faster, but they also will warm faster and ice-out will be sooner then deeper lakes.
No matter where you ice-fish, periods of warming weather will decrease ice thickness, and could cause the ice to become honey combed, which is not good, solid, safe ice. Ice thickness can also be affected by moving currents, weeds, springs, or even schools of fish that are under the ice. Weeds absorb the sun’s warmth and decrease the thickness of the ice. Also, as the late winter comes around and the shorelines warm up, the ice near shore becomes much weaker and thinner then the ice in the middle of the lake.
Here are several things you need to be aware of before going out on the ice:
Clear blue ice is much stronger than ice that has been thawed or broken up and refrozen time after time.
River ice can vary greatly in thickness depending on the depth of the channels, what is on the bottom and of course the amount of current in the river.
Springs bring warmer water into the lakes and rivers that can create both weak spots or even open water. On Lake Winnebago there are several springs on the North end, and almost yearly a few vehicles end up going in.
Ice cracks, heaves, and ridges should be avoided as much as possible while on the frozen waters. Areas like these form when layers of ice expand and retract, sometimes leaving open water that may expand as well if the winds shift the ice.
Here are several things that you should carry with you while ice fishing, just in case the unexpected does happen:
I strongly recommend the use of a life jacket while on the ice. Most of us do not leave the docks in our boats without them, but yet we venture out on unknown ice thickness and walk around without them.
You should always carry a chisel as well to check the thickness as you walk around. Striking the ice with a sharp chisel can tell you how good the ice is, and if you break through it is a sure tell sign to back away from that area.
One of the most important safety items I always carry with me is a good set of ice cleats. Most injuries that occur on the ice happen when an individual slips and falls. Ice cleats are a great way to prevent this from happening.
You should also carry a set of ice picks with you in case you do go through the ice. You can use these to stick them in the ice and this will help you to stay afloat or better yet, get out of the water. These can be purchased at any sporting goods store, or you can just make your own with some spikes and some leather shoestrings.
In conclusion, the rule of thumb is that the ice is never safe. If you choose to go on unfamiliar waters be sure to check with the local bait shops for ice information and ice thickness, and also be sure to stay in and around the other people on that particular body of water. They are there for a reason, and probably are not going other places because of the different conditions of the ice. Use common sense and if you feel it is unsafe or not solid enough, then just do not go there. Remember, SAFETY FIRST! and fish second. There is always another day to go ice fishing, but there is only one of you.
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Ice Fishing Safety