Ice Fishing Safety Guide

Ice fishing gives you a truly unique fishing experience, there is nothing more exhilarating than catching and conquering your first big fish. Well, nothing more exhilarating other than those pesky sub zero water temperatures will take your breath away if you find yourself bobbing like a bobber on it's surface. Ice fishing safety needs to be the number one priority on your list and is the single most important thing to consider before going out onto the ice.

When you are physically on the ice, your mind should be mindful of its surroundings and the ice. How many times have disasters started with "well, we just settled in and out of no where ....", "things were quiet, we got comfortable ...". It seems to be rather common that when you stop paying attention on the ice, something happens, always be aware and conscious of your surroundings.

The strongest ice is always blue in colour and transparent. The unspoken rule amongst the experienced anglers is 4 inches of colour blue ice and transparent in the best ice to fish on. The following is the general offered guideline for ice thickness as per Natural Ministry and Resources:

• 2 - 4 inches of clear blue ice is good for a single person or multiple people single file.
• 5 - 6 inches of clear blue ice is okay for a group of people, snowmobile or a single quad (ATV)
• 7-9 inches of clear blue ice is suitable for a small light truck or passenger car or2 tonnes maximum
• 10 inches of clear blue ice is suitable for a medium duty truck or 3 tonnes maximum
• 12 inches of clear blue ice is suitable for a medium duty truck or 8 tonnes maximum
• 16 inches of clear blue ice is suitable for 12 tonnes of weight
• 18 inches of clear blue ice is suitable for 20 tonnes of weight
• 20 inches of clear blue ice is suitable for 25 tonnes of weight
• 30 inches of clear blue ice is suitable for 70 tonnes of weight

Coloured ice, white ice or ice that is porous is at least half the strength of clear blue ice. If there is 12 inches of white ice, it is considered generally safe for a vehicle. Never venture out on a unknown lake without consistently checking ice thickness, as it does vary within a very small space.

Ice thickness fluctuates naturally and can be a few inches thinner only a foot away. Any ice that looks different that the rest of the lake, may very well be a thinner spot due to gas pockets, quicker flowing water or springs, that prevent a solid freezing or only freeze very lightly or thinly.

If you do not know the lake you are heading out on, don't be shy, talk to local bait shops, get your hands on a map that shows lakes depths and dips, its always good to know if you are standing over a foot deep section of the lake or if it is a 10 foot deep section.

Vehicles, ice and a new person who doesn't know the rules is a sure recipe for disaster. If you have never gone ice fishing, and this is a first time your bringing your vehicle onto the ice, I would suggest strongly that you bring someone who knows what they are doing and have done it before you venture out.

A very high percent of accidents on the ice involve vehicles, really consider if you absolutely must bring it, often a sled is just as good and safer. Gotta drive? Ok.

• When you do drive on the ice, many experts suggest
• Driving with door ajar and or window down for quick escape, in case you need to.
• Driving slowly to avoid flexing and no radio, you need to hear the lakes' noises.
• When pulling a lot of weight, you want to ensure your end of the line and a bit back from the rest of the line heading out, you also drive even slower.
• Consistently double check your ice thickness. And do no park a vehicle in one spot for to long, it weakens the ice.

Travelling on the ice comes with many concerns, this section focuses on the non technical ice terms and needs. Its amazing how many fail to bring a set of extra clothes or a water proof set of matches.

• Always tell someone where and when you go fishing, always call after you get back to dry land, right away and let them know safe. Make this a habit, if you are late, they oughta call help right away.
• Wear a life jacket or personal floatation device even a float coat. These help keep you afloat when your in shock from that initial blast of cold as well as offer protection from hypothermia.
• If you are out fishing on your own, no buddy, and others are present on the lake, try fishing at least in sight of the others and in shouting range.
• Carry an ice spud or chisel to check ice thickness as you move along the lake.
• Carry two ice picks, hand spikes or even screwdrivers with you that have wooden handles, tied together with cord so you can pull yourself out of the water if necessary. The wooden handles are so they float and not sink to the bottom on you.
• If a buddy falls in, toss a rope or your fishing stick, do not go to the edges or to close to where they fell in. The ice is weaker around the hole and your no good both in the water cussing.
• Carry signal markers, flares or other emergency device that allows you to be seen in a storm, when a fire can not be built.

There are a wide range of things you should bring with you if going out on the lake all day:

• Flash light and batteries.
• Waterproof matches or lighter.
• Flares or other emergency device for being seen in snow.
• Communication device - cell, two way radio and so forth.
• Chemical handwarmers, 'crack' em and they emit instant heat.
• Blankets, preferable to have a thermal blanket (they look like tinfoil).
• Dry set of clothes, something reflective would be good too.
• Compass and map of the lake and or area around lake.
• Portable camp stove with fuel.
• Pocket knife or pocket tool.
• First Aid Kit
• Fishing License
• Rope or Cord for throwing to someone.
• Sled if mobile without a vehicle (easier and less exhausting)
• High energy snacks and hot drinks.

Now you are ready to safely tread out onto the ice, as you move you hear a crack and before you can turn on your heel and yell how much you love your wife, your in the icy waters, so cold it steals your breath away and makes you seize up. Within minutes your body feels as if it is being attacked by tiny pins and needles.

You are officially a bobbing popsicle ... but panic not ... You have the tools necessary to survive and just knowing them vastly improves your success of getting out of the water and surviving a lesson from nature.