Fishing Forum

[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]With the buzz going on about the up coming ice season, I thought it might be a good idea to have a discussion on ice safety and related items. Heres a table that gives ice thickness and strength for various loads from the Army Corps of Engineers. I know this has been posted before but its a good refresher.[/size][/black][/font]
[center][url "http://www.mvp-wc.usace.army.mil/ice/ice_load.html"][black][size 4]Ice Thickness and Strength for Various Loads[/size][/black][/url][/center] [center] [/center] [left][font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]Post up your safety items, links, or videos for all to see.[/size][/black][/font][/left]
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I TRUST IT, IVE SNOWMOBILED ON 3 INCHES AT S,C. EVEN DID SOME BRODIES.
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I've heard that ice supports loads "at rest" differently than loads "in motion". The person that gave me this info discribed it much like the wake that a boat creates.
"A load deflects the ice slightly into a bowl shape. When you drive on floating ice, this moving bowl generates waves in the water. If the speed of the waves equals the vehicle speed, the ice-sheet deflection is increased and the ice is much more likely to break. The problem is more serious for thin ice and shallow water. In general you avoid this danger by driving below 15 mph."...
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But one thing that table doesn't address is HARDNESS of the ice, and CONSISTENCY of thickness.
Clear ice is easily stronger, but edges generally freeze first. So 3" along the shoreline could lead you out to 1" in other spots. Especially if underground springs or other flows exist.
Personally, I want 4" of ice before I go out!
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I noticed there was no rule if you are the IceFishingGod! I think Scott will brave about 1.5 inches!
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Brandon,
Not always and not alone. I'm about to put up a scouting report for the lakes I told you I was going to look at today. No fishing for me.

IFG
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Hey thanx BLM,

That's good info. Being less experienced on the ice than many of the folks here, this is not inherent knowledge to me. As a matter of fact, the few times I have been on the ice, I think the thinnest has been 6 inches. I have always gone when it's been really cold for an extended period of time and when there have been quite a few people on the ice already. I've never ventured out when there has been noone on the ice by myself. I can see from that table and the comments in that link that I have been over cautious in the past - I've always worn my back county skiis on the ice for the potential of spreading my weight out over a greater surface area - on 6 inches of ice I guess that was unnecessarily cautious - but it's good to know the details for future reference.

On my second outing, many years ago, I was told by one ice fisherman that I should make or get a pair of ice picks and carry a rope with me - just in case me or someone else falls through. I have carried them with me on the ice ever since, but, fortunately I have never needed to use them.

Are there any other pieces of safty equipment or proceedures that would be recommended ?
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You can not be too cautious when it comes to ice. I fell through the ice in the spring by trying to extend my ice fishing at Yuba about 10 to 15 years ago, by noon the ice was softed and bad so I though that if I got on the ice before don that I could fish for about three or four hours, well that was wrong before I new it. I had been out for about 1 and 1/2 hours the shore was to fare to jump too, and the ice got soft and I was out about 50 yards as soon as I moved to walk back in my foot went through the ice and I had to lay down and try to slide I had went about half way back when I went through, I could not get back on the ice it was too soft and in most places was to thin all I could do is brake the ice all the way back to shore. This was not a fun trip at all, did I catch fish yes it was the first year that they put a ten fish lament on perch at Yuba, this all happened at painted rocks side of the lake.


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Thanks for sharing that Rich.. Its good for the basics. Of course theres aways those exceptions to the rule..

Just a couple thoughts
Theres no finer safety equipment to carry on the ice than plan old "Common sense!".
Yeah I know what many of you might be thinking.. Wow, the old Iceskrat is talking about using common sense when he's been known to stroll on 2" of ice, right?
Well I do so knowing we might have problems and we're perpared for it with both equipment and extra dry clothing. Whats more, I'd never pull that type of stunt alone..
If your going to venture out on slim ice I suggest you carry and use a ice bar to test your pathway. Whats more on slimmer ice 2"-4" an ice bar is all a person needs to clip a fishing hole in a hurry so you can leave that auger in the pickup. I have yet to find that using my ice clipping bar has bothered the fish because I believe it sounds simular to live ice pops when in use.
Whats more be ready to ACT in a breathe if someone does go through the ice. Its only common sense but I have seen (twice) men REACT and scream like little girls for help while their buddy was flopping around in the water rather than ACTING and doing something to help.. Dont freeze in your tracks and just stand there screaming for help if someone drops in.. Act! Move! Gitr Dun!

In closing allow me to say I wish you all the best and a safe ice fishing season but know this, I plan to kick butts in this years Ice Fishing Challenge. HA![]
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This has some pretty good info about getting out if you do fall through.


[size 5]There is no such thing as 100 percent safe ice![/size]

4" of new clear ice is the minimum thickness for travel on foot.

5" is minimum for snowmobiles and ATVs.

8"- 12" for cars or small trucks.

12"-15" for medium pickup. [#0000ff]
Loads on Ice - Army Corps of Engineers[/#0000ff] [#0000ff]Required Minimum Ice
Thickness in inches[/#0000ff] [#0000ff]Description of
Safe Moving Load[/#0000ff] [#0000ff]1-3/4[/#0000ff] [#0000ff]One person on skies[/#0000ff] [#0000ff]2[/#0000ff] [#0000ff]One person on foot or skates[/#0000ff] [#0000ff]3[/#0000ff] [#0000ff]One snowmobile[/#0000ff] [#0000ff]3[/#0000ff] [#0000ff]A group of people walking single file[/#0000ff] [#0000ff]7[/#0000ff] [#0000ff]A single passenger automobile[/#0000ff] [#0000ff]8[/#0000ff] [#0000ff]A 2-1/2 ton truck[/#0000ff] [#0000ff]9[/#0000ff] [#0000ff]A 3-1/2 ton truck[/#0000ff] [#0000ff]10[/#0000ff] [#0000ff]A 7 to 8 ton truck[/#0000ff]
[url "http://www.mvp-wc.usace.army.mil/ice/ice_load.html"]http://www.mvp-wc.usace.army.mil/ice/ice_load.html[/url]


What should you do if a companion falls through thin ice? [ol] [li]Keep calm and think out a solution. [li]Don't run up to the hole. You'll probably break through and then there will be two victims. [li]Use some item on shore to throw or extend to the victim to pull them out of the water such as jumper cables or skis, or push a boat ahead of you. [li]If you can't rescue the victim immediately, call 911. It's amazing how many people carry cellphones. [li]Get medical assistance for the victim. People who are subjected to cold water immersion but seem fine after being rescued can suffer a potentially fatal condition called "after drop" that may occur when cold blood that is pooled in the body's extremities starts to circulate again as the victim starts to re-warm. [/li][/ol] What if YOU fall in?Try not to panic. Instead, remain calm and turn toward the direction you came from. Place your hands and arms on the unbroken surface of the ice (here's where ice picks would come in handy.) Work forward on the ice by kicking your feet. If the ice breaks, maintain your position and slide forward again. Once you are laying on the ice, don't stand. Instead, roll away from the hole. That spreads out your weight until you are on solid ice. This sounds much easier than it is to do in reality.
The best advice is don't put yourself into needless danger by venturing out too soon or too late in the season.


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I've been ice fishing for about 40 years. I have been through the ice twice. Once when I was young and foolish venturing on to 2" ice. The other time was to rescue my dog that had broken through while retrieving a duck.
Here is what I do for safety.

I never fish alone.
I carry a white water throw bag with 75' of 3/8 rope in it.
There is a PFD in my sled and if I'm in any doubt I put it on.
If i think the ice is thin I drag an inflated innertube along with me.
Dry change of clothes in the car.

I can tell you that those ice picks are hard to use. They will help, but the weight of soaked boots and clothes will be much more than you expected. The first plunge into the cold water will take your breath away. Don't panic.

So if you see some guy out on Rockperch dragging an innertube around the 1st weeks of ice, don't get to close.
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