01-02-2016, 06:30 AM
Please pardon this rookie question.
I've never iced fished. I would LOVE to try it out sometime, but it seems like winter months always keep me busy with other recreational activities to ever attempt to get out.
This past Thursday, I decided to do some snowshoeing since we've had an abundance of good snow in the past 2-3 weeks. I headed to Stanley and walked into and around the Redfish Lake area. The snow was awesome, as were the views. And while I was there, I thought it would be damn cool to walk across the entire lake over toward the inlet side during a future trip. All told, it would be about 8 miles round trip just on the ice.
But here's my question: how do I know if the ice is thick enough to walk on? And how would I detect signs of dangerous ice conditions during my trip on the ice?
Should I take the time to dig holes along the route to gauge ice thickness? Lugging an auger with me would surely suck. But is that the standard means of determining safe ice?
Advice and input is appreciated.
[signature]
I've never iced fished. I would LOVE to try it out sometime, but it seems like winter months always keep me busy with other recreational activities to ever attempt to get out.
This past Thursday, I decided to do some snowshoeing since we've had an abundance of good snow in the past 2-3 weeks. I headed to Stanley and walked into and around the Redfish Lake area. The snow was awesome, as were the views. And while I was there, I thought it would be damn cool to walk across the entire lake over toward the inlet side during a future trip. All told, it would be about 8 miles round trip just on the ice.
But here's my question: how do I know if the ice is thick enough to walk on? And how would I detect signs of dangerous ice conditions during my trip on the ice?
Should I take the time to dig holes along the route to gauge ice thickness? Lugging an auger with me would surely suck. But is that the standard means of determining safe ice?
Advice and input is appreciated.
[signature]