“Ice is always unpredictable, and that’s particularly true early in the ice fishing season,” says Gary Eddy, the Department of Natural Resources conservation warden who administers the snowmobile and ATV safety programs.
State conservation wardens caution that ice is never viewed as safe, but general guidelines suggest at least 4 inches of clear ice is necessary before someone walks on a frozen waterbody; at least 6 inches before driving a snowmobile across ice, and 8 to 10 inches before traveling in cars or light duty trucks. “Those guidelines are only if the ice is real solid and clear,” Eddy says.
He offers these other tips for staying safe:
- Contact local sport shops to ask about ice conditions on the lake or river you want to fish.
- Do not go out alone, carry a cell phone, and let people know where you are going and when you’ll return home.
- Wear proper clothing and equipment, including a float coat to help you stay afloat and to help slow body heat loss; take extra mittens or gloves so you always have a dry pair.
- Wear creepers attached to boots to prevent slipping on clear ice.
- Carry a spud bar to check the ice while walking to new areas.
- Carry a couple of spikes and a length of light rope in an easily accessible pocket to help pull yourself – or others – out of the ice.
- Do not travel in unfamiliar areas or at night.
- Know if the lake has inlets, outlets or narrows that have current that can thin the ice.
- Look for clear ice. Clear ice is generally stronger than ice with air bubbles in it or with snow on it.
- Watch out for pressure ridges or ice heaves. These can be dangerous due to thin ice or may be an obstruction you may hit with a car, truck or snowmobile.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Schaller, DNR recreational safety specialists - (608) 266-2141
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