Ice Safety!!

Brrr, it's cold outside - hey, let's go fishing!
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Rollin with Rolland
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Ice Safety!!

Post by Rollin with Rolland » Sun Aug 17, 2008 8:11 pm

Great reason to start a new topic...ice structure and safety.


Hal wrote:fyi...
Black/Blue ice = Bad ice, (soft)it appears at the end of the season when its melting.
Thanks Hal. I'll trust your experience here in WA, as mine is pretty limited. I guess I was just speaking from my experience. I think it would help everyone out (especially me) if you give your take on ice safety...here in WA. I WILL be over on the eastside this winter....and ice is nothing to joke around about. What everyone else's experience with ice structure and general safety??

I have gone through once and saw a friend go through on the river...and if i never see it again it will be to soon!!
Last edited by Anonymous on Sun Aug 17, 2008 8:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I have caught many fish in my life. The most exciting? The next one.....

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Hal
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RE:Ice Safety!!

Post by Hal » Mon Aug 18, 2008 9:18 am

Try to never go by yourself, carry hand spikes just in case you go through. 4" of SOLID CLEAR ice is enough for an avg guy and gear. Black ice is bad. If you have snow cover after a thin 1-4" of ice, stay off as well as the ice will sink and create a real mess/ not safe.

Carry a spud bar and check before every step if you are entering a new area. I also wear a life jacket on initial trips on new ice.
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Anglinarcher
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RE:Ice Safety!!

Post by Anglinarcher » Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:42 pm

On our colder winters here on the East Side, yes I go.

I always remember what I learned years ago, 2" of clear, air free, hard ice, will easily carry a normal weight man with limited gear on the ice. 4" of the same will carry a sled or snow mobile, 6" of the same will carry a truck.

Next rule, you never know where the springs or thin ice are, so add at least 1 foot (1'-6" for vehicles) and consider carefully how well you are prepared if you fall through.

In my youth, my wild youth, when I lived in southern Idaho, I fished for perch on a lake that had only 1" of clear ice on it. Now, I was not completely stupid, I was wearing snow shoes to spread out the weight. An over active game officer wanted to see my fish, and I did not feel like gathering them up and dragging them 30 yards to shore just for his pleasure, so.....................

Ya, you guessed it, I hollered come on out, the ice is fine. He got out about 10 feet and fell in up to his chest. The last thing I remember was laughing so hard as he crawled into his vehicle, swearing all the time, and drove off.

I was not there when he returned. (LOL)
Too much water, so many fish, too little time.

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Rollin with Rolland
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RE:Ice Safety!!

Post by Rollin with Rolland » Mon Aug 18, 2008 9:53 pm

I agree will all tips. Don't be afraid with the life jacket....it may look funny but what would you rather be....a goofball or WORSE?. Snowshoes are an excellent option, it can never hurt to displace more of your weight. I think Hal really hit it on the head with the spud bar...(or auger). if i am on a new lake for the first time, I WILL CHECK THE ICE EVERY 5ft with a spud bar or auger. You never know where those springs and/or micro currents flow and make the ice thin.

I have also heard of people tying a 100 ft. rope to a tree on shore and then walking out cautiously. if you fall through, your biggest enemy is traction (or lack of) to get out. Buddies and rope work very well. Has anyone actually used hand spikes??? i know they are simple and can save your life quick, but never have actually carried any. I heard you can make a simple pair with nails and some wood scraps, i'll check on a link.

I've heard 8" CLEAR (not Black like i previously said...wrong reference in the wrong part of the country) for SMALL cars and trucks. I guess this doesn't apply much hear, but 12"+ for full sized trucks. I had my tacoma on 11" once and i got the heck outta there QUICK!! Has anyone ever driven or seen anyone on the ice with vehicles in WA??

Great story Anglinarcher...i can picture it in my head.....:cheers:
I have caught many fish in my life. The most exciting? The next one.....

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Hal
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RE:Ice Safety!!

Post by Hal » Tue Aug 19, 2008 10:12 am

I will admit to driving on a lake and popping a hole, only to find 10" of ice. I had an f150 ext cab. Another lake had 14" of ice and was deeper than this lake. Every lake is different! Yes, I left that lake asap #-o
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Hal
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RE:Ice Safety!!

Post by Hal » Tue Aug 19, 2008 10:12 am

There are some good ice safety vids on you tube also.
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Rollin with Rolland
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RE:Ice Safety!!

Post by Rollin with Rolland » Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:25 pm

Ya Hal....there are some good video there. A great resource if you are thinking about trying ice fishing for the first time. Of course, it is best to go with an experienced ice angler first, but if you are careful and smart about it, give it a try. I just found this. Not local to WA, but another great source for ice safety in general....





MN DNR ice safety...must read/watch!!
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Fish-or-man?
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RE:Ice Safety!!

Post by Fish-or-man? » Sun Sep 21, 2008 12:32 am

The few times I've fished the ice I put all my gear on an inflatable one-man raft and drug it behind me. I'm sure it's not quite as safe as a life jacket, but I felt a lot more secure. If I was even a tad unsure of the ice I'd set up my tripod chair inside the raft and fish from the inside.

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