ICE FISHING

[MyButt]

Hello All.

Just a few questions if I may guys. I wana go ice fishing this year, not real big on it, considering I lost a atv already, so What is considered SAFE ICE, should you hear cracking sounds????

I would like to go this year, I'll have a HUT on Weller's Bay

Any advise would be GREAT Guys!

Stay safe, stay cool guys.
MyButt

[almontefisher]

MyButt: Safe ice is a matter of personal comfort...I prefer no less than 6" to walk on and at least 14" to drive..As for a shack I would put one on with 18+"...Why not come out one time with myself and a few buddies on Clayton Lake this year...A personal invite if you wish. May be a long drive but I will make it worth your while...Small print here...I am not liable for not catching any fish or falling thru ice at any point on this adventure.

[ynot]

Here ya go!

Gauging the strength of ice is very difficult. There is no such thing as 100% safe ice.
- Never walk or drive on cloudy ice
- Only go on clear, thick ice
- Spring ice is NEVER safe
- The thickness of ice is never consistent - it will be flat on top, but not on the bottom
- Snow on ice acts as an insulator - it makes ice warmer and weaker
- Extreme cold snaps will weaken the ice
- Ice formed over running water (rivers & streams) is more dangerous than ice formed over standing water (lakes & ponds)
General ice thickness guidelines (new, clear ice only):
- Less than 2 inches - STAY OFF!
- 4" and thicker - probably safe for walking and ice fishing on foot
- 5" and thicker - probably safe for ATV or snowmobiling
- 8-12" and thicker - probably safe for small cars or light pickups
- 12-15" and thicker - probably safe for medium trucks

Noisy ice doesn't necessarily mean unsafe ice. It's just the layer of ice shifting and moving on top of the water.
The safety of ice is ever-changing. It depends on a multitude of factors.
- thickness
- age of the ice
- temperature
- snow cover
- depth of water under the ice
- size of the body of water under the ice
- water chemistry
- currents
- local climate
- distribution of weight on the ice

Your most important tool is common sense.

[almontefisher]

What YNot said is perfect...And I was told that the ice cracking is a sign that it is getting stronger...Could be an old wives tale but it makes me feel better at 1am listening to it in my hut.

[MyButt]

Hi All,

Yeah I lost a machine already, hey anyone know where one can buy a Fan Boat, this might be my solution to my fears of going through, I’ll just build a hut on that fish over the side.

Cheers! All.

MyButt

[Pickerel Paul]

Up North (Lake Nipissing) they say the ice is safe when all the Frenchmen stop breaking through!