Please read and use the following ice fishing safety tips on every venture you take on the ice. It could save your or a friends life.
Rules for Ice Fishing
- It is best to always keep at least 3-4″ of good, solid ice under you at all times.
- New, clear ice is usually stronger than white ice that has thawed and refrozen, or black ice that is deteriorating.
- Go ice fishing with a friend, walk in single file, spread out, wear flotation gear, and check ice conditions often.
- Tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back.
- Carry a fully charged cell phone in a water tight plastic bag
- Shore ice usually melts first during a thaw so head back early on warmer days when the ice is marginal.
- Carry 50′ of throwing rope in case a rescue is necessary.
- The areas to avoid are around moving water, springs, roads, where plants or objects protrude thru the ice
Simple Homemade Ice Picks
Cut off (2) 6 inch pieces from a broom handle
Pound a nail in one end of both of then and grind to a point
Drill a hole thru the other ends and insert a cord long enough to thread thru your coat arms and across the shoulders leaving enough length to grip them in each hand.
Recommended Ice Thickness
2 inches or less STAY OFF
4 inches is Generally Safe for Ice Fishing Foot Traffic
5 inches Snowmobile
8 to 12 inches Car or Small Pick Up Truck
12 to 15 inches Medium Pick Up Truck
Remember: Ice is NEVER SAFE. Even if ice is a 12 inches thick in one area, it could be only inches thick a few feet away!
NEVER trust ice. It’s ability to be safe can be influenced by many factors
HYPOTHERMIA
Loss of body heat to the water, is a major cause of deaths in boating and ice fishing accidents.
The leading cause of death is listed as drowning; but, often the primary cause is hypothermia.
It should also be noted that alcohol lowers the body temperature around two to three degrees by dilating the blood vessels.
Do not drink alcohol around cold water.
Keep in mind, wind and rain can also cause severe hypothermia.
If your boating a properly worn life jacket and rain gear are a must and a flotation suit for icefishing.
The following chart shows the effects of hypothermia in water:
| Water Temperature | Exhaustion | Survival Time |
| Over 80° | Indefinite | Indefinite |
| 70° to 80° | 3 to 12 Hours | 3 Hours to Indefinite |
| 60° to 70° | 2 to 7 Hours | 2 to 40 Hours |
| 50° to 60° | 1 to 2 Hours | 1 to 6 Hours |
| 40° to 50° | 30 to 60 Minutes | 1 to 3 Hours |
| 32.5° to 40° | 15 to 30 Minutes | 30 to 90 Minutes |
| 32.5° | Under 15 Minutes | Under 15 to 45 Minutes |
CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
Notice: Ice conditions are never considered “SAFE” and a signed liability and damage waiver may be requested. Remember, if you are intending to do any fishing you are required to carry a valid fishing license. Please refer to the FMZ Map for rules and regulations for the species of fish you are targeting.
