Early Ice… Be Safe!
By Babe Winkelman

A four-wheeler went through the ice the other day near Brainerd, Minnesota where I live. Luckily, no one was hurt or killed. When news like that surfaces, you really scratch your head and wonder ‘what in the world was that person thinking!?” Sure, most of the lakes around here have made good ice for walking, but as I write this, most lakes are not ready for a heavy machine.

Which makes you wonder… when is the ice safe enough walking and driving? The truth is, ice is never 100% safe. Last winter, on a local lake that had nearly 4 feet of ice, a vehicle went through on a spot that just had a few inches? How can that be… to have 4 feet here and 3 inches just a stone’s throw away? Sometimes current can be the culprit, or the heat from decaying vegetation, or a pressure ridge. But in this case, it was fish. That’s right, fish! Whitefish had swarmed in a monster school just under the ice sheet, and their constant motion had eroded the ice above them and wore it thin.

I love ice fishing, so there’s no keeping me off the frozen lakes during winter. I also love being alive, so I’m very cautious about ice safety. To help fellow anglers stay safe this year, I’ve compiled some helpful information and tips, along with some things you should know if you ever have the misfortune of going through.

The first thing to know is necessary thickness of new, clear, solid ice. For activities on foot, 4 inches is the minimum thickness. Once the ice has gotten to be 5 inches thick or more, then it’s safe for your snowmobile or ATV. Don’t think about driving a car or small truck until there’s at least 8-12 inches of good clear ice. And if you drive a big SUV, 15 inches is recommended.

If freezing conditions are less-than-favorable, and the ice is cloudy and/or slushy, then thicknesses must be much greater than those listed above. Also, if you’re dealing with waterways that have current or a lot of emergent vegetation, remember that these factors can affect the strength/thickness of ice too.

When venturing out on new ice for the first time, be prepared. It’s always a good idea to wear a life jacket under your winter coat. In addition to being an insurance policy that could save your life, a flotation vest provides an extra measure of insulation to keep you warm. Another must-have accessory for ice activities are ice spikes. These are basically two handles with sharp steel spikes at the ends, that you can use to “stab” the ice and pull yourself out if you ever go through.

As you step out from shore, test the ice while you’re still above shallow water. Thump it with your boot. Jump up and down. If there’s any “give” at all, turn around and wait for more ice. If it’s solid, as you venture further out, take a thickness reading by drilling or chopping a hole and measure the thickness. Do this routinely as you move further out, to ensure consistency.

Before attempting travel on early ice you’re unfamiliar with, check with a nearby resort or bait shop and ask them about it. It may be ice that’s never suitable for vehicle travel, for example, but you won’t know if you don’t ask.

When driving a snowmobile, ATV or truck on a frozen lake, drive sensibly and slowly. Never “overdrive” your vehicle’s headlight. Pressure ridges are some of the most dangerous spots on the ice (points where the ice heaves). Hitting one can be disastrous, since it is both an obstruction AND a weak spot in the ice. Keeping your speed down allows you to have enough braking time if you come upon a pressure ridge.

Naturally, when operating any motorized vehicle, do not consume alcohol. And even if you’re just walking out from the cabin to ice fish, drink responsibly. Even a few beers can contribute to an error in judgment that could come back to haunt you. Plus, alcohol (contrary to popular belief) makes you lose body heat.

If you do meet with a serious mishap and break through the ice, it doesn’t mean your goose is cooked. You have about a five-minute window of opportunity to get yourself out before the effects of cold take their toll. I could go on for pages about the techniques for escape, but instead I’ll direct you to a web link on YouTube. The video is hosted by a guy who’s an expert on bio-thermal science, and in the video he actually gets into the icy water to demonstrate how to get out. Then he gets back in and explains everything that’s happening to him as he gets closer and closer to unconsciousness. This is a video that EVERY ice fisherman or snowmobiler should watch at the beginning of every ice season. So go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysnKtuUTt8k and take a look.

Ice fishing, and all frozen lake activities, are a part of life in the northern states. The fishing can be the best it is all year long. So, do yourself a favor and live to experience many, many winters. Be safe on the ice, and have a great time.

Good Fishing!

Babe Winkelman is a nationally-known outdoorsman who has taught people to fish and hunt for more than 25 years. Watch the award-winning “Good Fishing” and “Outdoor Secrets” television shows on Versus (formerly OLN), Fox Sports Net, Comcast Southeast, WILD TV and many local networks.  Visit www.winkelman.com for air times where you live.