FishFreakOnline Posting Page
Friday, January 8, 2010
Ice fishing is a great activity to enjoy throughout the winter months, but without the right attention to safety, it can turn to disaster. Use some of these practical ice fishing safety tips as you plan for your next trip out on the ice.

  1. Never go out onto the ice alone or if you feel it may be unsafe. Just don't risk it.
  2. If there is the notice that the ice is unsafe, do not go ice fishing. It's that simple.
  3. As you plan your ice fishing trip, make sure that you are tracking environmental temperatures for a few days before you plan on fishing, as well as on the day you will be going.
  4. When you get to edge of the body of water, visually survey the ice. Look for any open water areas, signs of change in water levels (wet areas on the ice).
  5. Listen for any loud cracks or booms coming from the ice. In a river, this can mean the ice is about to break or move. On a lake larger than several acres, this sound can just be normal response to thermal expansion and contraction.
  6. Look for an easy point of access out onto the ice, free of debris.
  7. Dress properly for the environment and be aware of any environmental changes.
  8. If you are taking a vehicle or other heavy equipment on the ice, go out on foot first. Probe ahead of yourself with the ice chisel. If the chisel ever goes through, carefully turn around and retrace your steps back to shore, and try again some other day.
  9. Near shore, listen for hollow sounds while probing. Ice sloping down from the bank may have air space underneath. This is not safe; ice must be floating on the water to support loads.
  10. After getting on the ice, others in your group should follow, but stay at least 10 feet apart.

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by: FishFreakOnline

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