Author Topic: What is safe ice to you (Read 4730 times)

ice--cube · « **on:** Dec 08, 2009, 10:36 PM »

I was just wondering what everyone option of safe ice thickness is. I'm thinking of gong out early this year. Usually i don't go out till there is 7" or better, but I hear of how the fish bite is so great early. I just really don't want to get wet. Been there done that don't want to do it again.

ianripken · « **Reply #1 on:** Dec 08, 2009, 10:41 PM »

I'll go on 3 1/2-4", but not alone and not without some good long rope. I'll drill all the way out to where I'm going to fish, just to make sure it's not getting thinner the closer I get to my spot. I'll drill every 10-15 feet. First ice without any lengthy warm stretches on it's way to 4" is usually strong ice. Good luck!

IceFishinJoe · « **Reply #2 on:** Dec 08, 2009, 10:43 PM »

Clear 2", but have been known to be out a little less. It still makes me pucker though and I am always in shallow water.

Joe

beeverfishing · « **Reply #3 on:** Dec 08, 2009, 10:50 PM »

I wait until there is atleast 3". I'm comfortable with 3" of good ice, But if I'm taking friends or the Girlfriend.. Nothing less then 5". If I get wet, thats my fault... If they get wet.. thats MY FAULT TOO !!

Heinrix_54 · « **Reply #4 on:** Dec 08, 2009, 10:51 PM »

When I was younger I freaked out on 5" of ice, now I'll go out on 2 1/2-3" without batting an eye. I stay in the shallows and it's only a short walk to my truck, albeit a very COLD walk if I go through

esox_magnum · « **Reply #5 on:** Dec 08, 2009, 10:52 PM »

If it holds me and my 3 man I'm good, Sunday that was 3".

SkeeterJeff · « **Reply #6 on:** Dec 08, 2009, 10:53 PM »

I'll fish 3" of good clear ice. My wife will go on 4", but prefers 5" or 6" of ice before she will venture beyond about 5' deep.

-Jeff

Desperado · « **Reply #7 on:** Dec 08, 2009, 10:56 PM »

Any ice you are currently on is QUESTIONABLE ice

Any ice that you just left without incident was safe ice

Of course as soon as you step back onto it, it is immediately questionable ice again

rabidsponge · « **Reply #8 on:** Dec 08, 2009, 11:04 PM »

for me id say anything over 3"...for my buddies, theyd say anything i can safely go out on since im the biggest lol

Kevin23 · « **Reply #9 on:** Dec 08, 2009, 11:19 PM »

3"+ of CLEAR ICE. 5-6" of cloudy crappy ice.

slipperybob · « **Reply #10 on:** Dec 09, 2009, 01:03 AM »

Cautious on 2, somewhat cautious on 3, slightly cautious on 4, happy skippy dodah on 5,

oneman · « **Reply #11 on:** Dec 09, 2009, 03:32 AM »

4" of good clear ice for me, I am a big fella though. Can't help but to scratch my head about you fellas going out on 2" of ice. I just hope you don't get killed.

scavengerj · « **Reply #12 on:** Dec 09, 2009, 04:10 AM »

As has been mentioned...there is no such thing as safe ice. It all comes down to your personal pucker factor. Personally I have no problem with 3.5" - 4" of new ice...clear/black on lakes I know.
Early and late in the season I always use a spud bar, have ice picks on and a throw rope available.

jason1348 · « **Reply #13 on:** Dec 09, 2009, 04:52 AM »

i will go out on 3in no problem confused about people going out on two inch. The water not deep ok mabey . But its cold if u fall in the drink

filetandrelease · « **Reply #14 on:** Dec 09, 2009, 05:05 AM »

I will fish 3" when I was young have fished 2"many times but I think desperado said it best once off the ice it's is all safe !!

db1561 · « **Reply #15 on:** Dec 09, 2009, 06:45 AM »

3" minimum for me.. And thats staying in shalow water 4ft or less.

DR.SPECKLER · « **Reply #16 on:** Dec 09, 2009, 06:58 AM »

3 im kinda shakey 4 or 5 and im fine.

Pajns · « **Reply #17 on:** Dec 09, 2009, 07:00 AM »

4 is about as thin as I'll go.

Madpuppy · « **Reply #18 on:** Dec 09, 2009, 07:04 AM »

Depends on how stupid I am that day, at my age I'm not as dumb as I used to be. I'll wait for 6", I'm a big boy.

piker1 · « **Reply #19 on:** Dec 09, 2009, 07:07 AM »

Show me 3" I'm there.........

Wiener · « **Reply #20 on:** Dec 09, 2009, 07:21 AM »

Ice thick enough to hold my fat a$$ without falling through.

Usually 5 inches of good ice before I venture out.

icejunky · « **Reply #21 on:** Dec 09, 2009, 07:22 AM »

i prefer thicker, but i fish 3 inches almost every year.

jascpa099 · « **Reply #22 on:** Dec 09, 2009, 07:23 AM »

Quote from: Desperado on Dec 08, 2009, 10:56 PM

Any ice you are currently on is QUESTIONABLE ice

Any ice that you just left without incident was safe ice

Of course as soon as you step back onto it, it is immediately questionable ice again

Well said!

Woodsman · « **Reply #23 on:** Dec 09, 2009, 07:48 AM »

4" of clear ice for me as long as neither of these to are nearby.
1: Open water
2: Current

Tainterslayer · « **Reply #24 on:** Dec 09, 2009, 08:08 AM »

3 inches of fairly clear ice. I like to bounce up and down and if it doesnt crack then I am a lot more confident. 3 inches is the pure minimm that i would ever go out on. Hypothermia/death is not worth it for an extra day of fishing. Even if you have ice picks, standing wet on the ice in 15 degree weather will kill you really quick

stormtrooper · « **Reply #25 on:** Dec 09, 2009, 08:31 AM »

I fish on the first 3 inches every year.It's hard to stay on shore when there is over twenty guys out there many bigger than me.Even if it is 2.5 inches thick guys will be fishing.I have to laugh about staying in shallow water.What is that?4- 6 ft deep 50 yds. from sure.If you go in your still dead.Seriously how many guys would try to help.It goes against everything they say."never try to pull someone out" "you'll only go in too".That's when they use their cell phone to call 911 and beeline it to the shore.
I never owned a pair of saftety picks(probably a good idead).The way I see it,If I need those the ice isn't thick enough. I always takes a while to get used to fishing on 2-5 to 3 inches. I"trust" the integrity of thinner ice more when it 25 degrees or below.

panfishman13 · « **Reply #26 on:** Dec 09, 2009, 08:50 AM »

5" no less. most of the lakes around here drop to 20 fow after you get maybe 10 feet from shore. plus there aren't any crazy 4-wheelers out yet (not including you sane 4-wheelers, only the ones that drive right next to where you're fishing)

tommy-n · « **Reply #27 on:** Dec 09, 2009, 11:02 AM »

2 1/2''-3'' clear ice, no inlets or outlets nearby

pikeslammer · « **Reply #28 on:** Dec 09, 2009, 11:12 AM »

i dont really know im 315 pounds so im going to need at least 3 1/2 inches oc lear ice if not more

http://gf.nd.gov/images/photos/ice-chart.jpg

bassinbrian_on_ice · « **Reply #29 on:** Dec 09, 2009, 11:41 AM »

I will not go if it's under 4" ... i know buddy's who go out on 2" or 3" , but i'll wait !! !

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Author Topic: What is safe ice to you (Read 4730 times)