Ice Thickness and Safety

[Hatandboots]

I'm sure we have all seen the standard ice thickness safety chart, like this:




But how do thickness requirements change when you bring a group of people out? Or pulling a sled (by hand) with a tent and equipment? If 4 inches is safe for a person, does that mean 4 inches would be unsafe for  three people seated inside a hub fishing with all the tools? Not many guides explain this and might give false confidence in ice.

It seems like googling this gives me a variety of answers, which is disconcerting. I did find a couple that said 4" for one person, 6" for a group and that seems ballpark reaonsable. Maybe a more scientific way to go about it is; How much weight can a thickness of ice support?

What do you guys think?

[zcm_82]

To me that largely depends on the ice, and the people.

I'm a fairly large guy and I fish out of a portable. I'll go by myself on 3" of new, black, firm ice, but I won't have anyone else with me on less than 4. Generally 4.5+" if that someone else is another large adult. Definitely more if it is crappy ice.

[FreshwaterPhil]

Almost never out on less than 3.5 inches solid. If I am, I'll make sure whoever I'm with keeps a distance as much as possible, and we try not to drill too many holes too close to each other. I'm in mid 150's and pack very light (manual auger at first ice, no shelter, etc), so not too worried.

If I were to fish with anyone significantly heavier early on in the season, I'd probably have them lead the way 

[WARRIOR_ON_ICE]

4 inches of quality ice is safe for multiple people to be standing together closely, regardless of their weight.

[Walted]

I agree with most previous that say 3 to 4 inches of "New, Black, Firm, Quality", whatever ice is a safe start. However, this can give false confidence as well. Don't ever forget that 4" here can mean 1.5" right over there. Just like a firearm it is your responsibility to check it.

[eyeflyer]

4 inches of quality ice is safe for multiple people to be standing together closely, regardless of their weight.

You have no way of knowing this for a fact, how many is multiple people?? Very irresponsible comment.

[filetandrelease]

 3-4”s here with spud and picks
 
 
 
 

[Rebelss]

You have no way of knowing this for a fact, how many is multiple people?? Very irresponsible comment.

Beat me to it. I have to second that. No ice is ever totally safe, and certainly not 4" with "multiple people to be standing together closely". That was a reckless statement to make. I cringe everytime I see this yearly thread about safe ice...... at best, follow the basic guidelines. AND, if on a river or stream with current, add at LEAST 1" followed by spudding before you even entertain fishing on it. Just some constructive input that may help save a life.

[WARRIOR_ON_ICE]

You have no way of knowing this for a fact, how many is multiple people?? Very irresponsible comment.

OK, I will edit my post and say up to 4 people can safely all stand at a distance of what is considered not to be invading one's personal space, in a group. I would never fish with a group larger than that anyway. Before that happens, the ice has to be confirmed to be a consistent thickness over the entire area to be walked on, of at least 4 inches of quality ice ( black ice of 1 layer, not refrozen slush or white ice ). I should have been more thorough and given this description in the first place. I have been ice fishing for 32 years with a group of four without any incidents of the ice breaking if the minimum described above is met.

[nindo24]

4 inches of quality ice is safe for multiple people to be standing together closely, regardless of their weight.

I use to know a guy that would go out ice fishing, he was pushing 400 lbs. So you mean to tell me that 4, 5, or even 6 of him standing around the same area wouldn't break the ice?? Okie dokie then. Remind me not to go fishing with you.

[FreshwaterPhil]

I use to know a guy that would go out ice fishing, he was pushing 400 lbs. So you mean to tell me that 4, 5, or even 6 of him standing around the same area wouldn't break the ice?? Okie dokie then. Remind me not to go fishing with you.

When was the last time you saw 4 to 6 400 lbs guys on thin ice 

[zcm_82]

When was the last time you saw 4 to 6 400 lbs guys on thin ice 

[Rebelss]

 

[filetandrelease]

 Good 1 Reb lol

[FreshwaterPhil]

 

Built in augers too.

[Rebelss]

Good 1 Reb lol

Thanks, but zcm gets credit for that pic! Love it!   

[Rebelss]

Built in augers too.

I thought those were built in spuds.... 

[DR.SPECKLER]

I go by how many whacks with a spud and how hard i have to hit the ice.im not out there measuring ice.4 to 5 hard whacks with my spud and i keep walking.sound also comes in to play.its hard to describe but new hard black ice has a different sound than weak  white air pocket filled ice when the spud hits it.you learn thing with years of spudding ice.

[RuttNutt]

A buddy and I were on a lake with early ice- 4” black and we got a little too close at times and heard it crack. Didn’t go thru, but it was enough to keep us from getting too close! 😬😬😬

[Mancaveburnett]

Spud and common sense is what guides me.
My backup plan is my Stryker float suit and ice picks.
With unfamiliar water/ice, safe bet is to follow shanty towns.

[kpd145]

3 inches with spud and any safety gear needed for thin early season ice. This early, if its not black ice, I'm going home.

I've fished with less ice but I'm not that stupid any more...I think

[Hatandboots]

How does this change when you guys go out with full equipment and more people? My tent is 50 lb, heater and tank is another ~20lb, sled, rods, chair etc.. I'm probably carrying 100lb of gear. Looking online it seems 5-6" for more people is safer. Assuming ice is decent of course.

I'm going out with 4 people to sit in a tent and fish for the day. How much ice is safe for four 200lb people?

[SLAYERFISH]

If you don't fall thru it's THICKAFUGGINGNUFF!

[Rebelss]

Well, there's always the guy that say he fished safely on 2" new ice. Same guy that played Russian Roulette becuz he was bored. 

[SLAYERFISH]

Here's some 2.00001"- 3" ice fishing.   

[missoulafish]

Yup. I will fish 2" of good ice but not  2" of junk ice. Good ice won't just magically fall away below you. Be careful,  be cautious, be prepared.

[kpd145]

How does this change when you guys go out with full equipment and more people? My tent is 50 lb, heater and tank is another ~20lb, sled, rods, chair etc.. I'm probably carrying 100lb of gear. Looking online it seems 5-6" for more people is safer. Assuming ice is decent of course.

I'm going out with 4 people to sit in a tent and fish for the day. How much ice is safe for four 200lb people?

l'd wait till you have at least 4 inches of black ice or lose the hub and spread out.

get 4 grown adults around a hole and you will see it flex.

Be careful have safety equipment on standby.

[missoulafish]

yup, and as it flexes and puts more water and weight on the ice, the more unsafe you become.

[WARRIOR_ON_ICE]

Here's some 2.00001"- 3" ice fishing.   

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Love that early black ice at just > 2 inches !  Many a hot bite has happened in that circumstance 

[Sylvanboat]

Love that early black ice at just > 2 inches !  Many a hot bite has happened in that circumstance 

Not me. 4 inches minimum or I don’t go.