Author Topic: How thick does the ice have to be to take kids? (Read 2746 times)

Mountaineer · « **on:** Feb 01, 2007, 05:31 PM »

Just wondering what anyone thinks about how thick the ice has to be before taking any of your kids out fishing. I have a pond behind my house that has about 5.5 - 6 inches of ice (not black ice). I feel safe on it, but on any bigger body of water I personally would wait till it gets a little thicker, just my perference. I want to enjoy ice fishing with my son, but also want to be safe. Thanks.

perchking4ever · « **Reply #1 on:** Feb 01, 2007, 05:41 PM »

i would say you and your sun would be good on 4.5" up of strong black ice.

saphireblue99 · « **Reply #2 on:** Feb 01, 2007, 06:05 PM »

4 inches of black ice will Safely support one 200 -250 lb. person + 150 lbs gear, as per Army Corps of Engineers. The pourous white stuff will help with additional support but NEVER figure this as a substitute for black ice. Everyone has their own preference, guys down here in Pa. will go out on 2 1/2 inches but I won't on less than 5.

fishinfurkarma · « **Reply #3 on:** Feb 01, 2007, 06:16 PM »

My wife wont let me take the kids until there is 6" and they are wearing life vest and i have rope! All good procautions. I also like to try to take them somewhere were there is a good pan fish bite to keep em interested.

nyoutdoors · « **Reply #4 on:** Feb 01, 2007, 06:19 PM »

One friend of mine absolutely refuses to take his kids out on anything less than 8 inches of ice. I guess it's something you just have to figure out on your own.

icetime · « **Reply #5 on:** Feb 01, 2007, 06:31 PM »

My son caught his first fish on a tip-up last weekend on 5" of black ice.

Mountaineer · « **Reply #6 on:** Feb 01, 2007, 06:54 PM »

Thanks for the reposnes. We are just itching to get out and I wanted to know what other people think is safe.

ice boy19 · « **Reply #7 on:** Feb 01, 2007, 07:12 PM »

5 6 inches will do fine. i saw quads riding around on 4.5

marcus · « **Reply #8 on:** Feb 01, 2007, 07:40 PM »

usually when i feel safe i will bring them they have not come out thi year yet $:-\$

Oilcan · « **Reply #9 on:** Feb 01, 2007, 09:45 PM »

Took the boy's out last weekend on 5"s, that is about my limit. There were quads and sleds running all around both day's...

Fire~n~Ice · « **Reply #10 on:** Feb 02, 2007, 07:10 AM »

Funny you should post this. I'm taking the kids out this morning to a local spot with 5-6" nice solid black ice. This will be my daughters first time, so I wanted to make sure she would be safe. My son (12) goes with me if it's at least 4" black -nothing less. Tight Lines!

PERCHPULLER · « **Reply #11 on:** Feb 02, 2007, 08:23 AM »

I send the kids out first to check ice they're lighter than me ;)Just kidding dont send back nasty messages

Reel Laxin · « **Reply #12 on:** Feb 02, 2007, 08:53 AM »

Here is a decent link to use as a reference, and to pull out when the wife is questioning our sanity or is it insanity.
http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/dfwice.htm

ice boy19 · « **Reply #13 on:** Feb 02, 2007, 09:00 AM »

try this reel!!! http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/dfwice.htm

willbilly · « **Reply #14 on:** Feb 02, 2007, 10:05 AM »

Quote from: Mountaineer on Feb 01, 2007, 05:31 PM

Just wondering what anyone thinks about how thick the ice has to be before taking any of your kids out fishing.

I think it depends on how much you like them!!

snaggerr · « **Reply #15 on:** Feb 03, 2007, 10:06 PM »

I take my boy out on 4 ,but around upstate we have alot ice 5 in one spot 2 1/2 10 yards away just check bigger water as you walk dont trust another mans footprints.

hawgerdawger · « **Reply #16 on:** Dec 25, 2007, 11:11 PM »

I'm a spud guy. My 4-year-old son watches me from the bank as I hammer away with several whacks every few steps. If it doesn't go through after a while, then we're fishin'.

hawgerdawger · « **Reply #17 on:** Dec 25, 2007, 11:26 PM »

I'm a spud guy. My 4-year-old son watches me from the bank as I hammer away at the surface every few steps. Then, I drill a hole or two. As soon as I make a good survey of the area, he comes out. I believe just looking at the depth of ice can be deceiving, so I want to be sure. Haven't had problems yet, knock on wood!

I love having him on the ice! And, it pays. His biggest "wahoo" while opening presents this morning was the one he gave opening his new jigging rod! I just looked at my wife and smiled while she was shaking her head.

Here's a pic from yesterday (6-7 inches) ...

jighead · « **Reply #18 on:** Dec 26, 2007, 05:55 AM »

Quote from: hawgerdawger on Dec 25, 2007, 11:11 PM

I'm a spud guy. My 4-year-old son watches me from the bank as I hammer away with several whacks every few steps. If it doesn't go through after a while, then we're fishin'.

This is it, without a spud you cannot trust ice from one step to another. People check it with an auger then just walk on, how do you know how much ice is ten feet from there? A spud is a cheap investment to keep you safe, I bought mine for $16 at Bass Pro, get one and forget about it, AND USE IT!!!

The Moose · « **Reply #19 on:** Jan 01, 2008, 02:12 PM »

It depends on if its there first time going ice fishing. If i were you 7inch's would be nice also it depends on how much you like them.

vivlamored · « **Reply #20 on:** Jan 01, 2008, 03:15 PM »

if you'll go on 4-5 wait till there is double that for yourself you can never be so sure

rgfixit · « **Reply #21 on:** Jan 01, 2008, 03:45 PM »

This from "The Old Farmers Almanac".

Ice Thickness*    Permissible Load

3 inches   Single person on foot
4 inches   Group in single file
7-1/2 inches   Passenger car (2-ton gross)
8 inches   Light truck (2-1/2-ton gross)
10 inches   Medium truck (3-1/2-ton gross)
12 inches   Heavy truck (8-ton gross)
15 inches   10 tons
20 inches   25 tons
30 inches   70 tons
36 inches   110 tons
*Solid clear blue/black and lake ice.
Slush ice has only half the strength of blue ice.
Strength value of river ice is 15 percent less.

RG

wnybassman · « **Reply #22 on:** Jan 01, 2008, 08:50 PM »

Quote from: rgfixit on Jan 01, 2008, 03:45 PM

This from "The Old Farmers Almanac".

Ice Thickness*    Permissible Load

3 inches   Single person on foot
4 inches   Group in single file
7-1/2 inches   Passenger car (2-ton gross)
8 inches   Light truck (2-1/2-ton gross)
10 inches   Medium truck (3-1/2-ton gross)
12 inches   Heavy truck (8-ton gross)
15 inches   10 tons
20 inches   25 tons
30 inches   70 tons
36 inches   110 tons
*Solid clear blue/black and lake ice.
Slush ice has only half the strength of blue ice.
Strength value of river ice is 15 percent less.

RG

I heard somewhere that 3 inches is good for a horse, and 2 inches is good for a horse's ass. The second part is at least true.

SPARKYICE · « **Reply #23 on:** Jan 02, 2008, 10:50 AM »

check the post i made here earlier today "boy falls trhough"
the paper doesn't say how thick the ice was.
i'll take my crazy arse out on 2 1/2",but, boy , i wouldn't want to be responsible for anybody but myself, let alone a kid.

captain54 · « **Reply #24 on:** Jan 02, 2008, 11:24 AM »

I'd say if YOU feel safe for yourself then it should be safe for your kids? It's your call not mine. The Captain

BUCKSKI · « **Reply #25 on:** Jan 02, 2008, 11:32 AM »

Just imagine the worse outcome.
You the adult fall thru, and your kid/s come to help?
Now all of you are in trouble.
The kids will be effected more by the cold water, than you.
I could not live with myself if I put my boys in harms way and they die.
In my view and father of three crazy boys, 6 inches is my limit.

Yes the itch hits me too, Ive been out two times and the kids none, I would love for em to go, but safety if the main concern.

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Author Topic: How thick does the ice have to be to take kids? (Read 2746 times)