Author Topic: ice thickness (Read 3945 times)

mrjohnny · « **on:** Dec 14, 2018, 02:29 PM »

how much will you fish own? I like at lease 5-6 here..

stinkyfingers · « **Reply #1 on:** Dec 14, 2018, 03:15 PM »

Quote from: mrjohnny on Dec 14, 2018, 02:29 PM

how much will you fish own? I like at lease 5-6 here..

It's 4" for me but we have a local contingent for whom a hard 2" is plenty good. And they don't go through so I've learned to keep my mouth shut and mind my own business.

WalleyeBird · « **Reply #2 on:** Dec 14, 2018, 03:19 PM »

Smaller ponds a FULL 2 is good for me. Just be cautious.

When there’s potential for moving water (reservoirs etc) id usually like 4-5.

Chute82 · « **Reply #3 on:** Dec 14, 2018, 03:29 PM »

Under law I’m not sure if fish could own anything....I would contact an attorney for clarification

Raptortrapper · « **Reply #4 on:** Dec 14, 2018, 04:23 PM »

I fished on two inches once. ONCE!! Won't ever do it again. We wait for 3.5" to 4" now.

When we went on 2", we'd take a step in the wrong spot, and the ice would spider web. We'd lift our foot, back up a little bit, and go a different direction. Won't do that again.

lefty2053 · « **Reply #5 on:** Dec 14, 2018, 04:25 PM »

Fished the 2 inches one time also. Snagging salmon through the ice off a river. 50 yards away was open water. Wont ever do that again.

Unclegillhunter · « **Reply #6 on:** Dec 14, 2018, 04:35 PM »

Quote from: Chute82 on Dec 14, 2018, 03:29 PM

Under law I’m not sure if fish could own anything....I would contact an attorney for clarification

you have way to much free brain time to use it correcting spelling. Anyway I will fish on three inches of clear ice.
Keep it safe! JDL

skifisher · « **Reply #7 on:** Dec 14, 2018, 04:37 PM »

Depends on the quality of the ice...solid black ice, 3”-4” minimum, cloudy or white ice, 5”-6” or more! We all know thickness will vary from spot to spot due to many different factors, so thickness is relative. Caution and a spud bar is always a great option. Always fish safe!

TheStretch · « **Reply #8 on:** Dec 14, 2018, 04:40 PM »

Fished 2" once, and used to go out on 4" all the time. Now, I usually wait for 6". I don't want to constantly worry about where I step. I'd rather just worry about where to drill and when to open the malibu and OJ

Scupbaron · « **Reply #9 on:** Dec 14, 2018, 04:45 PM »

for me 3 inches is very comfortable but i'll push it to 2 3/4 if small pond ..plus i pack light under 4 inches, just sled with the basic gear ....but i only weigh 155 too. 1 3/4 ice actually supports me fine walking around checking thickness but i wont fish on it or go over water beyond waist deep

Glowjigger · « **Reply #10 on:** Dec 14, 2018, 05:28 PM »

3-4 inches of ice feels safe to me but I don't feel comfortable wandering around until there's 6-8 inches of solid ice and the temps are below freezing. With the weather we are having it's going to be awhile.

Chris338378 · « **Reply #11 on:** Dec 14, 2018, 05:33 PM »

Bare bones minimum for me is 4 inches of clear ice, if it's not clear I definitely want more than that.

buzzbomb · « **Reply #12 on:** Dec 14, 2018, 05:40 PM »

I've fallen through the ice; your balls go right up inside you.

RapShack · « **Reply #13 on:** Dec 14, 2018, 07:00 PM »

Was out on 4" tonight. I'm sure the folks driving past on the bridge thought I was crazy but what do they know.

SLAYERFISH · « **Reply #14 on:** Dec 14, 2018, 07:04 PM »

Well I don't make a habit of it but this was last weekend 2.00001". It would sag a little if you stood in one spot too long.

Same spot:

perch chacer · « **Reply #15 on:** Dec 14, 2018, 07:09 PM »

Quote from: RapShack on Dec 14, 2018, 07:00 PM

Was out on 4" tonight. I'm sure the folks driving past on the bridge thought I was crazy but what do they know.

(Image removed from quote.)

Is that the RT 86 bridge over Chautauqua Lake? I know the South-East end at Brutis Bay was frozen.

potatoe · « **Reply #16 on:** Dec 14, 2018, 07:23 PM »

Pretty sure I was on 3 today, felt safe but others around. waited at ramp for friends before I walked out

used spud bar and carried rope and throw

RapShack · « **Reply #17 on:** Dec 14, 2018, 07:26 PM »

Quote from: perch chacer on Dec 14, 2018, 07:09 PM

Is that the RT 86 bridge over Chautauqua Lake?

Nah, I-90 over the Mississippi.

SLAYERFISH · « **Reply #18 on:** Dec 14, 2018, 07:35 PM »

I think a lot it depends where you live/ fish. Out West here early ice is extremely clear and hard. Bays, Coves, freeze different than areas with current. We weren't very far out, certainly deep enough to drown, but 2" I ain't going out in the middle of the lake. Also as morning turned into afternoon the ice started sagging. A couple hours later it will have firmed back up. Just gotta pick yer spots.

BlueDuck · « **Reply #19 on:** Dec 14, 2018, 07:57 PM »

I usually want at least 4" of good ice. Even then I like to see people out there heavier then me. Jest because its 4" here doesn't mean its not less over there.

spoofhoundicefisher · « **Reply #20 on:** Dec 14, 2018, 08:05 PM »

2 to 3 inches around here of good black ice is all you need. just have to know what to look for and listen for and always always always use your spud. it should be your best friend first ice. i fished last weekend on 2 and a half inches of ice that felt safer then 5 to 6 inches of late ice. two good hits with the spud did not go thru so good enough for this fat boy.

jimhaney08 · « **Reply #21 on:** Dec 14, 2018, 08:20 PM »

I'm a 4" of good ice guy. Not worth risking an early death. I'm 205lb so no reason to push it.

perch chacer · « **Reply #22 on:** Dec 14, 2018, 08:31 PM »

I like 4"of black ice with cold temps. When there is slush under the snow I like to increase the ice thickness an inch or two more, slush is heavy. Spring ice is even a different story, you have to know how to read the ice see this web page, http://lakeice.squarespace.com/candled-ice/

dunnhuntin · « **Reply #23 on:** Dec 14, 2018, 09:05 PM »

On lakes with no current I will walk out with light gear and a spud bar on 2.5" of real good clear ice but prefer 3". The snowmobile comes out at 6". I wait for 8" on the big lake.

missoulafish · « **Reply #24 on:** Dec 14, 2018, 09:30 PM »

2" of PERFECT ice Is adequate. It's safe but not comfortable.

EYOYO · « **Reply #25 on:** Dec 15, 2018, 03:07 AM »

Happens to read this post on Twitter
https://twitter.com/mark_tarello/status/1073756442061139968

mrjohnny · « **Reply #26 on:** Dec 15, 2018, 05:40 AM »

thanks for your replies..If I aint comfortable
on the ice I have a hard time fishing..some
people laugh at me for bringing a life jacket with
me..i like it for knealing on as well..

kpd145 · « **Reply #27 on:** Dec 15, 2018, 06:25 AM »

Quote from: mrjohnny on Dec 15, 2018, 05:40 AM

thanks for your replies..If I aint comfortable
on the ice I have a hard time fishing..some
people laugh at me for bringing a life jacket with
me..i like it for knealing on as well..

Bring 2 life jackets if that's makes is more comfortable for you. If others laugh at you, the quick fix is usually throwing up one of your two middle fingers in their direction.

tmartin · « **Reply #28 on:** Dec 15, 2018, 06:50 AM »

4" is a good place to start. Cold sub freezing temps will hold the edge during the day.

UFCreel · « **Reply #29 on:** Dec 15, 2018, 07:23 AM »

Was on 3 inches of clear ice once with our group of guys. Anyhow one guy in the group caught a nice walleye. We all went over to see it. we were spread out pretty good in about an 8 foot circle admiring his fish. O dropped my rod. I knelt down to get it pretty hard and cracked the ice. I weighed about 250 back then. It opened up with water spraying up. Everyone ran. I rolled away. We all still laugh about that one. As it turns out that area only had 2 inches of ice. Was on 4.5 inches last Monday at it was fine.

News:

Author Topic: ice thickness (Read 3945 times)

Chute82