ONEIDA LAKE DIEHARDS

[elrodalonzo]

Glad to hear the happy ending MP. I went in quite a few years ago and if you haven't had it happen to you you cant imaging the feeling.  Just a reminder of how dangerous a lake Oneida is in the winter.  If you fish alone which I do you cant overstress the importance of a few safety items.  Hope you never have to use them but if you do they are lifesavers.

[youngster]

happy to hear you made it out ok  and back safe...…   goodluck stay safe

[reeleyz]

Is it posted on here?

https://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=278992.0

I don’t think it is.

Scout - can you get those coords off of Facebook?

[Tbell112]

He didn’t have coordinates but this is the general area

[trapper2000]

I know we have 8 inches of ice but a spud is a beautiful thing to carry....

really glad your here to warn us all MadPerry

[ActiveTrapChecker]

I know we have 8 inches of ice but a spud is a beautiful thing to carry....

really glad your here to warn us all MadPerry

I went out alone on a different lake last night, got to the lake at 22:00. This site has me convinced to walk with a spud every time, even when I witnessed a quad come off as I walked on

[scout57]

https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/p720x720/86665332_10157222431398657_4377564945940742144_o.jpg?_nc_cat=106&_nc_eui2=AeHPyrReQR-C1lpweERrQcNFqWmUmm4d-NHTblPmlfPKVHyABssL5IevJhi4iTv-iZ_qdantVpDKOPeCaWklEl4dTyrtK6R8GxA76_cymN4UQA&_nc_oc=AQm5tr4uJgDZuya0oglIPJGQ7-HtvHc2NPAYt1HOmNNpHyW3KR5dxkxrohI4e4gdfaA&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&_nc_tp=6&oh=ebf8474d6c6f56148911fba2773ef634&oe=5EBC14D3

[scout57]

https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/p720x720/86665332_10157222431398657_4377564945940742144_o.jpg?_nc_cat=106&_nc_eui2=AeHPyrReQR-C1lpweERrQcNFqWmUmm4d-NHTblPmlfPKVHyABssL5IevJhi4iTv-iZ_qdantVpDKOPeCaWklEl4dTyrtK6R8GxA76_cymN4UQA&_nc_oc=AQm5tr4uJgDZuya0oglIPJGQ7-HtvHc2NPAYt1HOmNNpHyW3KR5dxkxrohI4e4gdfaA&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&_nc_tp=6&oh=ebf8474d6c6f56148911fba2773ef634&oe=5EBC14D3

this is the gas hole at williams

[MadPerry]

Glad to hear the happy ending MP. I went in quite a few years ago and if you haven't had it happen to you you cant imaging the feeling.  Just a reminder of how dangerous a lake Oneida is in the winter.  If you fish alone which I do you cant overstress the importance of a few safety items.  Hope you never have to use them but if you do they are lifesavers.

Taking that swim is humbling, isn't it? 

I refuse to be embarrassed about it, however.  And I appreciate how all of you aren't piling on in a typical internet shamefest.  Shows the quality of the people here.

I shared what happened so it sharpens everyone.  Much like I didn't want to go out that way, I don't want any of you to either.  Ice picks are cheap.  I say I was complacent because for a few years I have been "planning" on getting a striker suit.  I have been using a clam suit for several years.  I know now that it did offer a slight amount of buoyancy.  But they fill with water immediately and add to the weight pulling you down.  Big boots do not help while treading water.  I wont be going back out until I have a Striker suit.  I won't be going back out in the dark with no one around or with me.  I also lost my spud bar earlier this season.  Figured I didn't need it anymore this year.  Hmmmmm.

I'm a middle aged man with a few extra pounds.  I struggled mightily getting out.  Something to consider.

[njmar75]

Any gas holes near lewis point and sylvan beach?

[MadPerry]

He didn’t have coordinates but this is the general area

It is likely that was the spot I went through.  I think it was a little closer towards the direction of the island.  I say that because I check Navionics  every couple minutes as I walk out, to see position. That is NOT how it looked this morning in the dark.  Completely covered in snow.  After going in, I was in no position to mark a waypoint.

[choo choo]

Sure glad you had your ice picks on and you got OUT !
Get a good quality winter whistle that does not have a ball inside that could freeze.

That is right near where I was fishing last week heading for the east end of island....thankfully did not find that gas hole by accident! I followed the main sled trail out and did not notice it, might have been just beyond where I hit the 20 fow mark...scary situation being  solo and no one within earshot of you. I might start carrying a driveway reflector post or wood stick and some ribbon, strips of a wal mart bag or police tape as a flag warning in case I find any... for the next guy that might happen by .

[MadPerry]

I know we have 8 inches of ice but a spud is a beautiful thing to carry....

really glad your here to warn us all MadPerry

You are absolutely right.  I lost mine earlier in the season.  I knew there was 8 inches out there because I fished Saturday.  And I wasn't worried about walking anywhere I wanted to.

[filetandrelease]

Glad Your safe , no joke when it comes to safety equipment

[choo choo]

 For you new guy's to ice fishing ,Here is what I carry around my neck when I step out on any ice. Yellow lanyard around my neck holding a nail cclipper, forceps,depth sounders ice paste and most importantly my ice picks and winter whistle.

Again, glad you got out ok...and hope I don't ever have to use the picks or whistle.

[choo choo]

Taking that swim is humbling, isn't it? 

I refuse to be embarrassed about it, however.  And I appreciate how all of you aren't piling on in a typical internet shamefest.  Shows the quality of the people here.

  Big boots do not help while treading water. 

I'm a middle aged man with a few extra pounds.  I struggled mightily getting out.  Something to consider.

We all get a little complacent with the spud bar, especially with 8 or 9 inches of ice.

About the heavy boots...you are so right. An oldtimer told me many years ago when we all wore those heavy sorel type boots.  He said " lace them up, but keep them loose ...in case you go in you can kick them off if you have to" "They get really heavy when in the water"  hard to kick or swim with heavy boots in water.
To this day I lace up my boots loosely when on the ice or out in row boat or canoe, especially in cold water.
I went through the ice when I was in my twenties, no ice picks...was lucky to get out..could not even yell the ice water took my breath away. I don't know if I could get out now without the picks.

[tblaster123]

Very good news that you got out safely. Just goes to show you no ice is ever 100% safe. I saw dozens of wheelers and sleds out off of Chapman on Sunday I would never assume a guy on foot could go thru anywhere besides in front of a running creek. Those gas holes are no joke, to be honest it's terrifying.

[njmar75]

Here is another one between apps sn jewel on 33 ft of water...i did put the mark on navionics

[Tbell112]

Any gas holes near lewis point and sylvan beach?

If someone knows, I also would appreciate knowing.

[PerchEyes]

I went out of Williams this morning, about 530, and walked right into a hole over 20 feet of water.  Just looked like snow and in I went.  Was about 2/3 out from the beach, in a direct line to the islands east point.  It was dark and no one around.  I walked well past the only other person out that early.  Far enough they never heard my yells for help.  I had my ice picks but could not pull myself out on the 1st attempt.  Said to myself I was not going to die there and scratched, kicked and rolled out.  THOSE ICE PICKS SAVED MY LIFE.  Make sure you where them!!!  My approach to ice fishing will completely change now.  Dont be like me and get complacent.  That 1.5 mile walk back was cold and terrifying.  If I had gone in again, I likely wouldnt have had the strength to get out.  Be safe.

MadPerry,
So glad you made it out!
Your post drives home the point that no ice is totally safe especially Oneida with all the gas holes.
We all should learn from your mishap and be cautious and be prepared.
Best,
PerchEyes

[moosefeet]

Wow! Glad your ok! Good thing you had your picks but didn’t hear you mention a spud bar? Might not have made a difference but in the dark I use mine every step.

[BeenPerchin315]

Glad you go out ok. Thanks for sharing. Reminds me how to not get comfortable and just rip out on the sled tho I been doing out for 3 weeks with it.

[coast51]

Glad to hear you made it out safely and thanks for sharing your story and insight. Hopefully we can all learn something from it, heavy boot's, ice picks and a strong will to live. I can see myself easily becoming complacent when there is machines running around and 6" or more of solid ice. Glad your home for sure!!

[Dug1898]

X2 glad you made it MP...

[cnypanfisher]

That is scary stuff right there, we had 5 inches fresh snow in Constantia today. I swear I know that gas pocket, it is just east of the trail they make from Borio's to Constantia on the lake every year. It is A big one, I thought it was on the map already.

[stasui]

Just a quick question to the locals. I fish the lake several times through the ice and have seen sketchy ice not sure if its a gapocket or not. My question  is year to year r they always in the same spot or do they move? Thanks for anyone that answers.

[H2O-32]

Is it posted on here?

https://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=278992.0

It is now, as well as the one reported today off Jewell. Thx Scout & NJMAR for the coordinates. I will double check these in the morning. Let me know if they don't show or don't appear right.

Glad you are O.K., by posting it here you may have helped others avoid it.

Recapping:
1.) Bring a spud and use it
2.) Bring picks and wear them
3.) Check the gasholes map in the link above on p.2 for the area(s) you intend to fish (or the navionics version) and be aware of any holes in those areas.

If there are any other gas holes y'all find post coordinates here and I will add them to the map. Thx.

[H2O-32]

Just a quick question to the locals. I fish the lake several times through the ice and have seen sketchy ice not sure if its a gapocket or not. My question  is year to year r they always in the same spot or do they move? Thanks for anyone that answers.

I was told they don't by some of the people here, and I researched it as well, they do not. See item 5 in link below.
http://lakeice.squarespace.com/gas-holes

[fishhooksul]

Glad you got out ok !! I am very familiar with that gas hole !! Almost went in it a couple years ago. It's usually in that general area. It wasn't that big a couple years ago, but we had better ice that year. CNY Tim, that's the same hole.
There's another big one just off the northern tip of Frenchmans island on the edge of the channel not far from bouy 133.

 Be safe out there !! A true wake up call for everyone !!  GLAD YOUR OK !!   Sully...

[Chowdaire]

Yeah. With the crap ice this year and now the snow and getting toward March they’re going to start opening up. Bad combination.