Ok... I decided to make another Cunningham Falls State Park trip a few days after I saw it during the last snow storm.... DISCLAMER... I knew the ice wasn't safe....
So I drove there (2/5/21) without my fishing gear BUT with my STRIKER ice suit / flotatiion included.... just to see what the conditions were.... I knew I was going to fall through the ice, just didn't know when. I wasn't concerned. I fell through about 5ft from shore... in 6' of water.... My toes never got wet... I walked on water as soon as it happened. Again I was prepared with my PFD, rope/picks and striker suit(built in flotation).... dont do what I did... I was testing myself rescue and my self rescue technics....
That being said, I never condone anyone walking out on un-safe ice conditions.... BE PREPARED..... have a PFD, an ice suit with built in flotation like the Striker Ice Suit, Ice picks and s rope... Again I knew I was going through the ice and knew I'd self rescue....
I'll be in Deep Creek next weekend and hopefully more eastern lakes after that.
Everyone stay safe and practice/think about rescue plans to stay safe ALL SEASON LONG