Ice "growth" standard?

[Bowhunter57]

Is there a such thing as an ice "growth" standard?

What I mean is... If the weather temperatures are below freezing for 10 days in a row, will the ice get thicker by a 1/4" or a 1/2" a day?

I've never been ice fishing, so how do you know when it's safe to walk out on the ice and auger a hole to see if it's safe to fish? This may seem like a silly question, but as you can see by my post number...I'm new to this sport.

Thank you, Bowhunter57

[blufloyd]

Spud bars, read up on the use.  If a newbie don't be a dead one. Follow don't lead.

No, ice is not safe. Neither are bathrooms, automobiles, or ex lovers.

[Captain1978]

Yup spud bar or ice bar. Never just walk out on ice to check it. Ice forms at different rates at different places. there are a lot of factors that go into it. Water temp,wind,current you get the idea. Iv'e been overnite in our shanty and there was def another inch by the next day.( Given I was there for about 24 hours.)  Everyone has their own technique for checking for safe ice. This is mine. I take my ice bar and slam it into the ice 2 times. If my ice bar does not go thru I continue a few feet and repeat. I'll drill my first hole and check out how much ice I have. If it's new ice and no one has been out I'll do this all along my path(s) until I feel secure. If I do see other people out I still give a few wacks with the bar. If you are new i would NOT go alone. You should go with someone who knows what their doing. They can show you the ropes. Point out what good ice looks and bad ice looks like. Even so never go by looks. That is just a first indicator. Always check the ice unless you have previously been there and the weather hasn't changed much. Rain is the number one killer of ice. Hope I could help you out buddy. I'm sure a few others will chime in with their thoughts. Welcome aboard. You'll learn a lot and make some friends along the way.

[Gorilla]

Someone had posted this before... but like Captain said there are many factors that can effect ice formation.  So it is best to check with a spud bar.

[Bowhunter57]

Thank you, for the replies and advice. I have access to a 1" piece of rerod that I'll heat and flatten and/or put a point on one end and make it into a spud bar. This will get me headed in the right direction, toward checking the ice thickness.

I've already talked to a co-worker that's been out on a local lake that he says it has 3" to 4" of ice. He's been catching bluegills and crappies. I'll have to check out the local farm ponds, as I don't trust the lake waters he's on, this early in the season.

At least the farm ponds that I fish, don't have currents to vary the ice thickness.

Good fishing, Bowhunter57