Safe Ice?

[fire-n-ice]

I want to hear what all you fishermen think safe ice is. How thick does it have to be to support a couple of guys with a shanty? Does open water play into safe ice conditions? Changing weather conditions when the ice is thin surely can be an issue. I want to compare my ideas of safe ice with the masses.

[jascpa099]

Like my grandpa always told me "No ice is SAFE ice." 

That said I won't fish on anything under 5-6 inches of good black ice.  Open water doesn't concern me if I know the body of water.  For example I know where a specific channel is then I know that that could stay open when back in the bay is solid.  I just use extra caution when getting "out there". 

[Icenutter]

Here in PA we do not get a very thick layer of ice like other states.  If we get a good 4 inches of clear ice guys are out in drones with their shanty's.  I will fish on 4 inches as long as it is clear and I know how the lake froze over.  I have fished on 3 inches of crystal clear, but i had a tight *ss all day. 

[therealjt]

fished 3.5" of white ice late season on a 50 + degree day. I was puckering all day, we would drill our holes and flip the shanty over and we would have water raising out of the holes from the ice sagging.

[fire-n-ice]

My father in law and i went to twin lakes a couple of years back. When we got to the boat ramp we noticed that there were truck tracks going out on the lake. I started to park the truck when my father in law said {What are you doing? Drive out there!}. I was a little nervous but as we got across the lake a little bit I saw a couple of light trucks and felt a little better. We drilled a hole about 60 yards from shore on the opposite side of the ramp. The ice was 6 inches thick!  I was super paranoid all day. Every time the ice cracked and poped I looked out to see if my 7500lb. truck was still there. We made it home safe! A couple of weeks later two men drown riding snowmobiles. They fell through the ice!

[jascpa099]

3 inches of crystal clear, but i had a tight *ss all day. 

I stopped going on those days...it just wasn't fun for me to be worried all day

[Coloradie]

I went to Antero a couple of years ago (November) and the ice was Four (4) inches thick. It was me and a buddy with a shelter (about 500lbs.). Well it warmed up to about 45 degrees thats when I became a little nervous! The lake started making very odd sounds under the hut - that's when I decided to leave and come back next week!

If I'm on a bucket I feel real comfortable on 4 inches. In the hut with a partner, I prefer 6 inches.

All this assumes good clear or black ice. 

[_colorado]

Two years ago  I was out at Witchers on 11 Mile when it just froze.  The ice was 3" thick but it was -28 degrees when we got to the lake at 5:30AM.  Because of the temperature, I knew the ice was growing all day.  I also brought my 5 foot spud bar with me which I used as a probe.  I'd kerchunk it with every step and could tell changes in either the ice quality or the thickness just be the way it sounded.  Sometimes I'd kerchunk the spud and the spot quickly got very wet - that made me walk in another direction. 

We actually made it out to Deer Island later that day and the ice was almost 4" thick when we left.  I'm not looking to repeat that but it was -28 at the start and only got up to around 0.  I wouldn't do it if it were any warmer than that.  But the spud bar, a self-rescuer and a rope in the sled (along with a partner who hung back) made me feel safe.

[mealworm]

i'll fish on 2.5'' of solid black ice if its still cold below freezing but if its warmer than freezing about 3'' of ''good ice''usually early ice isn't the problem its late ice that gets mr nervous,i'v been on a foot of honey combed ice and my buddy actually fell through while jogging to a flag it was like 50*that day

[fire-n-ice]

I fished 2 inches this weekend. I was so paranoid that it wasn't enjoyable. Yes 2 inches will hold a man and his gear. But is it worth it to be ultra paranoid all day..... no!

[landlockedsalmon]

I went through 16 inches of ice in a chevy pickup,with my 5 year old daughter with me.We made it out safely.But I now walk on the ice,everytime I go.It only takes once.It is very dark under there,Hard to find the hole too.LLS

[GotEmHooked]

I went through 16 inches of ice in a chevy pickup,with my 5 year old daughter with me.We made it out safely.But I now walk on the ice,everytime I go.It only takes once.It is very dark under there,Hard to find the hole too.LLS

         I FISHED 3 INCHES OF ICE ON THE SAGINAW RIVER.....VERY VERY SCARY!...they dont do a search and rescue they do a look for the body out on the bay!!!!

[wyowind]

Nothing less then three inches. Always edgey, stay close to shore. If water rises through cracks after I walk through time to split.

[thorzep]

         I FISHED 3 INCHES OF ICE ON THE SAGINAW RIVER.....VERY VERY SCARY!...they dont do a search and rescue they do a look for the body out on the bay!!!!

that is scary...if you go through..they wont find ya till spring!!!