Safe ice

[IceGnome]

What is the best way to test the ice to see if it is strong enough to fish on?

[Robb]

I just usually walk out a little ways in shallow water and cut a hole. 2" or better is ok for me, depends on your tolerance for thin ice.

Robb

[diehard22]

Just because the ice is safe every 20ft for 200ft doesn't mean you should stop checking.
And just because people are out on their fourwheelers doesn't mean the ice is safe everywhere.
This past weekend the owner of a lodge on a lake my sister lives on put out the ice shacks. ''Tourists'' renting the cabins were out skidooing around at night in -20C and found out that really deep holes don't form ice over them as quickly as other places. They got out alive but probably wont forget that again.

[Robb]

Just because the ice is safe every 20ft for 200ft doesn't mean you should stop checking.
And just because people are out on their fourwheelers doesn't mean the ice is safe everywhere.
This past weekend the owner of a lodge on a lake my sister lives on put out the ice shacks. ''Tourists'' renting the cabins were out skidooing around at night in -20C and found out that really deep holes don't form ice over them as quickly as other places. They got out alive but probably wont forget that again.

Very good advice!

Also every lake is different. Personally I've never been swimming in January and I don't want to start.

Robb

[pikie]

Walk with a spud, and hit the ice with it the whole way out.  Keep stopping to check the actual thickness, but if the ice holds up to a good wack with the spud, then you're good.  If it does go though with one hit, stop and slowly back up until you find good ice again.  I've been fishing first ice for a long time this way, and never been though (knock on wood).  I also don't fish in areas with current early...

[Rat-Man]

Right now on the Saginaw River in Saginaw MI, there are people on the river fishing. But not far from them the river is open and there is a strong current in the River. Is it worth the risk for a fish, I don't think so!

[crappieslayer22]

send some out biger than you haha no..that would be bad just drill a buch of holes...

[Pasquatch]

Just keep drilling holes and checking the ice every 30 feet.

Just take your time and be careful.

[1TIGGER]

I just usually walk out a little ways in shallow water and cut a hole. 2" or better is ok for me, depends on your tolerance for thin ice.

Robb

Not questioning your method but I wouldn't trust that !
Ice always starts in the shallows therefore should be the thickest ice all season under normal conditions .
Just use a spud and go home dry !

[Big Burk]

we send the heaviest person out on first and last ice in the front of the group. then the second biggest person follows with a rope then whoever else is out follows behind with the gear. since im the heaviest person out of my friends im always first and every couple steps i take a whack at the ice with a heavy axe because i dont own a spud yet. only been through once but that was really shallow area that had a spring close to it.

[swantucky]

Early and unfamilar ice I spud and drill.  Spud 20'30' drill to verify thickness, repeat.  IMO on 1st ice I would rather foget my bait, beer,  and Vex before I would want to forget my spud.

[pikie]

Early and unfamilar ice I spud and drill.  Spud 20'30' drill to verify thickness, repeat.  IMO on 1st ice I would rather foget my bait, beer,  and Vex before I would want to forget my spud.

Me too!!!  Just make sure not to lend your spud out to a certain iceshanty moderator the year before!   Had to go buy one to make sure.  I just don't feel safe or adventurous without it.