[Valleye]

Hey all,

Just wanted to put this into your minds. If you guys are going to post about a body of water that you are ice fishing maybe it would be nice to include in your post the thickness of the ice and any safety concerns you may have about where you have fished.

You don't have to and it isn't required but it would be good info for the rest of the Ice Anglers.Thanks,

[Geo7455]

good idea....my posts have ice thickness included...also where on the lake you took the reading. north side 50 ft out ect. the whole lake isnt the same!!!

[mouse514]

What does everyone consider safe ice. Last year I was out on 3'' and did not feel to safe. After talking to others they felt safe on 3''. What does everyone think? I am planning to go out this weekend on what is now 3.25 inches about 20 feet from shore. Will the ice be thinner in deeper water? In thoughts would be helpful. Thanks.

[wsj_outdoorsman]

mouse514 wrote:

I am planning to go out this weekend on what is now 3.25 inches about 20 feet from shore. Will the ice be thinner in deeper water? In thoughts would be helpful. Thanks.

YES it will, most lakes freeze from the shore out......

wsj has no problem with 3" and does feel might safe on that amount if it's consistent though out the lake.

[Geo7455]

well depends where im at and the conditions. How long its been froze over, what temp is it now? if its really cold, zero or below and i feel safer. also depth and ease of escape if you do have a problem, but that just eases my mind alittle!!! a good 3 1/2 ill fish shallow and not walking alot to a spot.

[JTSoxFan]

i was at blackwell yesterday and going tomorrow and it was 3.5in and went to 3.75in tword the middle so it is pretty good.

[Geo7455]

sat 12/15 T channel off Pistakee.....7" in center. There was an open water crack right at the entrance of the lake. there where a few snowmobiles on the main lake...hope they didnt go through.

[Michigander Jr.]

Found this link to help with some safety

U.S. ARMY COLD REGIONS RESEARCH & ENGINEERING LABORATORY
Hanover, New Hampshire

SAFETY ON ICE -http://www.crrel.usace.army.mil/ierd/ice_safety/safety.html

Hope this helps!

[tinyfisher]

Really, there is no such thing as "safe" ice. I think a lot of it comes from experience, the more you're on the ice, the more you learn. If you are new, never be the first one on a spot. Use a spud bar if the ice is variable to find the thin spots before you go through. Carry Ice picks, rope, and boat cusion (when clipped to the end of the rope, it will float, making it easy to grab and hold on to). Pay Attention! You can learn a lot by watching the ice. I weigh almost 300 lbs, and have been out on 1.5" of "good" ice, but have also felt uneasy about being on 4" of "old" ice. Whatever you do, be safe, and have respect for what you are doing. Ice fishing can be a safe, enjoyable "hobby" (passion, lifestyle, obsession, etc.), but you have to be smart. And always be ready, just in case you, or someone else goes through. Good luck, and stay on top!

[Zhockey66Fish]

Same here, weigh 200lbs, and have been on 2" of ice, felt safe, you do have to be slow, and don't run if you hear the ice shifting, walk away slowly if you feel un-safe.

[capt. bill]

> 10-DAY WEATHER for Villa Park

Forecast Conditions High/Low °F Precip.
Chance High Temperatures Low Temperatures Precipitation Wind Speed
Tonight
Jan 3 Clear
N/A/18° 10%


High not valid after 2pm
Fri
Jan 4 Partly Cloudy
34°/26° 0%
34°F

Sat
Jan 5 Cloudy
37°/37° 20%
37°F

Sun
Jan 6 Few Showers / Wind
50°/50° 30%
50°F

Mon
Jan 7 Showers
52°/45° 40%
52°F

Tue
Jan 8 Showers
47°/31° 60%
47°F

Wed
Jan 9 Showers / Wind
43°/29° 40%
43°F

Thu
Jan 10 AM Clouds / PM Sun
32°/25° 10%
32°F

Fri
Jan 11 Mostly Cloudy
29°/22° 10%
29°F

Sat
Jan 12 Partly Cloudy
28°/20° 10%
28°F


Last Updated Jan 03, 6:52 PM CT Printable Forecast

With 4 days above freezing I would be very careful. I myself would not go out on the ice .Now that is just me but a lot of lakes around here are spring fed and have some kind of river or creek running into them. The rivers/ creeks worry me as they may bring the level of the lake up, depending on the melt, and that could weaken and fracture the ice .
Like I said that is just me. 8)

[Tramplar]

Ice on the ponds/ lakes in bolingbrook/romeoville area 10-12 inches. Thats as of March 2, 2008. SHould be good thru march if the weather doesnt get to warm.

[cantgetright]

i have friends that will go out on 1 inch of ice and they havnt fallen through yet. myself i make sure there is at least 2 inches of good ice before i go out. there have been occasions wehre i have used plywood do distribute the my weight so i could get out on an inch but the fishing has to be phenomonal for me to do that.

[Wi_slabman]

Im a Ice rescue technician for my fire department and what i was taught was that 3-5 inches was safe for a person
5-8 snowmobile or fourwheeler
8-12 small car light truck
12-+ fullsize trucks


thats pretty a pretty gutsy move goin out on less than 3 inches. but all of the thincknesses above depend on the ice makin weather and snow.

[RonG]

cantgetright wrote:

i have friends that will go out on 1 inch of ice and they havnt fallen through yet. myself i make sure there is at least 2 inches of good ice before i go out. there have been occasions wehre i have used plywood do distribute the my weight so i could get out on an inch but the fishing has to be phenomonal for me to do that.

For those venturing out on 1 or 2" of ice: You may be able to walk on it, but don't forget to consider where you'll be if you should take a spill. Nobody here's ever slipped and fallen on ice, right?

[Bubbalouie]

cantgetright wrote:

i have friends that will go out on 1 inch of ice and they havnt fallen through yet. myself i make sure there is at least 2 inches of good ice before i go out. there have been occasions wehre i have used plywood do distribute the my weight so i could get out on an inch but the fishing has to be phenomonal for me to do that.

Nice knowing you guys-

[Popeye]

RonG wrote:

Nobody here's ever slipped and fallen on ice, right?

Nope, not on a lake that is. Fallen and busted my azz on my own sidewalk a couple of times though. All about paying attention. I'm worried about falling on the lake that I take my time and be careful. Around the house I generally don't think of it and all of a sudden BAM!

[bflagup]

Good point ron, one slip and game over!

[Valleye]

JUST A REMINDER FOR ALL OF YOU ICE FISHING FANATICS. IF YOU DO HEAD OUT ON SOME BODY OF WATER AND IT IS A BODY OF WATER THAT YOU ARE GOING TO SHARE INFO PLEASE INCLUDE SAFETY INFORMATION SUCH AS:

1. ICE THICKNESS
2. HAZARDOUS AREAS, OPEN WATER
3. ANY OTHER SAFETY INFORMATION

I'D HATE TO HEAR OF ANYONE FALLING THROUGH.

THANKS AND BE SAFE THIS ICE FISHING SEASON!!!

[jackpine]

Great advice Val. A very important post.

Fran