Ice fishing dangers

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

In all seriousness, now that the temps have finally caught up with the date, I thought it might be time to share some tips, techniques and knowledge about how to keep it safe on the ice.  I'll start this one off.

NEVER ice fish alone

[Catt]

Drop the rod, reel the slack, & set the hook?

[northern_fisherman]

I live where ice fishing is actually a season.  It gets down to -20F regularly so we ice fish quite a bit in the winter.  I advise that no matter where you are make sure you check the thickness of the ice before you get into deeper water and also never ice fish alone!

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

I thought it might be time to share some tips, techniques and knowledge about how to keep it safe on the ice. I'll start this one off.

Drop the rod, reel the slack, & set the hook?

Not looking for generic fishing tips, looking for SAFETY related suggestions and discussion.

[Bankbeater]

Whatever clothes your wearing out on the ice, take a second pair.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Great link from the U.S. ARMY COLD REGIONS RESEARCH & ENGINEERING LABORATORY

Hanover, New Hampshire

Ice Safety

[deadeye32.]

when I was younger, my parents used to make me where my treestand harness with a rope tied to something on the bank(tree,post) it was a little frustrating on big lakes, but for ponds and pits where I usually go, it wasnt so bad.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Those are great  parents IMO.  

[NEBassMan]

I was just going to say, extra rope and blankets.  Fire starting equipment (lighter, matches, kindling) to warm up right away if you do happen to go in.

Jason

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Found a great tool.  Cheap, small, could save your life.

CHECH IT OUT

[Nick B]

How about use a canoe instead of a sled in case the ice does give you have something that floats

[llPa1nll]

You need to know the Ice. If your a rookie to Ice Fishing tag along with a seasoned Ice Fishermen. The dark solid/clear Ice is strong Ice. Ice that has layers of snow/ sleet or air trapped in it is very weak and you should be leery of going out onto it. I have heard stories of people going through Ice that was pretty thick but had layers of snow and weak ice.

[Valascus]

I have always heard a few things about what happens to ya when you go into the drink when it's that cold.

1st of all, you should check to make sure the ice you are fishing on is stable enough to handle MORE weight than you plan on exerting upon it. Better to be safe than sorry. Check the ice again after drilling your hole through it. Make sure it maintains it's integrity.

2nd of all always pack for the just in case instance. Like some peeps have already said, pack extra blankets, towels for drying yourself if ya go in, some sort of heat source (firewood, kindling, portable heater), some way to ignite said heat source, an extra change of clothes from your skivies all the way to your coat, a cell phone that is kept off your person (so it doesn't get wet if ya go in) so that you can call for assistance if necessary, and extra rope to help pull yourself out with. If you are fishing alone make sure the rope is secured to a stationary object that can bear your weight, and is tied to you with enough slack in the rope as to not cause injury upon a fall.

3rd, never ice fish alone. It's always good to have a buddy with ya in case ya go in. BUT, make sure your buddy keeps his/her distance from the ice you fell through since it has probably lost it's integrity. If they get too close they could end up in the drink with ya. Make sure they use a rope to help pull you out.

4th. Things to remember if you go in. DO NOT PANIC. When you fall in your body will immediately try to gasp due to the temperature shock. It is hard to do, but fight the instinct to do so...your life may depend on it. Try your best to keep your head above water to minimize this from happening. Water that cold in your lungs will kill you quickly. Try to keep your wits about you and do not use more energy than you need to to stay afloat. Water that cold saps the bodies energy VERY VERY quickly. Try to get a firm hold on a stable piece of ice at the edge of the hole you fell through. Remember to try to keep your legs moving, but do not kick furiously as you will waste energy needed to remove yourself. This is where having a buddy who can throw you a rope come in very very handy. While grasping the rope, use your legs and kick as hard as you can while pulling yourself with your arms. If you fail do not continue to kick. Regain your composure and prepare for another attempt. When you do get out, remember to crawl on your hands and knees since the ice below you could be unstable and crawling distributes your weight better and lowers the chances of it giving way under you.

5th. Get out of all wet clothes as fast as possible, get dry, warm, put clothes back on, and call medical help, no matter if you were only in the water for a short period of time. A thorough medical examination will make sure no water has gotten into your lungs and will identify any symptoms of hypothermia.

[bassnleo]

Be aware of falling water levels under the ice. On certian dam controlled lakes around here it is not uncommon for the water level to be drawn further down after the surface freezes. Although it has never happened to me, I have had friends who walked onto the ice to their fishing spots, drilled a hole, then discovered that the water was many feet below the ice, as much as 10 feet on one occurrence.  I'd probably drop dead from shock if that happened to me....

Be safe out there!

[Raul]

The only danger I 'm aware about while ice fishing is ........ you can choke with an ice cube in your mouth.  ;D

[SPEEDBEAD.]

I am not a big ice fisherman, but I do go out in the cold during hunting season....remember, while alcohol might make you feel warm it lowers your inhibitions, decreases your awareness and does nothing to make your body warmer (lowers your core temp, if I recall correctly).

Wayne

[Hawg_Hunter]

Here is some very good info in case you do fall thru the ice.  http://www.exn.ca/video/?Video=exn20020325-icewater.asx

Darrin

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Excellent Hawg!  Video really helps illustrate it better.

FYI-Darrin is also the guy that told me about the ice picks last year.

[cart7t]

My best safety suggestion is to just stay home. It's cold out there and you want to go stand on some Ice?  What, are you crazy?  

[Long Mike]

Never set your hot toddy on the ice.

[LilBassMan]

Always stop in at a local bait shop and chat up whoever is there about ice conditions. They likely have very good and reliable info.

Stay far far away from dams or power plant inlets.

Those picks are pretty good to have around as well. Just make sure you're wearing them correctly. (cable through sleeves joining them together, like your mittens on a string from your youth)

We don't worry too much up here (Northern Minnesota). The ice generally gets pretty thick pretty fast. This year was strange with warmer temps, but lately ice has been great!

[NATHAN_JAMES]

Just to add some if not all fire dept,especially rural dept, can tell you if and how safe the ice is if your not sure.  They  keep track because they're the ones that are usually first responders should someone fall through.

[Garnet]

I'm just puting my ice fishing stuff together to start tommorrow.

If you do this foolish stuff enough make yourself a good spud.

Mine is 8 inch spring steel cut a slate up the middle of 1 inch pipe 18 inches long. Melt some lead into the pipe 2 lbs (rember you will be 1 handing it) now get piece of pipe that fits over the 1 inch to just above waist hite put a T. Sharpen the spring steel.

Now you got to use it 3 hits in 1 spot and you are good. Check often.

This is not a pry bar spring steel will break but for checking ice nothing beats it.

Garnet

[=Matt 5.0=]

Russ, great idea for a thread! When I was 10, a friend and I were out on a local pond, (Green Acres in Moosup Valley) he was about 10-15 ft away from me when I broke through and went under. To this day I vividly remember being under the ice and seeing him reach under and pull me out. You are 100% right, NEVER go out on the ice alone.

[Garnet]

Just put my stuff in the new floater suit.

Get a compass and pin it on your floater suit. White outs are bad but fog is the worst. You don't need to plot a course just what way is shore.

Ice spikes good pair $20 never used mine and never with out them.

Rope on your slieghs. You see guys with little stock ropes. Buy a least 100 ft rope and thread all the way around. Just drill holes. I only saved 1 guy about 10 -12 years ago just slid my sliegh out to him and pulled him out.

Flash light I carry 2 a normal throw away and little pen light one on a shoe lace. Just bought a new Stanley tripod one.

This stuff is allways in my floater suit.

Garnet