6sixpoint_nobrows Posted December 7, 2005 Report Share Posted December 7, 2005 how thick does the ice have to be before it is completly safe to walk on it, and/or drive a truck on it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldawg Posted December 7, 2005 Report Share Posted December 7, 2005 Re: Ice Thickness? I like a solid 3" before I'm real comfortable walking out there, but have gone out on 2" when I was alot lighter... I will not drive a truck out until there is at least 8" on the lake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggs Posted December 7, 2005 Report Share Posted December 7, 2005 Re: Ice Thickness? Wow balldawg, you got guts man. I normally wait until 5" to fish. But they do say 2" is "safe". Do a search online, you'll find some tables that let you know what's safe for different things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fisherguy Posted December 7, 2005 Report Share Posted December 7, 2005 Re: Ice Thickness? For an average sized man 1.5 -2 inches of good blue ice will hold you(with no room for error). The problem is if it is too cold the ice will be brittle and break easier. If you have 3 inches ( keep checking frequently) that is lots, and gives you a good safety margin. I walked on 1.5 inches lots( i am light and have big feet haha), but 3 sure makes if more relaxing. lol For a truck 10 inches is supposed to be safe, but don't take my word for it. I walk on 2 or less, run a snowmobile on 3 or 4, but i never drive my truck on the ice, even if there is 3 feet. For some reason that scares me more than walking on less. The mot important thing that once again cannot be stressed too much is checking ice frequently when it is thin, and knowing the area(current, springs, etc). So be aware, but as long as it is good ice and and you have 3 inches or more no need to worry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6sixpoint_nobrows Posted December 7, 2005 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2005 Re: Ice Thickness? the thought of driving my truck on the ice seems alright, but kinda scarey, i dont know what i would do if i lost my truck in the water...lol... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted December 7, 2005 Report Share Posted December 7, 2005 Re: Ice Thickness? I usually put the fish shack out when there's 5-6 inches. Sure you can walk on 2 inches, but you don't know if there is 2 inches all over the lake. There could be 2 inches in one spot and only 1/2" in another. If I go out on the lake when there is less than 4 inches, I check the ice thickness every 20 feet or so. I take the skidoo out when there's about 6-7". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted December 8, 2005 Report Share Posted December 8, 2005 Re: Ice Thickness? Ice is "NEVER" safe....I say that because you never know it's thickness over channels or springs etc... A resort owner drowned last year while plowing ice roads for ice fishing..he lived there ALL his life!!! I bet he thought it was safe too!.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted December 8, 2005 Report Share Posted December 8, 2005 Re: Ice Thickness? Take it from an ex-Coast Guardsmen who used to go walk on the ice to pull nitwits (not saying you're a nit wit), out of the water, there's all kinds of things to take into account, the first thing you should think about is the wind. Just plain don't go out on windy days if it's a big body of water, ponds are OK, but not big lakes, especially the great lakes. Other than that, you have to realize there's different kinds of ice. I wouldn't walk on 10 feet of brash ice, it's not stable at all. Now, fresh, new, blue ice, 3" is safe on calm days, and 6 to 9" for an ATV or light vehicle. But be careful. Wear a wet suit if you can, a Mustang at the very least, PFD, carry some rope with you and tie big nails in the ends of the rope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggs Posted December 8, 2005 Report Share Posted December 8, 2005 Re: Ice Thickness? Tominator makes some good points. There's a lot of different things to take into consideration, esp. on large lakes and def. on the great lakes. I've never even tried to fish Lake Erie when it's frozen, if I do, it will be with a guide. Wind is really important, and so is the amount of snow on top of the ice. Snow acts as insulation, and even if it's 5 degrees, if there's a lot of sun, it can penetrate the snow, heat it and the snow will trap that warmth making it soft. Be careful, and like Tominator said, always have a PDF on ya, even if you think it's safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitetailtrax Posted December 8, 2005 Report Share Posted December 8, 2005 Re: Ice Thickness? I cannot and never will be able to understand why anyone would ever drive a truck on the ice. There is no reason on earth to do it and nobody can convince me otherwise. If you have to have something to pull the ice house or whatever, then use a smaller/lighter vehicle like a 4-wheeler or snowmobile. Personally, I walk everywhere I ice fish often times pulling tons of gear and occassionally kids on a sled. If you need the warmth, then buy an ice house and a heater or find a different winter activity. Every year bar none a truck goes through the ice on one of our local reservoirs - it's completely crazy! Ice fishing is not worth dying for or losing a truck over. JMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted December 15, 2005 Report Share Posted December 15, 2005 Re: Ice Thickness? I like to have at least 6" before I walk on it. A foot before a 4 wheeler. Well over a foot before I drive on it. I used to do some crazy stuff when I was younger but now I have kids and I am more careful. Ranger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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