Ice Thickness?


6sixpoint_nobrows

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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.

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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".

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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.

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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.

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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.

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