Creature Feature – Ice Safety
Posted by Dustin Horton // February 3, 2025 // Articles, Creature Feature
Experienced ice anglers know that there’s “no such thing as safe ice.” Lake ice, depending on various factors including temperature, precipitation, current, and wind, can be unpredictable. Ice might be several inches thick in one place but just a few short paces away, weak or thin. Consider joining an online community forum to check out ice reports from other anglers, and always err on the side of caution by simply staying home if there’s any doubt about conditions.
A minimum of 4 inches of clear ice is advised for walking or fishing. When you head out ice fishing, never go alone, and be sure to carry a ‘spud’ – a heavy, metal ice chiseling tool — to test ice thickness as you go. This safety technique entails striking the ice in front of you as you walk along, taking care to hit it 3-4 times in one spot with consistent force each time. If water appears in the crack produced by the blows, it’s not safe. There are several how-to videos online showing this technique, which takes some practice to master.
Ice picks are another important piece of safety gear and should remain around your neck while you’re on the ice. You should also carry a throw rope and some sort of flotation device. Additionally, there are different kinds of outerwear available with “float assist” properties. Should you break through the ice, these items could save your life.
Learn more ice safety tips by visiting dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/ice-fishing.
Article by Margie Manthey
