How Thick of ice before you fish?

[saintsix]

I know everyone kinda has there own limit, im curious to see how many inch's of ice people fish on. Also when trying out new areas that nobody has been on, how far apart do you test your thickness holes?

Walking with just gear:
Driving a quad/snow mobile towing fish Hut:
Driving a full size Truck:

[Wild&Free]

Originally Posted by saintsix

I know everyone kinda has there own limit, im curious to see how many inch's of ice people fish on. Also when trying out new areas that nobody has been on, how far apart do you test your thickness holes?

Walking with just gear:
Driving a quad/snow mobile towing fish Hut:
Driving a full size Truck:

I feel safe on 6 inches of ice for walking add another 6" for each catagory

[Hunter Trav]

Walking, 2". But I'm only in shallow, and if I fall through, its just an inconvienence, and really f'ing cold...

[duffy4]

When I was a younger fool, I was hunting west of Edm in late Nov. I ended up at one of the stocked lakes out there Hassie I think. I had some line and hooks in my truck so I took my jack-all and started walking out on the ice, smaking it with the heavy jack-all every once in awhile. i could see the cracks radiate out and see how much ice was there. One time I hit the ice and the jack-all went right through. I tapped around that hole to make it big enough to fish through and lay on the ice jigging a spoon for awhile. Not sure there was an inch of ice.

Now I don't do such things. I like to see someone else is or has driven out with a sled or quad, then I will walk on it.

[fishdude17]

I am probably way over-cautious, but I wait until 8-10" of ice for walking on and well over 12" to take my quad on.

[C & C]

Originally Posted by Wild&Free

I feel safe on 6 inches of ice for walking add another 6" for each catagory

X2, though I try to never drive on the ice just walk.

[Wild&Free]

Originally Posted by C & C

X2, though I try to never drive on the ice just walk.

Ya, I ususally don't drive out either, but when I do there's usually far more then just 18". I've been out with my dad a few times on that much ice and he only drove a s-10 at the time. I felt safe. Same lake 3 weeks of cold weather later had a truck broken through the ice near the shore where access was, you just never know.

[jacenbeers]

I have fished on 1-2 inches of ice but I made sure it was in really shallow water and I took precautions to ensure I was safe. I will walk freely on 6 inches and I will drive onto 20+ inch.

[Guitarplayingfish]

Typically I will fish 2-4" of ice at the start of the year... Done 2" quite a few times, but I am super careful.. as as people say, if I fall it it will be really shallow water.

[recce43]

i take my buddy who is 20lbs heavier than me and make him go on the ice first and jump up and down if he doesn't break threw i go ice fishing ... but 2" is min for me lol

[KoldFusion]

From the regs.

USE CAUTION ON ICE
The following guidelines do not override your obligation to use
caution and common sense when travelling on ice:
Careful measurement of ice thickness is important – always test ice
conditions. Never walk on ice that is less than 10 cm (4 in.) thick
and do not drive on ice that is less than 30 cm (12 in.) thick.
Beware of ice near the inlets or outlets of streams. Always be extra
cautious of ice on rivers and streams. Ice can vary in thickness and
in strength from area to area because of temperature, water current,
springs, snow cover and time of year. Do not drive fast, or follow
closely behind or park near another vehicle on the ice. Ask
someone who knows the area about ice conditions and places to
avoid. Use caution and stay away from aeration sites. Anglers are
encouraged not to fish near aerators for their safety and to prevent
lines tangling the units and damaging them. Please remove all ice
fishing huts prior to spring breakup.

[Richard B.]

fished on 4" clear ice on PCR last year but did not go far from shore - several other folks had been fishing there first

[ice]

I'll walk on 4 but I feel better on 6

[jacenbeers]

Originally Posted by Richard B.

fished on 4" clear ice on PCR last year but did not go far from shore - several other folks had been fishing there first

That was probably myself and Newfie Mike. We fished there super early last year by the bridge on the North side.

[fishinggeek]

I followed the tracks of a big 2500 diesel truck i could see on the ice.
drove up about 100yds from him and drilled a hole. Prob only 6inch of ice
Well i was already there so we started fishing and a car drove up becide my truck and asked how the fishing was.
At least we layed waist to the splake that day. Truck never did fall threw. lol. Wont be doing that again. Ill be waiting for at least 12-14inch to drive on. 4 inch to walk on.

[Guitarplayingfish]

Originally Posted by KoldFusion

From the regs.

USE CAUTION ON ICE
The following guidelines do not override your obligation to use
caution and common sense when travelling on ice:
Careful measurement of ice thickness is important – always test ice
conditions. Never walk on ice that is less than 10 cm (4 in.) thick
and do not drive on ice that is less than 30 cm (12 in.) thick.
Beware of ice near the inlets or outlets of streams. Always be extra
cautious of ice on rivers and streams. Ice can vary in thickness and
in strength from area to area because of temperature, water current,
springs, snow cover and time of year. Do not drive fast, or follow
closely behind or park near another vehicle on the ice. Ask
someone who knows the area about ice conditions and places to
avoid. Use caution and stay away from aeration sites. Anglers are
encouraged not to fish near aerators for their safety and to prevent
lines tangling the units and damaging them. Please remove all ice
fishing huts prior to spring breakup.

If you know the water body well enough and you take all necessary precautions you can minimize risk. Last year buddy and I fished on 2 inches at a reservoir.. It took us about 1 1/2 hrs just to decide the spot we were going to fish for safety purposes.. We aren't going out there all willy-nilly stomping on a few inches. Safety comes first.

[AppleJax]

I will walk on 2-3 inches over shallow water. 12 inches i will drive my truck, as long as the ice is clear. I always drill a test hole before driving. One thing to consider is the quality of the ice. If its 12 inches but white ice, I will not drive on. Black/clear ice=good, white ice=bad.

[C & C]

My worry isn't usually that my truck will fall through on its own its when theres been 30 plus hols drilled in an area and some hot shot drives by at 60-100km/hr.

[Guitarplayingfish]

I avoid driving on the ice... There are plenty of good options within walking distance.

[npauls]

I was out 2 years ago on 1.5" of ice.

I had my floater suit on and was in some shallow water. I was very cautious and pretty nervous but we punched some holes and fished for the day with no problems.

If I am fishing thin ice I make sure I know the water body I am fishing on and don't get past waist deep.

[slivers86]

This is just a guideline but personally I feel quite comfortable with this erring on the high side. There are many factors besides weight. Not just ice conditions but distribution of weight.

A 2000 lb 4 wheel vehicle distributes weight more evenly than a 2000 lb unicycle. Same as a 200 lb man laying on a sheet of plywood vs. standing on his feet. Speed can also be a factor. Too fast and too heavy and you can create waves under the ice. However, if i slowly drove over you toes in boots with a 1/2 ton, it might not even hurt. However, if I parked on them, would be a whole different story.

Common sense will usually prevail.

~ Tacklerunner

[FishingFrenzy]

Walk on 5-6", snowmobile on 8-10", drive on no less than 20".

Better safe than sorry.

I kind of want to take my 14ft aluminum out on 1-2 inches and drill holes from inside the boat, jig away.

[strongbow]

My rule of thumb for walking is 8"+

As for driving - Never. I would take a quad if I had one but I don't so I just park my truck and walk. Often I am the lone vehicle in the parking lot while everyone else had driven out on the ice. Doesn't matter to me though as I am not comfortable driving my vehicle on the ice. Also the walk is good for me and my dog .

[Sundancefisher]

know the water... springs, currents, creeks, weed beds all play a part in localized ice thickness. Take precautions and fish with a buddy. In unknown areas that a throw rope.

[Sooner]

I have fallen through at a spring on Lac Lanonne with sleds. Scary. Since then i wait for lots of ice before I drive on. Pine lake years ago, late december. 3 guys in a ranger cruising along to where others were fishing. Not going fast but had the feeling of a k days ride. Stop and get out. Drill a hole with the 6 inch hand auger. Through in seconds. Look at my buddy and we both knew "oh crap" checked the ice, 4 inches. I think that k day feeling was the wave. Back into the truck, straight for shore and parked. Walked back out a ways and fished. Lots of bigger vehicles were out and going way faster across the ice. It's amazing what ice can support. Ever been to the pigeon lake derbys where they park hundreads of trucks side by side.

[tight line]

is this thick enough??? lol i dont walk on any less than 6. Drive on 12+. usually wait till someone else has drove on, once it is close to driveable. definately gotta know the lake your fishing to be comfortable. lots of lakes have springs/ methane springs, or just dont have good ice. i always punch a feeler hole before proceding. i was on two feet of slightly dead ice here! love this pic lol!

[BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES]

2 feet . Is when Ill go on , but will no longer be going on . Selling all my ice fishing gear just to busy these days . So why not let someone else have it .

[fishinggeek]

Originally Posted by tight line

is this thick enough??? lol love this pic lol!

Your welcome. Lol. U guys were very brave that day.

[mayuan]

Walk on 6" and drive on 16". I always wait for someone else to drive on first.

[pikergolf]

When I was a lad the rule was 2" for walking and 4" for driving. I've walked on 2" lots, but never trusted 4" for driving, always waited for around 7". Now I doubt I would drive under 12". Bear in mind this is good hard early ice, late in the season 20" can be unsafe.