Ice Safety Chart

tchow · #1 10-28-2009, 06:46 PM

The topic of "Safe Ice" always comes up at the beginning of every Hardwater season.
Here's a link that gives you a "basic guide to Safe Ice Thickness"

http://www.dot.gov.nt.ca/_live/pages...formation.aspx

Bear in mind that "No ice is ever Safe Ice". Ice doesn't form evenly and different factors comes in mind when it comes to Ice thickness such as Pressure Ridges, Cracks, etc. Snow even acts as an insulation to keep Ice from forming more.
I've seen at Pine where the Ice was over 2 ft thick and a Truck went over a Pressure crack at Mach 3. The front went over fine, but the Rear end sunk into the crack up to his Axle...
Play it safe Guys and Gal , no fish is worth your life......Have a safe Hardwater season

SCRUB · #2 10-28-2009, 07:04 PM

Tchow..................thanks for posting very good information

Cowtown guy · #3 10-29-2009, 09:23 AM

Great little reminder there tchow.
One other thing to remember is to take it slow. Too many people fly over the ice like its a race. Vehicles make a wave under the ice. This can be seen as people drive past you by the water level in your hole fluctuating. If the vehicle passes the wave which is typically ahead it, the ice can crack in the void that is left.
Play safe!

Hunter Trav · #4 10-29-2009, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowtown guy

One other thing to remember is to take it slow. Too many people fly over the ice like its a race.

x 1000000 I hate these guys that figure that because the lake is frozen they can drive Mach 10 anywhere they want. Not only are they a danger to themselves, but also to those around them. But ignorance is bliss I guess...

WayneChristie · #5 10-29-2009, 05:15 PM

YUP pressure waves are a fun thing

BTW, is it ok to run like He!! back to the shore if your hole is less than 3 inches thick?

I dont think I can estimate thickness until I drill thru.

BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES · #6 10-29-2009, 07:50 PM

Awesome Link Terry .

Quote:

Originally Posted by WayneChristie

YUP pressure waves are a fun thing

BTW, is it ok to run like He!! back to the shore if your hole is less than 3 inches thick?

I dont think I can estimate thickness until I drill thru.

This is why you drill test holes .

WayneChristie · #7 10-29-2009, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIGBADJOHN

Awesome Link Terry .

This is why you drill test holes .

I will send you out first, if you dont go thru no way I will

my favorite spot is only a couple feet deep til you get right to the honey hole anyways, if I go thru I can just walk out.

BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES · #8 10-29-2009, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WayneChristie

I will send you out first, if you dont go thru no way I will

my favorite spot is only a couple feet deep til you get right to the honey hole anyways, if I go thru I can just walk out.

Yep . I know even if theres 3 feet of ice i dont feel safe I ither walk on or take the Quad , no more driving on for this fella .

tchow · #9 10-29-2009, 08:41 PM

Here's a couple of great Vid's to watch in regards to Ice Safety.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPd2h9nv_U4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysnKtuUTt8k

WayneChristie · #10 10-30-2009, 12:28 AM

thanks for the links Terry, not going to let the wife see them, cant get her on the ice as it is

first time she hears a crack shes long gone!

tchow · #11 10-30-2009, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WayneChristie

thanks for the links Terry, not going to let the wife see them, cant get her on the ice as it is

first time she hears a crack shes long gone!

Once we were at Big Mac with a tent setup. Ice was about 12" and off in the distance, it sounded like the rumbling of Thunder. The sound was coming closer and louder. Next thing we knew, the Ice beneath us shook ! There was 3 of us in the tent and we looked at each other after it passed.
First words that came out was WT#...LOL What an experience that was.
Likely it was an upheave off in the distance and we experienced the shock wave.
Too bad did not have it on Vid as it would have been awesome to show! Good thing it did not cause any pressure cracks or ridges where we were..

Wulfespirit · #12 10-30-2009, 06:16 PM

Lots of paranoia around!

If you know the body of water you're on (ie. know where the soft spots might be) and drive slowly on 12 or more inches, there's no reason to get that life insurance policy before you go. The vast majority of accidents occur from twits flying around unknown locations.

One thing I've always been curious about.. when you're on an aerated lake.. about what distance do you need to be from the aerator to have 4 .. 8.. or 12 inches of ice. I've only ice fished on an aerated body once.. just on foot. There was a good 16 inches under us but nobody dared get any closer to the open water around the aerator... we were about 300 yards away from it. I wonder how much closer the 16 inches would've been maintained.

WayneChristie · #13 10-30-2009, 06:21 PM

I was on Sylvan the one time, and a huge crack suddenly appeared right between my legs. with a very loud noise. considering there were probably 100 vehicles right up to a huge motorhome in the area I was pretty nervous. I was catching big perch tho so I stuck around, I figured if the motorhome didnt go thru my butt wasnt going to either

tchow · #14 10-30-2009, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wulfespirit

Lots of paranoia around!

If you know the body of water you're on (ie. know where the soft spots might be) and drive slowly on 12 or more inches, there's no reason to get that life insurance policy before you go. The vast majority of accidents occur from twits flying around unknown locations.

One thing I've always been curious about.. when you're on an aerated lake.. about what distance do you need to be from the aerator to have 4 .. 8.. or 12 inches of ice. I've only ice fished on an aerated body once.. just on foot. There was a good 16 inches under us but nobody dared get any closer to the open water around the aerator... we were about 300 yards away from it. I wonder how much closer the 16 inches would've been maintained.

The only safe way is to drill a bunch of test holes and not to test your luck.
I stay away from fishing Aerated Pot holes. Ice doesn't form evenly and especially when there is continual opening and reforming of Ice happening.

Drano · #15 11-01-2009, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tchow

The topic of "Safe Ice" always comes up at the beginning of every Hardwater season.
Here's a link that gives you a "basic guide to Safe Ice Thickness"

http://www.dot.gov.nt.ca/_live/pages...formation.aspx

Bear in mind that "No ice is evPlay it safe Guys and Gal , no fish is worth your life......Have a safe Hardwater season er Safe Ice". Ice doesn't form evenly and different factors comes in mind when it comes to Ice thickness such as Pressure Ridges, Cracks, etc. Snow even acts as an insulation to keep Ice from forming more.
I've seen at Pine where the Ice was over 2 ft thick and a Truck went over a Pressure crack at Mach 3. The front went over fine, but the Rear end sunk into the crack up to his Axle...
Play it safe Guys and Gal , no fish is worth your life......Have a safe Hardwater season

Drano