Ice Safety
Never go on ice that you don't know anything about!
Is the Ice Safe?
- Stay away from stickups, like brush logs, plants or docks.
- Stay away from multiple pressure cracks.
- Spread out because crowds can add too much weight in the same area.
- Be extra careful on rivers and streams. The ice may look thicker than it really is, because moving water wears ice from underneath.
- Ice may not be the same thickness all over.
Even if the weather has been below freezing for several days, never guess about ice thickness because it does not form consistently across a water body.
Test the ice – never assume the ice is safe!
Always fish with another person.
New ice is usually stronger than older ice.
Avoid the shoreline if it is cracked or squishy.
Wind and currents can make ice unsafe.
Don’t gather in large groups.
Don’t drive vehicles onto the ice.
Don’t build a fire on the ice.
Bring blankets and a first-aid kit.
If you fall in, reach for solid ice, kick and roll to safety.
Make sure you study the ice safety chart so you know when it is safe to go on the ice!
ICE THICKNESS CAN SAFELY SUPPORT:
4 inches - 200 pounds
5 inches - 800 pounds
7 inches - 1,500 pounds
8 inches - 2,000 pounds