What’s “Wow Time?” Walk on water time. That’s right, another ice fishing season is underway, and the gang is out walking on the hard water in search of an assortment of fish. I haven’t been out yet, but I know that there are people out on several area lakes, and I’m hoping to join them soon. What concerns me, however, is the safety factor when it comes to venturing out on the ice. When I started ice fishing back in the ’60s, we would rarely see anybody else on the ice, but all that has changed over the years, and it’s not at all unusual to see 50-100 people out on any given weekend once the season is in full swing. Most of those fishermen are probably aware of the potential hazards of venturing out onto a frozen lake, but every year, you will read or hear about someone going through and drowning.
I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating: make sure the ice is safe before you head out. What is considered safe ice? Four inches of good, hard, clear ice is generally considered safe, at least for small gatherings. If there is a large group with lots of equipment gathered in close range, six inches might be a better number. The problem, however, is that lakes don’t always freeze uniformly; that is, some areas will freeze quicker than others on the same lake. For that reason, it is very risky to just head out across a lake towards other ice fishermen, assuming that a straight line is safe. It might be a safe route, but it’s also possible that safe ice may not be along the entire route. One lake we frequently fish has 3-4 inches of good ice in the small, narrow cove, but the main lake is still open water. This becomes even more dangerous if the main lake forms a thin one-inch layer and a light covering of snow covers everything.
So, how do you avoid these potential hazards? If you are new to ice fishing, I highly recommend going with some experienced ice fishermen the first couple of times, especially those who are very familiar with the lake you are fishing. Even then, that’s no guarantee, but it’s a good start. Those of us who have been in the ice fishing business for a while usually will be found wearing one of the newer ice fishing outfits that are warm and comfortable, but more importantly, they will keep you afloat if you accidentally go through. You will still get wet, but you should stay afloat. Also, you should have a pair of spikes on a lanyard around your neck, so they’re easy to reach and can grip the ice to help pull you out. If you don’t have one of the floating-type outfits, it’s a good idea to wear a life vest. I know they are bulky and can get in the way, but they could save your life. Obviously, slipping on a sheet of ice is pretty common, so something else I highly recommend for added safety is a pair of ice cleats; they have saved the day on many occasions.
When it comes to ice fishing, safety is something to be very concerned about, and these are things you should be aware of before heading out. Certainly, dressing properly for the cold is important, but most of us are already well aware of how to handle it. A pair of good, well-insulated boats goes a long way to adding to your comfort, and you may want to take a couple of those hand warmers along as well.
Well, there is a lot more equipment you will want to add if you plan to get into the ice-fishing business, but I’ll save that for some additional writing. In the meantime, be safe when “walking on the water”.
Correction: In last week’s article, “Can You Still Get That Buck?” the December 30 date for the end of the regular firearms season was incorrect. The regular firearms season closed on December 13.
