Ice Fishing Safety Tips

Check ice thickness
Fish with a partner
Carry a safety rope
Bring a spud

Ice fishing is a popular winter activity throughout the northern hemisphere that allows anglers to fish through holes drilled in the ice on frozen bodies of water. While it can be a fun and rewarding experience, it’s essential to take safety precautions to ensure a successful and safe trip. Here are some ice fishing safety tips to help keep you safe while ice fishing.

Check Ice Thickness

Check the ice thickness before venturing out. Always check how thick the ice is before heading out onto the ice. The minimum thickness for safe ice fishing is 4 inches, and 6 inches for snowmobiles or ATVs. You should never drive on ice, but a vehicle requires at least 12 inches of ice thickness if you have to. Be aware that ice doesn’t freeze uniformly. Ice may be 6 inches thick where you are now, but a few feet away could be only a couple of inches.

Dress Warmly

If there’s ice, it’s cold. But even if you don’t fall into the frigid water, you can still suffer frostbite and become hypothermic. Wear warm clothing in layers, including a waterproof outer layer, to protect yourself from cold and wet conditions. Wear a warm hat, gloves, and insulated boots to keep your extremities warm. Know the signs of hypothermia. Hypothermia is a serious condition where your body loses heat faster than it can produce. Symptoms of hypothermia include shivering, slurred speech, and confusion. If you or someone you’re with shows signs of hypothermia, get to a warm place immediately.

Bring Safety Equipment

Always carry a set of ice claws or a safety rope if you fall through the ice. It’s also a good idea to bring a cell phone or other means of communication in case of emergency. Take an ice spud to test the ice ahead of each step.

Fish With A Partner

It’s always safer to fish with a partner. If something goes wrong, you have someone there to help you. Similarly, it’s always good to tell someone where you’re going, how long you’ll be there, and when you’ll be back.